Fighting fit? It’s only fair

doweshowbellyad=0; Kareena Kapoor in Tashan.Forget the guys with their six-pack and eight-pack abs. In Mumbai tinseltown the beauties seem to be getting into the fitness mode with a vengeance.
As if in a bid to outdo their male counterparts even in action-packed stunt shots, Bollywood hotties are shedding extra kilos, toning up their bodies and looking fitter than ever before.Everyone from Kareena Kapoor who���s a 50 kilo, to Bipasha Basu and Priyanka Chopra who���ve added muscle power to their already toned shapes to even item diva Rakhi Sawant, who trimmed down for a film, the babe brigade seem keen to grab more limelight in their forthcoming films, and perhaps steal some thunder from the male superstars too. Newcomers Deepika Padukone and Shriya Saran are also seriously gearing up for the trim-slim action mode.
So what has prompted our divas to go for image/physique makeover all of a sudden? Why do nubile nymphs of the 35 mm have to match up to the well-built super fit heroes?
It seems the script demands ���fitter��� and more agile female stars. As film director Apoorva Lakhia puts it, ���with a lot of new film-makers coming up with action movie concepts, the industry is definitely looking at upgrading the level of action scenes. If Hollywood actresses can do stunt scenes, our actresses should also be able to follow suit sometimes. I have sent Shriya in ���Mission Istanbul��� for a three-month long training for horse riding, skating and karate scenes. I am sure many other directors must be doing the same and that reflects the changing perceptions about a leading lady.���
Not that the fairer sex is complaining. Actress Priyanka Chopra feels ���great��� that ���women are getting more weightage in the storyline. It is vital to be fit,��� she believes. We ask her how much effort had she put into her action scenes and she has this to say, ���quite a bit actually. In fact, for two of my movies ��� Drona and Don, I had undergone training in martial art forms like Tai-Chi and Gatka. I had to practise using kirpans and chakkars. I am lucky to have a genetically flexible body and can do the toughest stretches with ease but I do make an effort to remain fit.���
Mickey Mehta, health guru to stars like Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta and Preity Zinta offers an insight, ���almost everybody from the film industry I have trained lately is looking for an atheletic and strong look. That seems to be what the script demands. Doing a stunt scene creates a buzz about the scene. Most actresses these days want an athletic look and work for it.��� Mickey tells us that although fitness is a constant endeavour but stunt specific objectives are mostly tackled by bringing up the stamina and overall strength.
���Actresses are concentrating a lot more on fitness than ever before. While mostly abs, shoulder, thighs and lower back require to be worked upon; it is basically an ���ideal body��� that is the aspiration,��� says fitness specialist Leena Mogre. Rakhi Sawant who has recently reshaped to her leaner self admits, ���It���s the tough woman look that sells these days. It does take a lot of effort and time to shape up to the required shape. The need of the hour is a ���muscular body��� and you have to acquire one if you want to survive in the race.���Athletic is the way, it seems!