Ruslaan’s guide? Schwarzenegger!

It’s not a new thing for an actor to start working out for a film. But then, it’s also true that most of them have their trainers to thank once they’ve built up their bodies. But this is one actor who’s gone for a severe body-building regime, sans any instructor! Ruslaan Mumtaz has built up some wonderfully toned six-pack abs, all on his own, for his upcoming movie Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. He says, “I’m playing a superstar in the movie and the character is inspired by Salman Khan. So obviously, I had to show off a well-built body. But when I spoke to some instructors, most of them told me about taking supplements and other artificial things that totally put me off, and I decided to do without the instructors.” So how did he manage to build those abs? “It was Arnold Schwarzenegger who came to my rescue,” comes the prompt reply. Did we hear that right? He says, “Oh yes, you did. So what if he was not there in person? I started with watching his workout videos. But then, by the time I’d reach the gym, certain bits would skip my mind. So I bought his book which I would carry along with me to the gym. In fact, the other people working out there would also, at times, come up to me asking for tips.” Wasn’t it a rather risky thing to follow a self-help book all by yourself? “I would say doing physical exercises naturally is much better than taking artificial supplements! And anything natural is always the best. Many people might like to take shortcuts, but I prefer working hard. And the world is witness to the results of the exercises prescribed by him, whether it’s to do with him... or very soon, me!” he adds.