Vicky Kaushal Trained by Kris Gethin for Chhaava : What Most People Never Saw

Now that Chhaava is done and dusted, and the noise around transformations has settled a bit, it feels like the right time to talk about what actually went into Vicky Kaushal’s physical preparation for the film. 

Not the abs. Not the numbers. Not the Instagram posts.

The part people don’t usually see.

Whenever a big action film goes on floors, we all know what happens. 

Actors lock in. Diets tighten. Training schedules get brutal. 

Bollywood has seen this cycle many times before – Hrithik Roshan, Ranveer Singh, John Abraham, Arjun Kapoor, Mahesh Babu – all pushing their bodies to places most people never have to.

Vicky Kaushal stepped into that same league when he trained under Kris Gethin for Chhaava.

On paper, it sounds impressive already. World-renowned bodybuilder. IRONMAN finisher. Ultra-marathoner. Someone who has built physiques across continents and cultures.

But what stood out this time wasn’t just the transformation. It was the mindset behind it.

Kris Gethin and His Relationship With India

Kris has always spoken about India differently. Not like a work destination. Not like a market. More like a place he feels connected to.

He first came here over a decade ago to promote Body by Design. 

Back then, he was already known for his Daily Video Trainers on Bodybuilding.com and his work with FLEX Magazine. 

But India stuck with him. The warmth. The hospitality. The way people welcomed him like family.

Over the years, he didn’t just train clients here. He certified hundreds of trainers. Built gyms. Created livelihoods. Hosted workshops, TEDx talks, biohacking seminars. Brought international fitness names across the country. He kept showing up.

So when he chose to work with Vicky Kaushal, it wasn’t random. 

Kris has said many times – he doesn’t work with everyone. Leaving behind his home, his wife, his dog, his businesses, and flying into Mumbai’s monsoons isn’t something he does lightly.

For him, the person matters as much as the physique.

And Vicky checked those boxes.

The Part No One Talks About : Pain

There’s something Kris once told me about Vicky that changed how I look at pain.

During the shoot of Chhaava, Vicky was injured. His shoulder wasn’t just sore – it was proper pain. 

The kind that nags you through the day. 

The kind most people would complain about, or at least slow down for.

He didn’t say a word.

He showed up. Gave everything he had. Finished the day. 

Wrapped the shoot like nothing was wrong.

That stayed with me.

I’d seen the same thing before with Hrithik Roshan. Injured. Tired. Dealing with limitations. Still showing up. Still giving it everything.

Most people never see this side of transformations. They see the final frame. The posters. The stills. The applause.

They don’t see the silent days. The discomfort that doesn’t get announced. The work that continues even when it hurts.

Why This Matters More Than a “Shredded Look”

It’s easy to talk about fat loss, muscle gain, or aesthetics. That’s the surface layer.

What actually separates the top 1% is something else entirely.

They don’t wait for perfect conditions.

They don’t pause because things feel uncomfortable.

They adjust, show up, and keep moving forward.

Vicky Kaushal’s training under Kris Gethin wasn’t just about looking the part for Chhaava. 

It was about embodying discipline when no one is watching. About respecting the process. About doing the work quietly.

That’s the difference.

And on hard days – the ones where motivation is low and excuses are easy – I think about stories like this. Because the real ones always find a way.

Always.