Get well-ness soon - article

Suniel Shetty is set to launch wellness centres across the country — not just for reducing potbellies in particular, but for staying healthy in general

Inspired by his TV show Biggest Loser Jeetega, Suniel Shetty is all set to carry his physical fitness scheme beyond the realms of reality shows.

Suniel Shetty

"It was a passion to start with. But now when I've become so closely associated with the contestants on the show I feel a constant empathy with them. I'm buying real estate to build wellness centres where overweight people from across the country can spend a month, lose weight and go back, lighter and happier. In other words, I don't want the reality of reality TV to remain restricted to the entertainment medium," he says.

Suniel is currently looking at the logistics of buying land in Mumbai. "Real estate is big business. To begin with, I want to build a wellness centre in Mumbai, with a gym. It won't be for body-building, but for staying healthy. After Mumbai, we'll go to other cities," he says.

After his Biggest Loser… experience, Suniel is totally convinced that fitness is far from a fad among the middle-classes in this country. He says, "So far one thought that staying trim was for those who have money. But it isn't so. Wherever I go, I am asked, 'How do I lose my potbelly?' As though that's the beer-all end-all of fitness. Those on the show have lost an average of 35-40 pounds each."

Suniel is now planning Season 2 of Biggest Loser Jeetega. He has six months' time to do so. "We'll now move into various states in the country. We'll choose one contestant from every state," he says.


• So far one thought that staying trim was for those who have money. But it isn't so. Wherever I go, I am asked, 'How do I lose my potbelly?'
– Suniel