TOI: As Hanuman, I'm forced to live on liquids for 12 hours: Vishaal

TV actor Vishaal Kotian, who has sported a six-pack for as long as he can remember, was in for a rude shock when he was initially rejected for the role of Hanuman in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev.

Vishaal was told he did not have the ideal physique required to play the mythological character. He reminisces, "I used to work out for an hour-and-half daily in the gym. It was like telling Mr Bachchan that he isn't tall. I decided to hit the gym again and worked out for 20 days more, for three hours daily along with the right diet. It was only when I eventually developed an eight-pack that I was selected for the role."

But that isn't where his troubles ended because every time he shoots, he has to wear a heavy costume and apply prosthetic makeup, which stays on for 12 hours and he cannot move his lips in all that time. So, the actor has been put on a liquid diet " juices, lassi, milk and protein shakes " for the duration that he shoots.

He says, "While the makeup is on, I cannot move my face. I can only drink through the straw so I either have an early dinner or eat during early mornings. The kind of prosthetic make-up they have used on me requires almost an hour to be removed so I can't get in and out of it easily."