Actor Tisca Chopra is a self confessed khaate-peetey ghar ki body type who never really had too many issues with self-image, apart from having to make peace with being “busty”. And, the (almost) customary wish to appear “thinner” in early adulthood.
The 47-year-old is a powerhouse of talent, which is perhaps why most of what’s been written about her revolves around her body of work. However, her recent, unmissable weight loss has fueled a conversation around it… one that’s rather intriguing.
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
Tisca says that while she’s always been confident about her body, at some point, she found herself digging out faults with different parts. From dreaming of perfection to turning that thought inside out, and coming to learn that the coveted hourglass figure has little to do with being loved—the actor, who’s playing the lead in the upcoming Disney+Hotstar series Fear 1.0, spoke exclusively to iDiva and shared her journey with us.
Q: We all have that moment, the one that catapults us into a new journey. With regard to your recent weight loss, tell us about the time you decided to start it.
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
It was the middle of the first lockdown and I was eating an ice cream a day… my crazy sweet tooth. I gained about 3-4 kgs and it didn’t feel nice. I was hanging in PJs all day and writing my book.
Before Covid, the first victim of my busy schedule used to be my workout. Then, luckily, the lockdown gave me more than enough time to start a vigorous regime. I had all the time in the world to build lean muscle without going the route of fat burners or unhealthy supplements. In addition, as things got worse with Covid, I think most of us faced our own mortality up close. I think I got it in my head that true security lies in high immunity—that was a big thought. And I decided to get very fit.
Q: Have you always been comfortable with your body?
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
As a teen, I was very self-conscious about being busty, and the amount and kind of attention that got. That stayed with me for a long time, so much so that I started slouching to seem less well endowed. It’s only now that that self-consciousness has gone.
Q: What does ‘body positivity’ mean to you?
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
‘Body positivity’ is a relatively new idea for most of us. I haven’t been overweight, just a well-built North Indian body type… but while no one was telling me to lose weight, I was constantly pushing myself hard to be thinner.
It [is after] many years of harsh dieting that I have now found [health coach] Luke Coutinho and his brilliant team, who are a blessing, and are able to help me manage my erratic schedule and travel along with my diet.
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
Body positivity, to me, is finally being able to see my body for the amazing machine it is. Now I am looking at my body for all the things it can do, the way it keeps up with me with the hectic demands of an actor’s work life. It’s a relief.
Q. Showbiz is infamous for creating negative body image and promoting a certain body type. Do you believe that to be true?
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
Sure, there is pressure to look a certain way in leading parts and romantic roles, unless the part calls for a different body type. But there is a change now as series and films are getting more and more realistic. More actors are now inhabiting their roles with flawed minds and bodies, beyond mere glamour. It’s a welcome change.
Q: Did you feel the pressure to lose weight in order to get more work at any point in your career?
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
Not really, since I’ve not been overweight, just a khaate-peetey ghar ki body type. But for the series (Fear) I am doing now, I personally wanted to be super lean and fit because the role I play is very physically demanding.
Q: What did you do to achieve your goal?
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
Besides a spot of my usual morning yoga, I added Pilates every other day, and an hour-and-half walk or run every evening. Add to that Luke Coutinho’s fabulous diet—where I avoid wheat or gluten and go easy on dairy—and it all worked together to get me into my best shape so far.
More than looking good, I feel so happy that my stamina is great. I feel fit and strong, and that is such a great feeling. I am a Punjabi foodie with a major sweet tooth…that’s a recipe for disaster if I don’t work out! It’s been a constant battle but now I think I’ve been able to get a hold on the process.
I weigh myself every single day, and that helps me get back on course if I gain even a little bit. After Covid, my whole focus has been on having lots of stamina.
Q: Your weightloss journey is being appreciated and spoken about. Tell us about the emotional aspect. What was your state of mind throughout?
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
I have body confidence now, but it’s been a journey of fault finding with this or that body part, always aiming for the perfect body. Now, instead of wanting to be merely thin, I aim to be flexible and strong. My child is eight-and-a-half [years old], and I need to be able to play with her after a 14-hour day. Now that is a good goal to have, and I am happy I am slowly getting there.
Also, switching off my phone a few hours before sleeping is the next goal. I seriously need screen detox and am working on it. I keep saying to myself, food is a source of joy not guilt. I also say it like a mantra that ‘I am what I eat’—so I end up eating clean.
Q: What are your thoughts on people criticising actors who don’t fit into the stereotypical mould when it comes to weight, skin color or height?
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
Expectations from actors should be to convey emotions authentically, while looking their part. So, a refugee can’t have a huge amount of fat… so actors do have to gain or lose weight as per the character.
But, no rule says that to be loved you need to have an hourglass figure. Most talented actors don’t have beefy, muscled bodies—Rajkumar Rao is not known for his muscles or Aayushman for his. Bhumi is fab as she is and Tapsee is brilliant too.
No one would love them less if they [had] a few kilos here or there. I think it’s time we became a little more open-minded and inclusive, went a little easy on weight, and focused on fitness as a goal.
Q: Learning to love your stretch marks, laughter lines, thin hair and scars—it’s all a journey. Tell us about your path to acceptance and self love.
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
The funny thing is that loving oneself is the hardest when it should be so easy. I love being where I am with all my flaws but it’s been a journey of discovery.
Very often one connects loving oneself to how successful one is. But I realised that true success is the path of loving oneself exactly as one is, while walking on the path to being better at whatever one wants to change. No one is flawless, it’s not human to be so. Believing that is the key to being happy.
Q: What advice would you like to give your 16-year-old self?
Image credit: Instagram/@tiscaofficial
I would tell my 16-year-old self to not expect perfection… from myself or others. To love my curvy body. And give more love to my mad, curly hair… and not color or heat treat it so much.
I would also [tell] the innocent 16-year-old to believe that the future will be more glorious and more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined then. I would finally tell her to travel more and not fear heartbreak—a broken heart mends and so does a broken spirit!
Lead Image credit: Tisca Chopra
