Hansal Mehta opens up about his weight loss journey: ‘Not a magic pill’

Before and After: Hansal Mehta

I feel lighter, so does the world around me," says filmmaker Hansal Mehta as we get on a call with him to talk about the new journey he has undertaken, one that leads him to a fitter, freer self. In times when conversations around health, fitness, and weight loss are often buried under stigma or sensationalism, the filmmaker's take on his journey with Mounjaro for weight loss is refreshingly honest.

Excerpts from the interview:

How did your journey with Mounjaro begin?
I'd been struggling with weight for a few years. That led to insulin resistance and early signs of metabolic disease. I was working out, doing everything I could, but the cycle wasn't breaking. I was first put on Ozempic [semaglutide], which helped to an extent. Later, my doctor prescribed Mounjaro, at a slightly higher-than-basic dose. It's been nearly two years, and in the last six months, my sugar [levels] have normalised and I've lost 10-11 kilos. But everything I've done has been under the supervision of my physician, Dr Vishesh Agrawal. Mounjaro isn't a magic pill. It works as part of a larger, carefully managed plan.

Did you feel any hesitation about using it?
I believe in research, data, and modern medicine. If something has been shown to work, and is prescribed under supervision, I'm open to it. There shouldn't be stigma around using medical tools that can help. Talking about it helps others who may be silently struggling. Obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle diseases cause both physical and psychological damage.

When celebrities use such medication, it often gets sensationalised...
Yes, it becomes a meme fest. There's misinformation, like the whole ‘Ozempic face' theory - which, in my experience, comes from starvation and poor lifestyle choices. Medicine alone cannot do that to you. The use of modern medicine has become this dark secret. Anyway people talk about Bollywood as if we consume drugs. So by not talking about it, you're making it look shady.[shady].

Self love

I avoid sugar - but not completely. I drink occasionally. If I do, I make sure to compensate with an extra workout. I feel lighter mentally. I was already on this journey before I began work on Gandhi, and it turned out to be one of my healthiest shoots. I take care of how I dress and feel on set, and I think everyone should, not just actors. When you feel good, you create better.

Dr Vishesh Agrawal, consulting physician and diabetologist

Doctor says

Some common side effects of Mounjaro are nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and indigestion. Mr Mehta had some of these symptoms, but we were able to help him and negate them because he was constantly in touch with me. With appropriate dosing and medication, the side effects can be tackled. Stopping the use of the medicine depends on the patient's goal.