Nimisha Sajayan opens up on demanding physical transformation for Babita Singh Reporting
Actress Nimisha Sajayan has spoken about the intense physical transformation she underwent for her role in ‘Babita Singh Reporting’, revealing that she put on close to 14 kg for the character and described the process as an absolute nightmare.
Nimisha, who plays Assistant Sub-Inspector Babita Singh in the Ambiecka Pandit directorial, told IANS that she weighed 58 kg when she was cast in the role. She then began working with a team of professionals on a structured weight gain plan, eventually reaching 72 kg for the shoot.
Recalling the experience, Nimisha said the sheer volume of food she had to consume made the process extremely difficult, admitting that eating up to 8,000 calories a day left her feeling as though she was constantly stuffing herself. Despite the difficulty, she said she found the process rewarding, as it helped her feel closer to the character.
The transformation was central to her portrayal of Babita, a character written as an underconfident police officer who is frequently dismissed at work and who spends much of the story adjusting to the expectations placed on her by others. In an Instagram post documenting her journey, Nimisha said the physical change altered more than just her appearance, shaping how she walked, carried herself and approached the role.
Once filming wrapped, Nimisha said she immediately began working to shed the weight she had gained, describing the initial days of that process as particularly gruelling, marked by disturbed sleep, mood swings and exhaustion. She credited her trainer, Ali Shifas, with helping her stay the course during that period.
Nimisha, known for acclaimed performances in films including ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ and ‘Chola’, also spoke about being judged over her appearance in the past, saying such comments no longer affect her the way they once did. She drew a parallel between her own experience and that of her character, noting that repeated disrespect eventually reaches a point where a person begins to push back, something she said is also reflected in Babita’s arc through the story.