‘Clean, Balanced, and Highly Intentional’: Inside Hrithik Roshan’s Disciplined Diet with Chef Shubham Vishwakarma
Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan, often celebrated as the Greek God of Indian cinema, recently spotlighted his personal chef, Shubham Vishwakarma, on social media, offering a rare glimpse into the culinary discipline behind his famed physique. For the 29-year-old chef, formally trained in culinary arts with a specialization in nutrition-focused cooking, this public acknowledgment was a monumental moment of validation and motivation.
A Journey of Validation and Discipline
“It felt deeply validating. When someone like Hrithik sir acknowledges your work publicly, it is not just appreciation; it is recognition of discipline, consistency, and the relentless effort behind the scenes,” expressed Vishwakarma, who humbly describes himself as a “student of food.” Hailing from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, his journey to Mumbai has been a continuous learning curve, mastering ingredients, nutrition, timing, and precision.
“Over the years, I have gravitated towards performance-driven nutrition rather than just taste, which ultimately defined my path,” he added, emphasizing the shift from mere flavor to functional eating that supports an actor’s rigorous demands.
The Intimate Demands of a Personal Chef
Vishwakarma draws a clear distinction between his role and that of a hotel chef. “A hotel chef cooks for hundreds. A personal chef cooks for one, but that one requires absolute precision,” he explained. The responsibility extends far beyond taste, encompassing health, performance, confidentiality, and unwavering consistency. “It is far more intimate and demanding,” he noted, highlighting that there are no off days in maintaining this high standard.
To stay sharp and adaptable, Vishwakarma views food as a form of service. “When done with sincerity and discipline, it has the power to support excellence. I’m grateful for the journey and excited for what lies ahead,” he shared, reflecting on the profound impact of his work.
Balancing Travel, Schedules, and Nutrition
Traveling with Roshan as needed, Vishwakarma faces the challenge of adapting to new kitchens, unfamiliar ingredients, and tight schedules. “It pushes you to be resourceful and calm under pressure,” he said, crediting his previous experiences in professional kitchens at the Taj and private setups where nutrition-focused cooking was paramount. “Those experiences prepared me to handle precision, confidentiality, and high expectations,” he added.
Decoding Hrithik Roshan’s ‘Intentional’ Diet
Describing Roshan’s diet as “clean, balanced, and highly intentional,” Vishwakarma revealed that the actor’s thoughtful and disciplined approach to life directly influences his dietary choices. “He believes in balance, awareness, and long-term well-being. It is not about extremes—it is about sustainability, recovery, and performance. Every meal has a purpose, whether it is fuel, repair, or longevity,” the chef elaborated.
The food is simple yet refined, featuring lean proteins, seasonal vegetables, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and clean flavours. Think grilled proteins with subtle marinades, slow-cooked vegetables, nutrient-dense bowls, and light Indian preparations with minimal oil—meals designed to be satisfying without heaviness. “The focus is always on digestion, energy, and recovery,” Vishwakarma emphasized, having worked with the Dhoom 2 actor since 2021.
Portion control is key, especially during training or transformation phases. “Precision matters when performance is involved,” he noted, underscoring the meticulous planning behind each meal.
Building Trust Through Consistency
Their professional relationship began through work and trust, built over time with consistency and attention to detail. “Hrithik Roshan sir is extremely particular about his health and nutrition, so the process involved understanding his lifestyle, his body, his training demands, and his mindset,” Vishwakarma shared, highlighting the collaborative nature of their partnership.
An Evolving, Collaborative Menu
Menu planning is a dynamic, phase-based collaboration, considering factors like training intensity, shoot schedules, and recovery needs. “The menu evolves constantly,” Vishwakarma explained, ensuring it aligns with Roshan’s ever-changing requirements.
When it comes to favourite foods, Roshan enjoys clean, home-style flavours—simple Indian dishes executed perfectly without excess. His go-to choices include chole, moong dal, bhindi bhaji, pesto chicken, tandoori chicken, paneer bhurji, rosemary roast chicken, mutton curry, grilled salmon, and pesto pomfret.
A Chef’s Structured Daily Routine
Vishwakarma’s day begins early, structured around planning, sourcing, prepping, cooking, and coordinating with trainers or schedules. “Timing is critical. There is no room for complacency because someone’s health and performance depend on it,” he stated. The process starts with assessing the body’s daily needs, then aligning ingredients, flavours, textures, and timing accordingly. “Innovation exists, but never at the cost of function,” he added.
Lessons in Professionalism from the Agneepath Star
Working closely with Roshan has been an education in professionalism. “His discipline, humility, and commitment to growth are genuinely inspiring. Working with someone like that pushes you to be better every day,” Vishwakarma expressed. He sees Roshan not just as a celebrity, but as a dedicated human being whose craft inspires those around him.
While preferring to keep salary details private, Vishwakarma focuses on the quality of his work. “Compensation grows with responsibility, trust, and experience. For me, the learning and exposure are equally valuable,” he concluded, highlighting the intrinsic rewards of his culinary journey with one of Bollywood’s most iconic stars.
