On the occasion of National Sports Day, actor Manan Joshi, last seen in Mangal Lakshmi on Colors TV, opens up about his deep connection with fitness, sports, and the discipline that shapes his daily life. From state-level combat sports to intense morning fitness regimes, the actor shares how physical training fuels both his personal growth and professional journey.
While his fans know him for his dedication to martial arts and gym training, Manan reveals a surprising passion for tennis that keeps him hooked. “I have been watching a lot of documentaries based on Tennis; it secretly excites me. If I put my mind to it and put in work, I can develop the skill. Playing at a pro level, however, could be a question.”
Reflecting on his childhood, Manan highlights combat sports as the bedrock of his physical discipline and expresses a desire to master them further. “I could have been a pro at Martial Arts and Boxing. It is something that I have focused on while growing up. I wish I could have had more time and more skill to develop.”
Inspiration often comes from those closest to us on set. Manan takes a moment to appreciate his Mann Atisundar co-star’s remarkable transformation. “I would give a shoutout to Karan Kaushal Sharma, who played my father in Mann Atisundar. He is someone who has turned himself around—lost around 18-20 kg of weight. I have seen his fitness journey; he is amazing.”
Rather than chasing fitness trends, Manan’s approach to training is grounded in functional movement—a philosophy that extends even into his entrepreneurial ventures. “It’s not about following the fad that is going around. My sister and I are building up a shoe brand right now—Get Right. We are focused on the very move, right from the toe. I would try to do a workout where it is a lot of strength training, but also movement, function, and agility training.”
Playing the character of Divyam in Mann Atisundar demanded high physical performance and strict consistency, leaving a lasting impact on Manan’s daily schedule. “Divyam was supposed to be the character with a chiselled body with a defined structure. He was someone who put extreme emphasis on fitness. That was gruelling, as I was spending long hours on shoot. I made it a point to work out every day in the morning and go to my shoot. That habit stays with me even now. Divyam has made me a morning workout person.”
Both acting and sports demand resilience. Manan shares his personal mindset strategy for overcoming tough days and setbacks. “There is a beautiful saying—’If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.’ I believe in focusing on the task that is at hand. If I can do that, everything falls in place.”
For Manan, sports were never just an afterthought—they were an essential foundation that built his mental toughness long before he stepped in front of the camera. “Sports play an extremely crucial part in my life. I grew up playing martial arts and boxing at a state level. That has built a lot of grit, mental strength, and focus in me.”
