For leggy beauty Subhashree, cavorting in exotic locales in fetching micro minis, bandage dresses and barely-there hot pants is all in a day's work. Mimi Chakraborty, who shot to fame with the superhit movie Bojhena Shey Bojhena, has also been seen rocking fitted trousers and short skirts.

Today, the super-toned bodies of Bengali actresses fill all the hourglass requirements and more — tiny waists, washboard abs and never-ending legs.

So, here's checking out some of the best bodies in tinsel town and getting to know the secrets behind those toned abs and sculpted arms.

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Subhashree

The leggy lass, who claims to have brought size zero back in vogue, trains six days a week. 'I don't make excuses, ever, and am at the gym every day except Sunday,' she says.

Her fitness programme has been put together by Ranadeep Moitra, a coach certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association of America and CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) trainer.

According to Subhashree, Moitra never lets a workout become monotonous or jaded. There are group classes, Yoga and lots of weight training. Moitra has devised a five-pronged approach for the actress that includes cardiovascular fitness, joint flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength and attention to body composition (the ratio of lean muscle to fat). 'A cardiovascular routine is mandatory since the heart happens to be the most important muscle/organ. But equally important is joint flexibility, which can be attained through a range of motions around a joint,' he says.

'I have developed a strong core with his workouts and I can shed weight really fast these days,' she says.

Moitra emphasises that he doesn't prescribe a cardio-heavy routine but focuses on strength training and mobility training. 'Strength and mobility training involves 15 repetitions of exercises, with each repetition taking 30-40 seconds. So, you're putting stress on the heart for at least one or two minutes — that's cardio vascular stress,'' he explains.

Diet diaries: 'I avoid carbohydrates, completely. If I have gone without carbs for two or more months, I indulge in small helpings on rare occasions,' says Subhashree. She gorges on protein-rich dishes and is a big time fan of chicken.

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Mumtaz Sorcar

Rower-turned-leading lady, Mumtaz Sorcar decided to look perfect for the camera when she forayed into films four years ago. 'I had an athlete's body, which translated into a tall and broad frame,' she says.

She set the ball rolling by going for a six-day training comprising CrossFit exercises (strength and endurance workouts), using equipment like kettle-bells, dumbbells, Swiss balls and elastic bands.

Mumtaz who grabbed the spotlight in Meghe Dhaka Tara and Bhooter Bhabishyat has been training with Ranadeep Moitra too. 'He has always been a champion of using daily activities to correct posture, increase flexibility and enhance mobility, an approach that's worked wonders for me,' she says.

Magician P.C. Sorcar Junior's youngest daughter concedes that the pressure on Bengali actresses to look good is mounting. In one of her forthcoming releases titled Half Serious, the actress gets into her super-toned avatar while putting on a tough act as a street-smart girl.

Diet Diaries: Mumtaz is a self-confessed foodie but gives a wide berth to fried goodies. She begins her day with a big breakfast, which includes a whole egg, milk and fruit. Her intake of protein-rich food is high and she eats at short intervals.

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Mimi Chakraborty

Despite keeping a hectic shooting schedule (usual call time for shoots is between 5am and 6am), Mimi is sold on a balanced exercise plan. She mixes freehand exercises with cardio workouts, weight training and a posture-correction regimen. At times when she's not shooting, her gym routine can go up to six days a week. 'I really don't think size zero will ever catch on in Bengali cinema nor will a 22-in waist. I think audiences are still partial to a voluptuous but fit look,' she says.

The Jalpaiguri-born actress begins her fitness drill with a 25-minute to 45-minute warm-up on the treadmill. Certain days are devoted to cardio training when she tries to lose at least 280-300 calories. She prefers fitness equipment with calorie loss readouts.

Diet diaries: 'On days that I go gymming my consumption of egg whites and chicken stew goes up,' says Mimi. Carbohydrates have been banished from her platter though she allows herself an occasional spoon of rice. The actress, who is now looking forward to her new releases — Proloy and Golpo Holeo Sotti — claims to have a sweet tooth. And she does indulge in sweets post-dinner. 'It's difficult to go on diets when you are a foodie,' she says.

Photographs by Soumik Bag