DEBI DUTTA

Fitness is the buzzword with the hotbods of B-town and the latest one to get bitten by the bug is Lara Dutta. Following in Bipasha Basu’s footsteps, Lara is all set to launch her fitness video. Produced by Mahesh Bhupathi — tennis star and Lara’s man — the video will see the Housefull girl working out with Calcutta model-turned-actress Debi Dutta (remember Ranbir Kapoor’s friend in Rocket Singh Salesman of the Year?) for company.

“I was asked to do it because I am a part of Globosport (Bhupathi’s company). They manage me. Talks started around two months back. I was out of shape and had not been working out for a very long time,” says the 5’6” Bong beauty. With Zarine Watson as the trainer, Debi worked for a month and a half to get video-ready.

“I am doing the beginners’ version and she is doing the advanced version. Anyone who has a back injury or has just delivered a baby can follow me in the video. And somebody who is much used to fitness and wants to do something more challenging can follow Lara,” explains the Jodhpur Park girl.

LARA DUTTA

Lara and Debi have something in common too. “The first thing that both of us noticed about each other’s body is that we have the same structure — shorter legs and longer torso,” she says. And Debi is all praises for her gym partner. “She is very confident about herself and I like that about her. She doesn’t come across as bitchy and competitive. She is very friendly, full of energy, always cracking jokes,” she says. In fact, Lara’s “sense of humour” is what impresses Debi most. “I think she is really funny. She can talk in some really funny Hindi accents,” she adds.

Debi and Zarine were not the only ones watching Lara sweat it out though. “Mahesh (Bhupathi) used to be on the sets everyday when Lara was training,” laughs Debi.

A common face in television commercials, Debi has learnt an important fitness lesson from her experience. “I learnt that fitness doesn’t mean being skinny. It is about being healthy and strong,” says the model who can be seen in a Wild Stone commercial directed by Shoojit Sircar.