Mumbai: Actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani got candid about his difficult journey with body image and bullying during an emotional conversation on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s popular chat show Double Date, where he appeared alongside wife and actor Rakul Preet Singh.
Speaking openly about growing up overweight, Jackky revealed that he weighed nearly 150 kilos as a young boy and often became the target of insensitive remarks and public humiliation. Recalling one of the incidents that stayed with him for years, Jackky shared, “I still remember there was a film made on Akshay Sir, Khiladio Ka Khiladi, that time, there was a chatter amongst producers that they are calling WWF wrestler Yokozuna, howhe is being brought to India for Bollywood. It was a huge buzz then.
During one such conversation, a little overweight uncle told my father, ‘Why do you need to call Yokozuna from outside? You already have one at home."
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Jun 3, 2026He was referring to Jaccky. He was around 150 kilos then. He said "As a child, you laugh it off in front of people, but those things stay with you.”
The actor further spoke about how deeply body shaming affects people, especially in a society where appearance is often judged harshly. “When you are growing you are also part of all jokes , If you are overweight or dark-skinned in this country, people don’t think twice before bullying you. For example if someone is laughing there you feel, kahin ye mujhpe toh nahi hans raha, but in reality that person is not even aware of me"
He means to say that They casually pass comments without realizing how damaging it can be. At a young age when someone is still figuring out about himself and such remarks really impact their confidence.
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Jun 3, 2026Jackky also opened up about the turning point in his life when he expressed his dream of becoming an actor while assisting his father in film production. “I told my father one day that I wanted to become an actor. He looked at me honestly and said, ‘I cannot launch you in this state.’
At that moment it hurt, but today I understand that he was trying to push me towards becoming healthier and more disciplined.”
Determined to change his life, Jackky began an intense fitness journey that eventually transformed not just his appearance, but also his mindset and lifestyle.
His heartfelt revelations struck a chord with audiences online, with many praising the actor for speaking honestly about body shaming, self-worth and personal transformation.
Jackky Bhagnani and Rakul Preet Singh’s appearance on Double Date has already been creating buzz for its honest, emotional and relatable conversations
