Akshay Kumar’s co-star is fitter than ever at 78. He shares his secret: I avoid….’

Danny Denzongpa remains fit as ever at 78. The Khuda Gawah actor believes in the power of a healthy diet and being active goes a long way in looking younger than your age. In an old interview with The Sunday Observer, the Agneepath star outlined his regimen. He revealed he mostly avoids eating out and puts his faith in home cooked meals, with spices brought from Sikkim where he hails from.

A passionate admirer of jeera, or cumin, Danny always felt that this humble spice had the ability to transform even the simplest meal into something flavorful and memorable. His fondness for uncomplicated, home-style food once led to an unusual late-night cooking experiment with his close friend, Jackie Shroff.


On one occasion, the two actors attended a glamorous Bollywood gathering. However, just as the elaborate dinner buffet was about to be served, they quietly slipped away. Neither of them was interested in indulging in the heavy, rich dishes on offer, so they headed back to Danny's residence instead.

By the time they arrived home, it was quite late, and the household staff had already retired for the night. Rather than waking anyone, Danny chose to prepare a meal himself. After checking the refrigerator, he discovered a few brinjals and began slicing them into small cubes. He warmed a little oil in a pan, tossed in cumin seeds until they released their aroma, and then added the chopped brinjal pieces.

Meanwhile, Jackie came across a couple of green apples in the fridge and suggested incorporating them into the dish. Curious about the combination, Danny agreed. The apple chunks were added to the pan alongside the brinjals, allowing the ingredients to cook together gently while absorbing the earthy flavor of the cumin. Once they had softened slightly, he stirred in some curd and covered the pan to let the mixture simmer.

Danny also shared that whenever filming took him to remote outdoor locations, he preferred authentic local meals over elaborate catering. He would often send an assistant to nearby villages to bring back freshly prepared regional food. Even a modest serving of curd and rice was enough to satisfy him, as he valued simplicity, freshness, and traditional flavors above all else.

Years ago, in a chat with Movie Talkies, superstar Akshay Kumar gushed about Denzongpa, who was his co-star in the 2015 film Baby and praised his fitness regimen. “'When it comes to fitness, I am in awe of Danny Denzongpa. Can you believe he is 66, but still manages to look so young and fit! The glow on his face has still not diminished after so many years. The reason behind it is that he believes in a healthy diet and always eats natural foods. That is why I always insist on going back to the era of eating right and working out properly instead of just focusing on getting six-pack abs…” he said.

In a chat with the Times Of India, productivity blogger Leo Babauta revealed Danny woke up at 5:00 am everyday to practise vipassana meditation and do some exercises.