Pic/Sameer Markande

In the last nine months, actor Puneet Issar has lost 15 kilos and gained significant muscle mass in a bid to look larger than life. "I hit the gym at 9 am and do three hours of heavy weight training. In the night, I go for a run without fail, followed by a session of martial arts," he tells us. During the day, Issar spends his time reading Vedas and Puranas. This interest in fitness and epics is not without reason. The veteran actor, who essayed the iconic role of Duryodhana in BR Chopra’s 'Mahabharata' in the 80s, is set to play Raavan in an all-new play, 'Raavan Ki Ramayan'. After doing the rounds in Delhi, the play will make its debut in Mumbai next month.