By Boria Majumdar and Trisha Ghosal
In a freewheeling chat with Revsportz, Milind Soman, Bollywood actor, model and a fitness freak, shares his thoughts on how in the last decade there has been an increased awareness surrounding matters like health, diet and fitness in India.
He also talks about completing the Ironman Triathlon, the 10th edition of the JBG Kolkata marathon, and more.
Boria Majumdar (BM): Milind, welcome. If we go back 20 years, there was no tradition of running in India, no clubs, no races, none of what we now see. Yet, you were at the core of this change. When did you first start running, and why?
Milind Soman (MS): Sport and fitness are two different things. I began swimming competitively at nine, representing Maharashtra and later India till 23. In the mid-70s and 80s, there was little talk about health or fitness. For me, sport was simply a lifestyle.
When I stumbled into modelling, people noticed my body more than my face. That was the first time I realised the aura of a sportsperson could be as powerful as looks. Globally, when actors like Stallone and Tom Cruise brought fitness into mainstream culture, India followed. Soon, fitness began to matter here too.
The real breakthrough, though, was the Mumbai Marathon. Its promotion created a wave of endurance running. Before that, marathons were rare in India. Now, almost every Sunday, races happen across the country. I ran the first Mumbai half marathon myself and was hooked.
Turning 50 with Ironman
BM: You turned 50 and chose the Ironman Triathlon. Why then?
MS: I wanted to mark the milestone with something special. Someone suggested the ‘Ironman’. I’d never heard of it, but I liked the challenge. I finished it, just to see if I could.
What struck me was the reaction. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know how I managed it at 50. For me it was natural; I’d been active all my life. But clearly, India had changed. People were finally paying attention to fitness.
A Revolution in Motion
BM: As someone who hosts the Mumbai Marathon, I often feel like I’m witnessing a revolution. Would you agree this is the story of new India?
MS: Absolutely. In the last 15 years, conversations around health, diet and fitness have exploded. India now has more people taking up running than anywhere else. Once they start, many move to cycling, swimming, even triathlons.
Recently, my wife Ankita and I raced the Half Ironman in Estonia. There were over 80 Indians there, one of the biggest contingents worldwide. The organisers were amazed. That shows how far the movement has come.
The Kolkata Chapter
BM: This year marks the 10th edition of the JBG Kolkata 10K. How do you see its journey?
MS: Sustaining an event for a decade is remarkable, and credit goes to the organisers, especially Gaurav Jojodia; he himself is a triathlete. I’ve been associated with the event only for a couple of years, but the excitement in Kolkata is infectious.
People don’t always think of Kolkata as a sporting hub, but the JBG 10K proves otherwise. You see every age group, every body type, every background represented. For many, it’s life-changing. And it inspires those watching too.
Change, Not Just Hope
BM: India now has marathons every Sunday. Sport, to me is hope, it makes us feel Indian. What does sport and fitness mean to you?
MS: I’d call it change more than hope. Those who’ve embraced it know its value. Millions still haven’t, but their children will.
Endurance sport transforms not just your body but your character. It makes you more human, more grounded. That’s why I wish this change spreads faster.
Every participant in an event like the JBG 10K is an inspiration. They run not just for themselves, but for their families, friends, and communities. They shape a new Kolkata, a new Bengal, a new India.
The Inspiration Lives On
BM: That’s what makes distance running special, it celebrates the ordinary person. Milind, whether you admit it or not, you remain an inspiration. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you in Kolkata.
MS: Thank you, Boria. Congratulations to the organisers, and best wishes for the future. See you in Kolkata.
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