A bodybuilder is polished with the ‘dream tan’ cream backstage at the Mr. Delhi 2010 competition. Most participants are on a high protein diet during the competition season and a day before the finals they would stop all fluid intake including water. This makes their body dry and sharpens the cut of muscles.

Photographs by: Sayantan Bera
 

32 year old Kamaraj (centre) at the national selection trials for the 44th Mr. Universe at Wai, Maharashtra. Three times Mr India, his diet comprises of sixty egg whites, two kilos of boiled chicken breasts and an array of nutritional supplements. Although he earns Rs.19,000 from his army job, he spends more than 25,000 every month on diet and supplements.

Photographs by: Sayantan Bera
 

A panel of national selectors at the selection trials for the Mr. Universe and Mr. World championships at Wai, Maharashtra. Bodybuilding federations are managed privately by rich patrons and the sport does not enjoy any government support like power lifting or boxing.

Photographs by: Sayantan Bera
 

Coming from middle class families most bodybuilders depend on family support. Like 19 year old Raghav who works as a bouncer in a Chennai pub. His biggest hope is to win a national level championship that assures a job in either the railways or the military services under the sports quota.

Photographs by: Sayantan Bera

Minutes before midnight, the devout trainer at Unique gym rushes through his regimen.

Photographs by: Sayantan Bera