Turning 30 was a wake up call to finally shed 13 kilos: Vishwak Sen

There’s a clear before-and-after that defines Vishwak Sen’s journey. One that began on the streets of Dilsukhnagar and found its turning point with Tharun Bhascker’s buddy comedy Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi (ENE).

Today, with a growing body of work and an evolving perspective on both life and craft, the actor-filmmaker is pausing to recalibrate. In a candid conversation with Hyderabad Times, he speaks about hitting 30, friendships that anchor him, navigating the industry as an outsider, and why he chooses to let his work speak louder than the noise around him.‘Hitting my thirties made me realise I needed discipline and focus’After years of back-to-back releases, Vishwak chose to step away from the churn to focus on himself.

“I decided to take a year-long break from releasing films. I was still shooting here and there, but in the past, I’d usually have two or three releases every year, leaving no real time to focus on a physical transformation. This time, I consciously slowed down,” he says. “Turning 30 hit me hard. It was a real wake-up call.

Until 29, I often felt like I was still 21, but hitting my thirties made me realise I needed structure, discipline, and focus.

I cut out carbs and sugar, committed to two hours of workout every day, and added an hour of horse riding. Following this regime consistently for six to seven months helped me shed 13 kilos and completely shifted my perspective on fitness and self-discipline.”‘Hyderabad is home in every sense’Deeply rooted in Hyderabad, Vishwak continues to draw from the city’s lived experiences and people. “Hyderabad is home in every sense.

I was born in Gandhi Hospital and raised in Dilsukhnagar. I know its corners, its people. I’m still friends with those I used to play cricket with when I was younger,” he shares. “After I became a director, when I make a film here, I bring locals into the fold. In Falaknuma Das, most on-screen faces were living the story off-screen too.

Hyderabadis, with their warmth and willingness to collaborate, that’s the pulse I always try to capture in my films.”‘There’s more awareness & responsibility in the choices I make today’Seven years on, Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi remains a defining marker in his journey, shaping both his career and perspective. “I often think of my life as ‘Vishwak before ENE’ and ‘Vishwak after ENE.’ Back then, I embraced success without fear; today, every project carries responsibility, awareness, and the need to evolve constantly,” he says. “Vivek, the character I played, reflects my own guarded, selfless nature.

As we began shooting the sequel, I worried if I could inhabit him again. But within minutes, it felt seamless. In this film, Vivek has moved on from his breakup, and the story opens with his second film’s pre-release party, marking a fresh chapter in his life.”

‘I like layering drama into every story I tell’With his upcoming film Cult, Vishwak leans into his instinct for layered, high-energy storytelling. “When I first started writing Cult, I drew inspiration from Project X, which gradually evolved into something that feels like Project X meets Squid Game,” he says.“As a filmmaker, I’ve always been drawn to drama; not in life, but on screen. Whether it’s a love story, thriller, or comedy, I love layering in drama, and Cult has a lot of that.”