Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani has found himself in an unusual position. He believes he’s the first person to ever face criticism for getting in shape.
During an appearance on Stavvy’s World podcast, the Pakistan-born performer opened up about the unexpected backlash he received after transforming his physique for his role in Marvel’s Eternals, and revealed he’s now actively trying to lose both weight and muscle.
The Silicon Valley star acknowledged the unusual position he found himself in: being the first person to receive criticism for getting in better shape.
“I’m the first guy who ever got [criticized] for getting jacked,” Nanjiani said, noting the absurdity of facing negative reactions to his fitness transformation.
He explained that much of the criticism stems from broader cultural perceptions. “No one thinks about South Asian guys as jacked guys. I think that’s part of it here,” he said, suggesting that his ethnicity played a role in the reaction.
While Bollywood actors are often extremely fit, Western audiences rarely associate South Asian men with muscular physiques.
Nanjiani also shared what he called “the meanest comment” he’s ever received about his transformation: “His voice didn’t get abs.”
The observation, while cutting, was accurate. “I don’t have the vibe of a jacked guy,” he admitted. Nanjiani thinks that despite his muscular physique, he still projects the personality of what he calls “a dork from Pakistan.”
This disconnect between his appearance and demeanor became a recurring theme in public perception of his transformation. His comedy special on Hulu addresses these contradictions directly, with Nanjiani joking about being perhaps the most muscular comedian doing extended pun routines.
Now, Nanjiani is taking a different approach. He revealed he’s actively working to lose weight and muscle, attempting to find a more sustainable middle ground. “I’m actually trying to lose weight and muscle,” he said during the podcast. This decision appears driven by practical career considerations rather than health concerns, as he explained that maintaining extreme muscularity doesn’t align with most of the roles available to him.
The conversation also touched on Nanjiani’s decade-long hiatus from stand-up comedy. After The Big Sick’s success and his run on Silicon Valley, he stepped away from live performances, only returning during the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes.
His new special, Welcome Chestnut, now streaming on Hulu, marks his official return to the art form that launched his career.
