Naagin 4's Nia Sharma on her obsession with weight-watching: I used to starve myself

Celebrities often fall prey to the notion of achieving that perfect body to look flawless on screen. Nia Sharma, who is all set to play the lead role Naagin in season 4 of the supernatural franchise, shared in an explosive interview the perils of her obsession with weight, body image issues and more. (By: Tanvi Trivedi)

People have always seen me as someone who is fit and has a good figure because I have maintained myself well. But, with time, there are physiological factors that make you put on weight. For the past few years, I have suffered from the fear of getting out of shape. I was obsessed with my weight and if I put on even one kilo, I would start fretting and fuming over it. So much so, that my conversations with my friends were all about my weight worries. And in order to look a particular way, I ended up starving myself.

While I never had cheat days and followed a strict diet, there were times when I just let myself go and overindulged in food. And when I ate a lot, I would feel extremely guilty. So, I would try to throw up what I ate. This was a practice for many years, but I now realise that it is one of the worst things I did to myself. My friends Arjun (Bijlani) and Ravi (Dubey) sat me down and explained that this was not healthy. Even when I suffered from slight bloating, I would throw up deliberately. Finally, it left me feeling very weak.

I would like to tell women to stop doing this, if they suffer from such fears. In fact, the fear of gaining weight led me to skip my lunches and dinners. I used to only have protein shakes and work out like mad. But I do believe that working out is not the only solution to maintain a healthy weight. You need a healthy diet along with it. I have suffered from this eating disorder, but thankfully, I am now over it.

I have never spoken about my personal life because I feel that my love life is not for Instagram. I am nervous to share private pictures on my social media accounts. In the last few years, a couple of relationships ended abruptly. I now feel that if I am with someone, I’d rather make it work than talk about it to people.

I want someone who is educated and when I say educated, I mean someone who is mature enough to respect a woman irrespective of her profession. I can’t be with a guy who is fighting with me over what I wear. A relationship can’t be about the clothes that a girl wears. I am what I am today because of my sheer hard work and discipline. Even my mother tells me, ‘Nia, we are happy for your success and you have the freedom to follow your desires’. So, I can’t allow a guy to dictate what I should wear to a party.

I am very accommodating and adjusting in a relationship. I want a guy who will let me pursue my ambitions, stand by my side and have full faith in me. That’s why I find it very funny when actors say that they don’t want to marry someone from the industry. Why not? Actually an actor will exactly understand the pressures of the trade, your sense of fashion and the erratic working hours. I would love it if I have a handsome actor by my side.

I don’t feel that I owe anyone anything. My journey has been organic and over the years I have picked my own set of friends and have never been to a party to just ‘network’. I respect people and they should respect me back. Everyone knows that I am not here to lick anyone’s ass. I have been often termed as being rude but what is wrong in asking for what is rightfully yours. If you don’t give my remuneration on time, you can’t expect me to be nice to you. I will never compromise on bad working conditions. In the past, I have worked so many extra hours and suffered health issues for months. I have decided to not work for more than the required number of hours and live a healthy life. I might be termed as someone who is feisty and speaks her mind, but at least, I am called professional and disciplined.

I don’t think anything can be better than being part of 'Naagin'. I have enjoyed my previous work, too, but for the first time, I will be the title character in a television show.