How did he manage to build muscle like that? He didn't have any high‑quality protein in his diet... just sambar, curries, etc.
(https://i.ibb.co/TZ5BSXf/iathhysvfaxg1.jpg)
Bruh, he's a construction worker... and rice, idly etc all have protein, just in smaller amounts. You have to eat a huge quantity to get enough protein – which he can do because his job burns a ton of calories. He can easily take in 4000 calories a day, plus a few eggs and some meat on weekends. Also, what kind of "news" is NDTV doing with random reels?
It's not that they have a Mr Olympia‑type body; they just have lower body fat, so the muscles show more.
You can still build muscle on a low‑protein intake. You only need to increase protein when you're cutting weight to preserve more muscle.
Laadle... they're carrying the weight of life's unfairness and actual weights. All functional movements, not isolated.
They lift a lot, and most of their food is homemade. Even if it's oily, the physical work they do burns more calories than they consume. With lower body‑fat percentage, even small healthy habits become very visible.
Rice, dal and most grains do contain protein, though the percentage is low for most of us. It's possible to develop decent muscle definition on a regular dal‑rice diet if your work involves physical activity and lifting all day. Even plain rice gives about 6‑7 g protein per 380 calories. If you're taking in 3000‑3500 calories daily, that's over 50‑60 g protein a day just from rice. Add sambar, dal, milk and you get even more. You can build muscle with just a little over 1 g protein per kg body weight, but it will take about five years instead of one, and you'll stay lean rather than bulky. These reports tend to exaggerate the diet and downplay the time and effort, making it sound like anyone can do it. It's really only feasible for people working on farms, construction, etc., who are active all day and watch their diet out of necessity.
You need to understand that exercise is the main driver of growth. Yes, diet matters, but you can still put on muscle without a perfect diet. You can't grow muscle without training or, more precisely, a physical stimulus. Every food contains some protein, so you can gain muscle, albeit slowly, even if you don't hit 2.2 g protein per kg. No doubt, a high‑protein diet would give him an even better look. Also, micronutrients matter – people chase macros here but forget vitamins and minerals. We all could do the same, but because life is short and we want results fast, we prioritize protein. This doesn't apply to kids; growing children need higher protein for optimal adult health.
Construction workers or anyone with a blue‑collar job can naturally build enough muscle just from their daily tasks so they can do the work. They have high endurance, but the weights they lift aren't as heavy as what we lift in the gym. Their job is like lifting lighter loads for hundreds of reps. Most of them eat a high‑carb diet to fuel a full day of physical activity, and many can't afford enough food to get fat. Basically they're dieting out of necessity, not choice, so they stay lean and the muscles look more defined.
Let's hear from the source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXMfo9hkQpd/
He does eat eggs, has no bad habits, no junk food, and follows a solid workout plan he learned from someone. Still interesting...
He doesn't look natural. Indian folks often romanticise poverty, but he's hardworking and digests food better. Still, he's clearly not natty; he's on some enhancer. I've seen construction workers and farmers with great physiques, and he just looks like an enhanced bodybuilder. Like Tarun Gill said, always check the shoulder‑trap area – androgen receptors are highest there, so they tend to look cone‑shaped.