Rohit Saraf on kalaripayattu training for The Revolutionaries: 'Transformed me as a human being'
Synopsis
Rohit Saraf didn't just play a revolutionary — he became one, in a way. Fifteen months of dietary discipline, kalaripayattu training, and 9.30 pm bedtimes reshaped the actor from the inside out. His candid account of preparing for Sachindra Nath Sanyal in 'The Revolutionaries' is one of the more striking actor-transformation stories from Indian streaming this year.
Key Takeaways
Rohit Saraf trained in kalaripayattu for his role as Sachindra Nath Sanyal in 'The Revolutionaries' on Prime Video .
Saraf avoided junk food for 15 months and changed his sleep schedule to 9.30 pm as part of character preparation.
The actor says the experience 'transformed me as a human being, not just as an actor.' The series is based on true events and follows freedom fighters Rash Behari Bose , Pratibha Lahiri , Sachindra Nath Sanyal , and Bagha Jatin .
The cast also includes Pratibha Ranta , Gurfateh Pirzada , Bhuvan Bam , and Jason Shah , directed by Nikkhil Advani .
Actor Rohit Saraf, who portrays freedom fighter Sachindra Nath Sanyal in the Prime Video series 'The Revolutionaries', has revealed that learning the ancient Indian martial art kalaripayattu as part of his preparation fundamentally altered his mindset, discipline, and outlook on life. Saraf made the remarks during promotional events in Mumbai on 18 September 2026, alongside his co-stars and the show's creator.
How Kalaripayattu Rewired His Discipline
Saraf spoke candidly about the physical and mental transformation the role demanded. 'It made me so much more confident, I walk into rooms feeling very, very different after having become fitter. I also feel like it brought a sense of discipline into my life that I never knew existed. I didn't know that I could be this disciplined. I did not eat a single piece of wafer for 15 months in order to prepare for this character,' he said.
The actor described sacrificing some of his most ingrained habits to honour the physical requirements of the part. 'I am somebody who loves staying up at night but in order to make sure that I was giving my body what it needed, I had to start sleeping at 9.30 in the night,' he added.
The Moment That Tested His Limits
Saraf recalled a particularly challenging episode during production. 'I remember the first time I ate something outside of my chef's kitchen after all the body shots were done but they weren't really done because 10 days later Nikkhil sir made me remove my kurta again,' he said, highlighting the sustained physical demand the series placed on him.
Reflecting on the cumulative impact, Saraf said: 'I actually went through a complete change of the way I thought, the way I looked at my body, the way I looked at everything in life. And so yeah, I feel like it's really transformed me as a human being, not just as an actor.'
About The Revolutionaries
'The Revolutionaries' is a historical drama inspired by true events set against the backdrop of India's freedom struggle. The series follows four revolutionaries — Rash Behari Bose, Pratibha Lahiri, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, and Bagha Jatin — who believed armed resistance was indispensable to ending British rule. Notably, the show credits the sustained efforts of these freedom fighters with forcing the British empire to shift its capital from Kolkata to Delhi.
The cast includes Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, Gurfateh Pirzada, Bhuvan Bam, and Jason Shah, with director Nikkhil Advani at the helm. The series is currently streaming on Prime Video.
Why the Preparation Story Resonates
Saraf's account of 15-month dietary discipline and kalaripayattu immersion adds a rare layer of authenticity to a genre where physical transformation is often cosmetic. Kalaripayattu, one of the world's oldest martial art forms originating in Kerala, demands both explosive physical conditioning and meditative mental control — making it a fitting vehicle for an actor embodying a revolutionary. The role appears to have left a lasting imprint well beyond the shooting schedule.
Point of View
The more interesting question this interview leaves unanswered is whether the depth of physical preparation translated into a performance that does justice to Sachindra Nath Sanyal — a figure most Indian streaming audiences will encounter for the first time through this series. Authenticity of preparation and authenticity of portrayal are related but not identical, and reviewers will be the judge of how well the show bridges that gap.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kalaripayattu and why did Rohit Saraf learn it?
Kalaripayattu is one of the world's oldest martial art forms, originating in Kerala, combining explosive physical conditioning with mental discipline. Rohit Saraf trained in it to prepare for his role as freedom fighter Sachindra Nath Sanyal in 'The Revolutionaries', saying it transformed his mindset and confidence.
How did Rohit Saraf prepare physically for The Revolutionaries?
Saraf followed a strict 15-month preparation that included kalaripayattu training, avoiding all junk food, eating only meals prepared by his personal chef, and changing his sleep schedule to 9.30 pm. He described it as a complete change in the way he thought and viewed his body.
What is The Revolutionaries about?
'The Revolutionaries' is a historical drama on Prime Video inspired by true events from India's freedom struggle. It follows four revolutionaries — Rash Behari Bose, Pratibha Lahiri, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, and Bagha Jatin — who believed armed resistance was essential to ending British colonial rule.
Who stars in The Revolutionaries and who directs it?
The series stars Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, Gurfateh Pirzada, Bhuvan Bam, and Jason Shah. It is directed by Nikkhil Advani and is currently streaming on Prime Video.
Where can I watch The Revolutionaries?
'The Revolutionaries' is available to stream on Prime Video.
