Why Kumail Nanjiani Is Jealous Of His Eternals Character

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Eternals star Kumail Nanjiani recently explained why he is jealous of his character in the upcoming MCU film. Nanjiani, known for his roles in Silicon Valley and The Big Sick (2017), was brought onto Marvel’s Eternals by director Chloé Zhao in December 2019. As a result of being brought into a massive project like a Marvel film, where it is difficult to find a leading man without a set of washboard abs, Nanjiani made the personal decision to transform himself to fit the part of a 7,000-year-old protector of Earth.

With the legacy of other Marvel transformations of comedic actors such as Chris Pratt, Nanjiani bulked up to fit the role, and as a result, initial reactions to Nanjiani’s drastic shift from relatable nerd to superhuman was well-received. His new appearance even garnered love from Hugh Jackman of X-Men after Nanjiani recreated a photoshoot as Wolverine. Yet, the popular opinion shifted, and criticism about Nanjiani’s transformation suggested he may have gotten too muscular for the role.

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In an interview with Vulture, Nanjiani reflects on his fitness journey and how the lifestyle he’s adapted to has changed how he views himself, particularly in comparison to his character, Kingo. As an insecure teenager, he found his confidence in making people laugh, but still felt he fell short when it came to his appearance. When he accepted the Eternals role, he saw the chance to get the ideal body he always wanted, and in doing so, would become the person he always wanted to be. However, in achieving the physical goal of becoming Kingo, he realized that what is admirable about Kingo are intangible characteristics like confidence, self-assurance, joy, and being free of body-image issues rather than only his physique. Read Nanjiani’s comment below:

“Kingo really is a better version of me. He doesn’t have the inner saboteur, which literally just makes me jealous of a character I play. Weird feeling.”

In the upcoming film, Nanjiani’s character Kingo is a Bollywood star which offers a strange meta moment between the actor and the character. Nanjiani realizes the potential impact of his choices on others and is open and honest about his journey while offering advice to those who find his journey inspirational. He states that Kingo is aspirational because he seems to have both a good body and a good mind, something that is harder to develop and maintain in a world dominated by constant criticism.

Nanjiani’s frank discussion about his public transformation and private struggles with insecurities reinforces the long-held notion that nobody is perfect. There is often a twisted desire that celebrities are above self-doubt or insecurity, and that they do not feel the criticism about them that is published daily. The reality, though, is that they may be dealing with the same vulnerabilities as many of their audiences. Even in becoming a superhero, Nanjiani still struggles with issues he assumed would disappear with the right body. Despite the criticism, the Eternals star has continued to keep his fitness regimen and pursue what makes him feel good in his own body.

[Silent Watcher]

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