A few months back, we wrote on the insane body transformation of Pakistani-American Kumail Nanjiani. As crazy as that was, it has now descended into a cesspool of racism and steroid accusations.
Nanjiani, who grew to fame in films like The Big Sick, and Stuber, got a major opportunity to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was offered a roll in Eternals, and decided to hit the gym to get into “super hero shape.”
Several months later, he unveiled his newly shredded physique, to the shock and awe of all onlookers. He went from being a fairly nondescript, somewhat scrawny nerdy stereotype, to a shredded beefcake in no time.
While most people who saw this were impressed, others are not so enthralled with the transformation of Kumail Nanjiani. He posted a photo to social media recently, that brought out those haters in full force.
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The photo itself was not very controversial, with Kumail enjoying some cake. However people flocked to the comments, and shared other photos of Kumail, accusing him of using steroids.
“It’s really funny that Kumail had to take a bunch of steroids for a movie and then Covid hit so he just kept having to do steroids for a year”
It's really funny that Kumail had to take a bunch of steroids for a movie and then Covid hit so he just kept having to do steroids for a year
— David Spector (@spectordeforce) January 3, 2021
“so my ex was a bodybuilder and took steroids and yes kumail is undoubtably taking steroids look at 1) veins and 2) the jaw.”
so my ex was a bodybuilder and took steroids and yes kumail is undoubtably taking steroids look at 1) veins and 2) the jaw. https://t.co/xuxEWQiN8T
— cari is celebrating 1 year of astrology studies☄️ (@carithis) January 3, 2021
This left fans of Nanjiani with no choice but to come to his defense. Several people responded, accusing haters of being racist because there was none of this type of criticism for other MCU actors who got jacked.
“Chris Evans gets jacked for Captain America: “😍🤩😍🤩”
Chris Hemsworth gets jacked for Thor: “😍🤩😍🤩”
Chris Pratt gets jacked for Star-Lord: “😍🤩😍🤩”
Kumail Nanjiani gets jacked for Eternals: “He’s clearly using steroids”
I can’t qwhite see what’s the difference.”
Chris Evans gets jacked for Captain America: “😍🤩😍🤩”
Chris Hemsworth gets jacked for Thor: “😍🤩😍🤩”
Chris Pratt gets jacked for Star-Lord: “😍🤩😍🤩”
Kumail Nanjiani gets jacked for Eternals: “He’s clearly using steroids”
I can’t qwhite see what’s the difference.
— alias (@itsjustanx) January 3, 2021
“Kumail Nanjiani looks awesome af and I wish I looked as half as good as him.
Y’all clearly didn’t learn your lessons from making fun of Chadwick Boseman’s physical appearance.
Notice how y’all only make fun of the men of color, but not your white favs.”
Kumail Nanjiani looks awesome af and I wish I looked as half as good as him.
Y'all clearly didn't learn your lessons from making fun of Chadwick Boseman's physical appearance.
Notice how y'all only make fun of the men of color, but not your white favs. pic.twitter.com/9ge7z4v3Lj
— Professional Fool Runner 🇵🇷 🤜🏼👈🏼 (@RunTheFools4) January 3, 2021
“Chris Pratt can bulk up for a marvel movie and everyone is cool with is.
Kumail Nanjiani does it and people call him “grotesque” and assume he’s using steroids.
I hate it here.”
Chris Pratt can bulk up for a marvel movie and everyone is cool with is.
Kumail Nanjiani does it and people call him “grotesque” and assume he’s using steroids.
I hate it here. pic.twitter.com/9LSfvreUtc
— Michelle (@meesh_llegos) January 3, 2021
The fact of the matter is that, while steroids are controversial, there is nothing wrong with Kumail Nanjiani having used them for a movie role, if that is the case. Provided he did it in a healthy way, of course.
Read also: Kumail Nanjiani Shares The Workouts That Got Him Looking Like A Marvel Hero
It is a good point that there are a lot of other people who have not gotten this type of flack. It is interesting to consider why this might be the case, but either way it is a crazy situation to say the least.
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A lot of people are claiming that Kumail is being “body-shamed”.
I would argue that the secret use of steroids to achieve transformative results is itself a form of body-shaming — it certainly promotes the false belief that such results can be attained relatively easily, and in just a few short months, which will have a demoralizing effect on men pursuing weightlifting and bodybuilding using natural means.
“The fact of the matter is that… there is nothing wrong with Kumail… having used [steroids] for a movie role[.]”
I agree: nothing wrong with steroid, or any other PED, use — provided you are using them safely, and being honest about it. And fact of the matter here is, it’s pretty obvious that Kumail used PEDs to achieve his results, and is being less than honest about it.
“It is a good point that there are a lot of other people who have not gotten this type of flack.”
It really isn’t a good point, though, especially considering the examples provided — Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, etc. These men all had more mass prior to their (much less radical) development of muscular physiques. You mentioned it yourself — Kumail went from a scrawny, soft-boiled nerd to a swole, square-jawed alpha in a handful of months. Nothing natural about that.
Appreciate the take, though, bro — keep it up!