Most of you may be familiar with Kumail Nanjiani as the actor and stand-up comedian who starred in 2017's rom-com, The Big Sick.
The Oscar-nominated film was loosely based on his relationship with now-wife Emily V. Gordon, with whom he co-wrote the screenplay.
Nanjiani is also known for his work on HBO's Silicon Valley and starring with Dave Bautista in the mismatched pair comedy, Stuber.
Last year, TIME named Nanjiani as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
What many people do not realize is that the 41-year-old Pakistani-American has a jacked body.
Like, the guy is seriously chiseled with a fiercely pumped physique.
But how were we to know? His bod has remained mostly obscured from the public over the years with a variety of sensible shirts. Until now.
The public got a hint of his strong physique when his bulging biceps peeking from his short sleeves caused whiplash from fans attending D23—Disney's bi-annual fan club exposition—where he promoted his new Marvel movie The Eternals.
@kumailn EXCUSE ME????? https://t.co/C7eG42Pi3O— Flyra Glass (@Flyra Glass)1566694928.0
Like Jarett Wieselman says, he did not see this coming.
I WAS NOT PREPARED https://t.co/koTNWuS6g0— Jarett Wieselman (@Jarett Wieselman)1576513973.0
The Jack-of-all-trades entertainer audaciously tantalized followers with a shirtless pic on Instagram, where he downplayed his ripped abs with some facts and honesty.
It all started when he discovered he was cast in the upcoming superhero movie The Eternals.
"I never thought I'd be one of those people who would post a thirsty shirtless, but I've worked way too hard for way too long so here we are."
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
He realized it was time to make changes to his physique and threw down the gauntlet.
Behold: a beefed-up Kumail Nanjiani – body-builder/comedian extraordinaire who can crush you with his wit.
"I found out a year ago I was going to be in Marvel's 'Eternals' and decided I wanted to transform how I looked."
@kumailn Knew there was a reason why you're getting ripped!— Brando Alvarez (@Brando Alvarez)1566694632.0
But he couldn't do it on his own.
Fortunately for him, Hollywood financed his goals.
"I would not have been able to do this if I didn't have a full year with the best trainers and nutritionists paid for by the biggest studio in the world."
"I'm glad I look like this, but I also understand why I never did before."
@JarettSays Those Marvel trainers man...— Bhryent (@Bhryent)1576514818.0
He gave a shout-out to his team of trainers who got him well-acquainted with pain and soreness from months of training sessions.
@JarettSays Is Marvel responsible for this if yes I'm sending them a casserole.— Mattonna (@Mattonna)1576517870.0
Most importantly, the actor was grateful to the team for keeping him free from injury.
"It would have been impossible without these resources and time. So big thanks to @grantrobertsfit who started working with me at the beginning of the year and made me understand true physical pain for months and months."
"Then, once we started shooting, a massive thanks to @davidhigginslondon and his team (@ellispartridge, @thebeardypt, @tomcheesemanfitness) for training me almost every day and making me strong, limber and injury-free."
@kumailn Can I borrow some biceps?— John E. McDonald (@John E. McDonald)1566694711.0
@kumailn Looking swole, sir.— mark englert (@mark englert)1566717565.0
@kumailn I’m 1000% behind BUILT Kumail Nanjiani; you’re hiding nothing with that brachioradialis game brother— Joe Marcy (@Joe Marcy)1566787014.0
While people were fawning over the hunk, one fan acknowledged this major milestone.
@kumailn CONGRATULATIONS 🎊🎉🎈 AND YOURE THE FIRST SOUTH ASIAN SUPERHERO IN A @Marvel FILM!— AMRAPALI AMBEGAOKAR (@AMRAPALI AMBEGAOKAR)1566701476.0
@kumailn AMAZING!!!! Congrats, buddy. 20 years ago, did we ever think you'd be a superhero? So proud of you.— Sheba Najmi (@Sheba Najmi)1566695012.0
@kumailn The diversity makes me so happy. What a cast!— Marcus Z. Erenberger (@Marcus Z. Erenberger)1566694875.0
Fans of Silicon Valley—in which Nanjiani plays Java programmer Dinesh Chugtai—are looking forward to seeing some sort of irreverent nod to his newly beefy bod.
@kumailn Gonna need some workout tips good sir. Also I can’t wait for jacked Dinesh in Silicon Valley 😂— The Den of Nerds (@The Den of Nerds)1566749370.0
@kumailn I just want to see how Gilfoyle responds to a ripped Dinesh.— Sean Muir (@Sean Muir)1566699483.0
@kumailn How are they going to explain Dinesh's new physique?— Hindsight2020 (@Hindsight2020)1566694830.0
@kumailn Are you gonna be all ripped in the final season of Silicon Valley?— Tyler Herbst (@Tyler Herbst)1566694789.0
We have a new moniker for the almighty Kumail Nanjiani.
@kumailn Kumail Strongiani— Sean McCrea (@Sean McCrea)1566695717.0
And while he may appear intimidating and dominant on the outside, some things about him remain the same.
@kumailn It makes he angry how handsome you are...but then I think about what a nice person you seem to be and I’m not angry anymore— Paul of the Garden (@Paul of the Garden)1566741913.0
Nanjiani joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe as swordsman Kingo in The Eternals and will be joined by cast mates Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden and Kit Harington.
The next action-packed successor to The Avengers as a part of Marvel's Phase Four slate of films centers on the female hero Sersi and will feature a predominantly female cast.
The film, directed b Chloé Zhaois, is scheduled for a November 6, 2020 release.
At the end of his Instagram post, "Strongiani" thanked his wife Emily for putting up with his daily dialogue about diet and fitness in preparation for his role and ensured:
"I promise I'll be interesting again some day."
Sounds like the humble actor still has his self-deprecating sense of humor on flex.
Nanjiani's film The Big Sick is available here.