10 Bollywood celebrities and their non-negotiable habits

You see them on screen, all glammed up and glowing. But what keeps Bollywood’s biggest stars truly grounded? Tiny, unshakeable habits. Deepika’s calm start to the day. Akshay’s strict bedtime. These rituals are their secret sauce. They might live in the spotlight, but their real strength lies in what they do when no one’s watching. Ready to explore the routines they live by?

Deepika Padukone is very strict about removing her makeup before sleeping. She says, “The one thing I never not do is not take off my makeup at night. That’s the one thing I’m extremely disciplined about.”

She also never leaves the house without applying sunscreen and emphasises on reapplying it every 2-3 hours when she's indoors.

Deepika starts her mornings with hot water and quiet time and avoids jumping straight onto her phone. She also doesn't believe in doing intense workouts in the morning and prefers gradual warm-ups like yoga stretches, cat-cow, and spine mobility excercises.

She also enjoys cleaning and pottering around the house. She calls it her way of decluttering her mind. This is part of her “less is more, but consistent” philosophy.

SRK is known for his strict work ethic. He says, "I just work very hard and I am very focused. I don't think too much, I don't believe too much, I just do it." What is extremely important to him is that one shot he gives in front of the camera.

Being disciplined and consistent is non-negotiable for him. His work ethic is so strong that no matter what happens, he shows up. He continues to push himself even when motivation dips.

In many interviews, SRK also says he eats very simply (sprouts, grilled chicken, greens) and restricts his meals (1 or 2 meals a day) to maintain control. After long shoots, he ensures he gets some exercise (“he doesn’t enjoy it if he doesn’t sweat,” says his trainer) and maintains fitness as a constant habit.

For Alia Bhatt, fitness is a non-negotiable habit and she says: “The trick is to show up, even on the days you don’t feel like it … I told myself, just 30 minutes. And I did.”

Structuring her time carefully and setting boundaries is also very important for Alia. She believes in saying no and declining commitments so she’s not overextended. She says, “After more than 12 years … I’ve learned to structure my time carefully… I set boundaries — if a day is for my daughter, it's for her.”

Alia also emphasises focusing on one film at a time and limiting overlapping commitments, so that she can be fully present. She says that when she’s on a film set, she gives her “100 per cent — there’s no compromise.”

Akshay Kumar lives by the principle of sleeping early and rising with the sun, a routine he considers non-negotiable, as he believes the sunrise sets the tone for the entire day. He says, “My day starts at 4 a.m. – 4:30 a.m… I sleep early by 9 pm-9:30 pm.” For Akshay, his early-morning period is “for himself” — before family or external demands intrude.

Another habit that's non-negotiable for Akshay is that he doesn’t eat anything (not even snacks) after 6:30 pm, even at parties. He states he has adhered to this rule for around 20 years. He argues that this gives the digestive system rest overnight. While he doesn’t obsessively count calories or protein, he insists on control in timing and habits.

Priyanka once said during an interview that she can't work with people she doesn't like anymore. For her, that is non-negotiable. She said she has to like, admire, and look up to the people she works with. She wants to be excited and inspired about going to work.

Priyanka Chopra also refuses to take parts that fit stereotypes like “the exotic girl” or “the nerdy Indian” because she wants to play meaningful, real characters with depth.

One rule she follows to this day is respecting people's time. She believes that if you want your time to be respected, you need to respect people's time.

For Virat Kohli, sleep is non-negotiable. For him, getting over 8 hours of sleep is crucial for his recovery and performance. Anuskha also said that Virat ensures he gets adequate rest. He considers it something he has control over and won’t compromise on.

Virat also reportedly maintains a strict fitness regimen, including cardio, HIIT, and training. He avoids junk food and sugary drinks. Virat also once said that the taste of food is not that important to him. He prioritise nutritional value and eats for functionality. This physical discipline is seen as integral to his performance and longevity.

Ranveer has admitted he didn’t maintain a work–life balance for a long time. He says that if it were up to him, he’d work 18 hours a day, and he’s obsessed with his craft.

In interviews, he mentions a daily ritual: after hair & makeup, he kneels in his vanity van and says a prayer of gratitude (even though he says he’s not “religious” in a strict sense).

He has spoken about not being result-oriented but being deeply invested in the process: the preparation, the art, the craft—not just success or fame.

Kareena describes her routine as "almost monastic." She says, "My dinner is at 6 p.m, lights out by 9:30 p.m, morning workouts before the world wakes up."

Regarding diet, Kareena insists on one good home-cooked meal every day, practices portion control and avoids fad diets, instead opting for traditional foods like dal, rice, khichdi, parathas and ghee. She doesn't agree with those trendy food myths like quinoa and air.

She begins her day with dry fruits (almonds, raisins, figs) soon after waking up, and then has simple Indian-style breakfasts (paratha, poha, etc.).

For Hrithik, continuous growth, discipline, and fitness are inseparable from his identity. He says these are non-negotiable. It even goes beyond the film's requirements.

He emphasises the importance of being persistent. He believes that the path to becoming your best self is paved with consistency, curiosity, and pushing limits.

To sustain his performance over time, he prioritises smart training, recovery, sleep, and injury management.

In a 2025 interview, he said he doesn’t define himself by being number one or making the most money; rather, he sees hard work as a means to freedom and choice, and prioritises joy and integrity over chasing fame.

Anushka prioritises having consistent eating and sleeping patterns. She has an early dinner, around 5:30–6:00 p.m., and then sleeps early as well. She says this habit came out of convenience with her daughter.

Over time, she saw real benefits: better rest, more energy, a clearer mind, less brain fog. Her meal times and sleep schedules are reportedly “fixed” even when the family is travelling.

In a recent statement, she reflected that she “would react too quickly” in the past, but now she practises a calmer, more considered approach to situations. She credits this shift with improving her quality of life and influencing her relationship with Virat.

In the past, Anushka stressed in interviews that she chooses what to share of her life, and resists letting the opinions of others control her actions. She makes her decisions based on what gives her peace rather than chasing public approval.

Their habits say a lot — but their signature scents say even more. Don’t miss the article below on What Your Favourite Bollywood Stars Smell Like.