Mumbai, May 15 (IANS): Actor Tarun Khanna underwent a rigorous diet control plan and workout regime to lose weight for a segment in a television show "Chandragupta Maurya".

The historical saga's ongoing track shows Ambhi Kumar (Ankur Nayyar) has trapped Chandragupta (Kartikey Malviya) and Chanakya (Tarun Khanna) in dark pit where he has challenged them to survive in extreme situations and find their way out of the pit.

After the five-year leap in the Sony Entertainment Television show, Chankaya and Chandragupta eventually find their way out of the pit, and to fit the character of Chanakya post leap, Tarun chose to lose weight.

Tarun said in a statement: "I really enjoyed the role of Chanakya in 'Chandragupta Maurya' and I consider the show to be very close to my heart. I always try to give my best while acting so that the audiences enjoy the show as much as I enjoy doing it.

"At the moment, we are showcasing one of the most difficult challenges faced by Chandragupta Maurya, which was surviving in the pit for 5 years. As the show will take a 5-year leap, we are finally coming out of a dark pit where we weren't provided with sufficient food or basic necessities. My character demanded me to look thin and lean and hence, I lost close to 8 kg within 20 days to suit the part."

Tarun said he is a vegetarian.

"I skipped taking proteins and increased my intake of water. I included water-based fruits in my diet which helped me stay hydrated and light throughout day. Instead of the gym, I used to do long distance running," he said.