In the modest working-class neighbourhood of Chembur, many dreams have been made. There was a time when the famous RK Film and Studios—currently being transformed into a swanky residential destination—was the jewel in its crown. It made stars out of the ordinary. Some of the men in anthropologist Michiel Baas-s new book, Muscular India: Masculinity, Mobility and the New Middle Class Westland are the new heroes of this developing suburb.

Baas, who has spent a decade studying gyms, trainers and bodybuilders in India, first visited Chembur during the annual Ganpati celebrations, on a shiny-black Royal Enfield motorcycle. Riding him through the festive frenzy was Kishore, a fitness trainer and friend, whom he met over Facebook, years ago. "This was when trainers barely had an online presence, and Instagram had not yet arrived. I was doing some online research, when I came across a picture of Kishore [on Facebook]. He was doing a hand stand and seemed incredibly fit. I connected with him, and asked if he-d mind sharing his story with me. He asked me to meet him on a Sunday at Bandra Band Stand, right outside Salman Khan-s house. He used to go there quite frequently to catch a glimpse of Khan flexing his muscles in the balcony," recalls the Amsterdam-based researcher. The irony of discussing Kishore-s professional journey against the starry backdrop of his screen idol was not lost on Baas.