Faridabad, Aug 4 (IANS): Model-turned-actor Rahul Dev, also known for his impeccable physique and fitness, believes that the perception of fitness in Bollywood has changed over the years.

Asked about the fittest actors in Bollywood, Rahul mentioned Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff and Jacqueline Fernandez.

"I definitely think that the perception for fitness has changed in Bollywood. Young actors like Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff and Jacqueline Fernandez are extremely fit. They can spread awareness about fitness among the youth," Rahul told IANS at the launch of his gym Breathe here on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old also considers Akshay Kumar his "hero" for his enviable fitness.

"My hero is Akshay Kumar. He is extremely fit. At his age, he can do stunts which even Tiger Shroff may find hard to pull off," Rahul added.

An advocate of "functional fitness", he said that he has been training since the age of 15 and still follows a strict regime.

He also said that people generally go to gyms because they are "aspirational", but they end up taking short-cuts.

"People have to learn how to manage their own body weight in gyms. They generally go to gyms because they are aspirational but they want to take short-cuts.

"Milk is excellent for our body, but unless you are not utilizing it for our exercises, it is not worth anything," said the "Champion" actor, who was in Morocco to shoot scenes for Sajid Nadiadwala's action adventure film "Dishoom".

Rahul will soon be seen in Punjabi film "Ramta Jogi".