Page 15 - CineBuster Vol-3 Issue-04

fitness regimen evolved?
I train to have fun. I don’t work out to smash reps. I like to
compete during my sessions, and mix it up - repetition is
for the braindead. I couldn’t train on the same machines
day in, day out. I like to climb stairs, shadow box, ensure
my kung fu kicks are up to scratch, jump off boxes and
rock climb. Hydrotherapy is my new favourite form of
exercise... it offers high resistance with no impact. Parkour
will always be a hobby, but you can only jump off so many
rooftops until your life flashes before your eyes, so I prefer
to save those moves for the big screen. Fitness is about
balance. There’s no need to push yourself so hard in the
gym one day that you can’t return the next. Listen to your
body, and stay attuned to nature. Don’t be the fool who
takes substances to enhance muscles you’ll never be able
to maintain. Natural is sexy.

What’s a life lesson you’ve taken away from your martial
arts training?
Never fight in anger. When someone tries to hurt or humiliate
me, I’m entirely capable of lashing out and retaliating twice
as hard. But then I remember my three idols - my father,
Gandhiji and Bruce Lee, who once said, “Flow like water,
anger is only poison for the heart.” In life, as in martial arts,
do what you do out of love and passion, and if you’ve got
to fight, do it only to protect your loved ones.

How have you managed to stay relevant for 25 years in
such a brutal business?
The only thing that attracts audience is change, because it’s
intriguing. On my part, I keep myself alive by not settling for
what’s comfortable or easy.

Tell us about your forthcoming films ?
I am shooting for Prithviraj, then there’s Bachchan Pandey,
Atrangi Re. I am playing transgender in Laxmmi Bomb. All
have varied subjects.

You have always said that clashes between big films
are avoidable. You even pushed “Pad-Man” to give
“Padmaavat” a free run in January 2018.
Yes, I have always believed that big films should never
clash. But then, we have 210 films and just 52 Fridays, and
I guess the release clashes are bound to happen and will
increase now. Everyone wants the best possible release for
their movie.

Which decade of your movie-making career have you
most enjoyed? How have they been different?
The first decade was the Khiladi days. I was only doing
action. In the second decade, I tried my hand at other things
- comedy and romance - and tried to get the directors and

13 CINE BUSTER n MARCH 15 n 2020