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| Robin Singh at Hyatt Regency’s Club Prana. Pictures by Rashbehari Das |
Fresh from a Nehru Cup victory where the 22-year-old scored a crucial goal in the tie-breaker against Cameroon in the final, striker Robin Singh is on a high. In a chat with t2, Robin said it like only Robin can..!
ROBIN THE FOOTBALLER
‘The win was brilliant’
It was my senior squad debut as well and winning a Cup on your debut is always special. I played well and there are brighter things to come. My goal boosted my confidence. Coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute and the coach (Wim Koevermans) saying that you are going to take the first penalty in the final… I wasn’t nervous. I have always said that I am an entertainer. The bigger the crowd, the more fun it is for me! So, when he said that I was going to take the first penalty, I was happy. I had the confidence that I could win this Cup. Beating Cameroon is a big task. Number 59 (now 61) in the world! It weighs on paper, but I don’t believe in rankings ever. On the field, it is 11 vs 11.
‘We were all dancing together’
Apart from congratulating everybody, we danced in the bus. That always happens after a win! I was dancing to Halkat jawani and also Chikni Chameli, I think! We were all dancing together — Sunil Chetri and the rest of the boys. I don’t need a partner to dance. I am good for two! (Laughs) Good for 50! I start the after-party! I am waiting for Saturday.
ROBIN THE HOMEMAKER
‘Finally I am living alone’
My new house in Rajarhat is ready! It is a bachelor’s pad on the 18th floor and there is breeze 24x7. I just feel like a king over there watching my people down there! Singh is King! In East Bengal, they call me Derby Dynamo and the Derby Dynamo lives up high! When I am done with practising, I want to stay away from the noise and rest in peace. I like to do my own thing. I don’t like rules. So, I do what I want to do and when I want to do. Finally, I am living alone. So, it is going to be a cracker, but I’ll also have to be responsible. I have to sleep and wake up on time. Mum’s coming to put the final touches. I have got my PlayStation, my DJ equipment. I play for myself... house and commercial. I listen to Tiesto and Hardwell. I wake up with Tiesto and go to sleep with Sufi.
ROBIN THE CALCUTTAN
Calcutta’s been great! At the moment, I am loving my time in East Bengal and Calcutta and I want to play in Calcutta for the longest time possible.
ROBIN THE PARTY ANIMAL
‘There will be Jagerbombs!’
On Saturday, I might just have a party at my own house with a few of my close friends and teammates. There will be some Jagerbombs or beerbombs for sure, but no spin-the-bottle! (Laughs) There would also be a quiet dinner... no actually a quiet loud dinner! I’ll get some games, a dart board, and get people drunk! Obviously, there is no point in going out, with the 11pm deadline. So, I bring the party home!
I have been partying all over the country except Calcutta! Recently, I was partying in Dubai, I was there for about 20 days. I was at Cavalli Club, but one place I really liked was Cirque du Soleil. It is a brilliant club… good music, good people. At midnight, they perform for about an hour and that also to house music! So, I was loving it! My elder sister lives there and I just had a nephew. So Robin Singh is Robin Uncle now! Yeah! Now that just sounds very bad… but yes! Uncle went partying… I just sound like a child molester right now (laughs)!
‘I have danced on the Roxy bartop when I was 12! No, I am just kidding!’
I love Shiro in Delhi. They play good house and commercial music. It is not very crowded and so, you are not bumping into people while dancing. I need my space when I am dancing because I am really sweaty! I can shuffle... my style is more freestyle. I had also enrolled for salsa and have danced on the Roxy bartop 10 years back when I was 12! No, I am just kidding!
I have stopped partying in Calcutta because of the deadline… but when I play in Calcutta, I’d rather play than party. I really want to play well this season. So, I am off the party circuit (here). No… but, now that I am back, I will party and when I party, people will know that I have partied! The professional Robin Singh lives in Calcutta and the Robin Uncle parties out of the camera space! (Laughs)
Did I sneak into the hotel nightclub while playing Nehru Cup? No! I shouldn’t say that on record! No! No! (Laughs) I did not sneak in! (Laughs) The coach was very strict. Now that I am back, I’ll have about two Saturdays to settle in, party my nights off and then back to soccer. I need my outlet. Monday to Friday, it’s all about serious soccer. Saturday party. Sunday rest. Monday back to soccer.
HE’S SINGLE, LADIES!
What would you write in an ad looking for a date? Robin Singh. I am the after-party!
Who are your party buddies?
Tolgay (Ozbey) and I have new teammates coming and one of them is Kevin Lobo. I have a junior called Jayabrata (Dhar) who plays in Pailan Arrows. He is also with me. And obviously, I never have a boy’s night out!
So, a lot of girls?
Yeah! The hot ones!
Who are these hot ones?
Hot ones! Enough said!
If we say we have pictures...
Which ones? As long as I am not kissing anyone, I am happy!
So who are you seeing now?
I was in love with a girl in Delhi when I came to Calcutta. We are no longer seeing each other. Now, I am single and happening! Yeah, I have got pretty ladies around.
What kind of a girl would you like to date?
Someone who I can take home. And when I say take home, it does not mean to my room. I would take her to my parents first before she sees the bedroom! My mum knows every girl I have dated. I am closest to my family and I only trust them. Something they don’t like, I would never do! I would like someone who respects my family first and I respect a woman as a woman before she is my girlfriend.
How many women have you dated?
I have had my fair share of fun. I have sent flowers all across the world, but to one girl at a given point of time. (Laughs) No, honestly, I haven’t dated much! Less than 10... I wear my heart on my sleeve. And I have never been refused! That’s because I think 10 times before approaching someone. I am shy that way. Also, what if she slaps me! I’m taking it easy now. I’ll see what comes my way.
Have you ever had a boring date?
Do you think I can have a boring date! I am an entertainer!
And the most romantic one?
I sang for someone... she was thoroughly embarrassed.
And for a matrimonial column?
Robin Singh. 6’2’’. Hails from Delhi. Tall, dark, handsome...
You are not dark!
Okay.... tall, fair, handsome! (Laughs) Muscular, thin, well-built. Looking for a cool, calm, composed hot Brazilian woman who loves to party just like me and loves to dance. She should be able to both dance and take care of my parents at the same time. She should also have a good sense of humour. I am impressed by a woman who can dance well. Just the thought that if she dances alone like that, what is it going to be like when she dances with me.... For some reason, I like Deepika Padukone. She is hot and she’s got meat at the right places!... I want a love marriage, but won’t mind an arranged love marriage. I would love to have a daughter because if I have a son, he would be just like me!
What would you wear on a date?
I love dressing up. If I have to impress someone, I would wear a white shirt, ripped jeans and a nice pair of orange suede shoes.
And, what would you like to see her in?
I like dresses on girls... not too short... not too long! Just right... let the mystery be there.
