I’ve been to a sports school all my life so I have acquired a physique that doesn’t deteriorate if I let go ? and I let go pretty often. I do all kinds of things that one shouldn’t do to keep healthy, but when I put my mind to it I get back into shape quickly. I’ve realised that the body is a tool, the best tool you’ll ever have ? and you should not abuse it.The body should be active. In school I was a swimmer and we had to do a lot of cross-country racing. We were made to get up at 5.30 each day and run without fail. I took up riding, too. I loved it and developed a bond with animals. Riding became a hobby and, here in Mumbai, I am going to join an amateur riding club. I want to represent my country in some sport. I am also into target shooting. It gives me a real high. And that’s a pastime for which there’s no age bar. I think I’ve crossed the age of many endurance sports like athletics and swimming but these are sports which, with tenacity, you can practise and be perfect.

Right now, of course, I am concentrating on the craft of acting. I have worked out with a trainer earlier. I was preparing for a film called Ek which did not materialise. At that time, I needed a particular type of body because I was to play a terrorist, so I had this physical trainer called Sherve Vakil work on me. Ramu [Ram Gopal Varma] wanted a particular physique, conveying power but not of the gym-trained type. I managed to get a physique like Bruce Lee then. These days I’m working out with Shashi, another trainer. He’s into power fitness and I work out between one and three times every week. At times, I skip it for as long as two weeks. One needs motivation for this kind of thing, though, generally, I am an active person. I’d rather take the stairs than the elevator. I get these spells of hyperactivity and then there are times I eat chocolates and brownies and ice creams for days on end till I snap out of it. I did yoga before we shot for Monsoon Wedding and, I must say, it made me feel good. I practised the Iyengar form of yoga (but I must admit I haven’t practised it since). I am going to start practising some kind of martial arts. Tai chi, a martial art form, is also a viable option. But it’s very passive. I feel the need to practise something like that. Earlier, I was aggressive and I wanted to kick everyone so I wanted to learn kung fu. I am a Jat, which is why I am so aggressive. I can’t help it!

AS TOLD TO LATA KHUBCHANDANI

All in good time

I like the pain of a good workout. It makes me come alive.

I’d like to say to youngsters that if you work out in the gym, any bulk you acquire will go away.

It’s the freehand exercises you do that give you effects over a lifetime.

And the longer it takes you to build your physique, the longer it’ll last. So don’t look for quick fixes.

If you get a buffy body by eating protein and working out for a month, you’ll lose it in 10 days. I’ve realised that. So don’t be in a hurry to get those muscles.

Down but not out

I don’t work out regularly, since I injured my lower back when I was in class X. While showing off in front of some seniors, I went overboard and hurt myself. I was in bed for 10 days. It still hurts at times. When I first worked out, my experience was quite similar to Arnold Schwarznegger’s. I was working out at a friend’s place. He’s a local in Rohtak. I went and did a few bench presses in his backyard. Then I went home. But when I took my bike out for a ride, I discovered I couldn’t hold on to it. I couldn’t move my hands. I was in agony. But I still remember that pain with delight. I’d love to experience it again.