Mr Muscles

Action star Suniel Shetty tells Raghuvendra Singh that fitness is more about wellness than weights

- Raghuvendra Singh

The asli action star of showtown, Suniel Shetty, is now mentoring the participants of the reality show India’s Asli Champion… Hai Dum on &TV. The contestants are tested for their physical and mental endurance. And with a guru as driven as Suniel, it’s an invigorating experience for them. Following PM Narendra Modi’s Swacch Bharat Campaign, the actor has also initiated a Swasth Bharat campaign as an extension to India’s Asli Champion. “Swacchata and swasthata are interlinked,” he maintains pointing to the harmony between cleanliness and health. Suniel’s tryst with fitness began long ago… right when he was in school, which explains why he enjoys such a lean mean form even at the age of 55. In his own words…

MY FIRST INSPIRATION

As a child, my parents always encouraged sports. I was the captain of the various sports teams in school. But the turning point came when I met West Indian cricketer, Sir Vivian Richards, at the Taj hotel. I was 14 while he must have been around 22. I asked him for an autograph and while doing so he shook my hand. I was awestruck by the grip. “You’re so strong and tough. How do you have such strong forearms and arms?” I asked. He replied, “I weight train so I can hit the ball harder.” That stuck in my mind. I enjoyed playing cricket and I wanted to do the same. I couldn’t afford going to the gym, so I started doing pull-ups, push-ups, Surya namskar, dand baithak… and other forms of yoga. I also began training in martial arts and doing freehand exercises.

YO YOGA!