Six-Packs Don't Make You A Star!

Sooraj Pancholi is an Instagram icon courtesy his body beautiful. Every picture he posts of his diligently sculpted form invites female hysteria and male envy. Yet, Sooraj claims he’s more than his body. He insists that working out for him is more about the calming effect it brings, the composure it lends to his persona. He values the meditative effect it has on his being. For him, it’s the mind and body being in harmony, in absolute sync. Read on in his own words...

- Suman Sharma

FITNESS IS MEDITATION”

People assume I developed this body because I wanted to be an actor. But I began exercising way before that. I first went to the gym when I was 14. It’s been 13 years since. I happened to watch a documentary on body building called Pumping Iron featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. It changed my outlook. Later, watching Hollywood films like Rambo, Rocky... got me into action training like martial arts. I also trained in Taekwondo for 10 years.

While in school, I was not good in academics. Rather, I was good in sports. It was the only time I could show my skills. I was a good runner. I played football well and still do on Sundays with my college friends. I played hockey for a while too. Today, fitness not only enhances my physicality it also keeps me mentally stable. Working out releases stress. Exercise is like meditation for me. I have two trainers, Rajeev Singh for cardio and weight training and Vikas Barua for martial arts. When I’m outdoors for a shoot, I take them along. If that’s not possible, I consult them over the phone.

“SLEEP IS AS IMPORTANT AS WORKING OUT”