What was your first work? How did the journey start?
I worked for myself. When I was in college, some of my seniors outsourced their projects and paid for it. I enjoy creating fresh stuff. I had knowledge and interest and my subject matter was excellent. I used to build projects for my seniors and get paid for it. My first pay cheque was for Rs. 6000. That was my pocket money all through college.

Why should people read about you?
There are many different types of people in the world, so why me? I regard myself as distinct from others. I don’t really see the world the same way that others do. Some people see the world in the same way that I do. I love asking a lot of questions and getting answers from them. I enjoy positive change. The world has improved. I’m on a journey that people should know of. Truth can only be discovered through debate. I was indeed the guy next door, watching films with opposing worldviews. I had no idea what to do. Now, life is great, and I’m doing well with the love that people have given me.

How did you enter the modeling field? What were the challenges you faced?
I dropped out of engineering thinking whether to get into the acting field or not. I didn’t know how to get into it. The closest thing that I had to acting was modeling. Few of my college friends were into modeling. I got a few compliments for my height and looks. It doesn’t matter how your looks are, rather should be more dedicated, passionate about it. There are a lot of restrictions when it comes to modeling. There’s a certain way to do things. You have to look a certain way. It’s a very big responsibility. The discipline you need to have as a model. Hats off to all the models, who have been surviving for a long period. I was a freelance model for a few years. I transitioned from that to another business. Being a model is high maintenance.

What kind of a person are you?
I’m a person who likes to gain courage. I want everyone to grow as a human and don’t need to be contemptuous. I can’t be happy, if someone around me isn’t.

What are your other passions and hobbies?
I read books and play PC games. A few good things I do when I’m free are go down my streets and help people who are in need. That indeed brings happiness to them and makes me happy too. In some way or the other, all of us should try and help to bring a smile to their faces. We just need to have that attitude of helping others who are in need.

What is your fitness & skincare regime?
Before the big boss, my fitness levels were very strong. I wake up at 6.30AM every morning, go to the gym, crash back home, and have a few detox juices like ABC. I have at least two glasses of fresh juice every day. Weekly once or twice, I also take steam. In the evenings, I go for my workouts again. I just wash my face with soap and drink a lot of water. I sometimes also do facials. Citrus fruits, water and liquids are the main things to maintain the elasticity of your skin.

As a fitness freak, what does a gym mean to you?
My favourite place to go is the gym. It requires a lot of dedication and discipline for my work. Gym is the only place, where you have to beat yourself and cross your limits that you set for yourself. Also, adding to that you should have more willpower to go beyond your boundaries. I saw how my body changed after going to the gym and that’s what keeps me motivated. Even in real life, when we see the results, it pushes us to thrive for more in that particular area. In the initial stages of gymming, I used to lift 1 kg weights and then progressed rapidly. If we do something with passion, dedication and discipline, we can all improve. This is what gym has taught me.

Who is your inspiration? What keeps you motivated?
There are few people who inspire me. Jiddu Krishnamurthi – a world teacher, has taught a lot of things to the world. Everyone must start reading about J. Krishnamurthi. Elon Musk is another person who is very inspiring. He came from nothing, and he has everything today.

After big boss, why did you choose Ultimate?
Big boss kept my mind entertained. After entering into it, I had to deal with the housemates psychologically. Analysing what’s going to happen next all the time. I thought, I’ll win, but for some odd reason I didn’t. So when I got a chance in Ultimate I said yes. I played Season 5 of Big Boss just as a game, but in Ultimate, I want to actually live.

You have been quoted saying Yashika is the reason behind your success? How do you share a beautiful bond even after a breakup?
That’s totally because we shared beautiful memories together. It’s sad that after sharing so many emotions with someone, we leave them because of a small issue. If that issue is the reason, the emotions become fully fake. Why hate that life you lived. I didn’t want to do that. Also, why should a relationship always end with a fight? There’s something apart from that as well. It can also end in a good way.

– By Kirubakshini