Model turned actor AmitMehra represented India in the distinguished pageant of Mr. Universe 2018 – 19 held in the Dominican Republic. In past, Amit was also a contestant on KhatronKeKhiladi Season four, hosted by Akshay Kumar and was highly appreciated for his performance of Lord Shiva in SankatMochanMahabaliHanumaan on Sony TV. The Mumbai based actor will be playing a bad guy on screen in his next action-comedy film ‘Arjun Patiala’ starring DiljitDosanjh and KritiSanon. He has bagged another negative role in ‘Marjaavaan’ starring SiddharthMalhotra and RiteishDeshmukh, directed by MilapZaveri. On a relaxing evening, Amit exclusively spoke to TMM about his role in Arjun Patiala, his passion for travel, learning the nuances of acting and representing India at Mr Universe. Excerpts from the interview:
Amit Mehra, Tell us about your character in Arjun Patiala and how was the experience?
I play a bad guy in the film. There are a couple of stunts which involves my fights with Diljit. The character of Arjun is played by Diljit, I found him to be a very sweet guy and a humble person. I wasn’t thinking that I was shooting with a big star. When you share screen space with Diljit and Varun Sharma, it’s a laugh riot situation. The production house (Maddock films, T-Series), actors, technicians, we all had an amazing time shooting Arjun Patiala.
Amit Mehra, One of your Instagram posts says, ‘The greatest Gift to a man is a Women and greatest Gift to a Women is herself’, who are the women in your life who deeply inspired you?
There’s not one, but there are many. It is not only about having your own girlfriend, I have my mom, sisters, lot of female friends, everyone has inspired me a lot. I think I have more female friends than male (laughs). They are like my buddies, irrespective of gender, we share a very cordial relationship with each other.
Amit Mehra, You have played Lord Shiva in SankatmochanMahabaliHanumaan, what changes the character brought in you?
It did bring changes in many ways, I myself is a big follower of Lord Shiva. I played the same role in Mahabharata as well. When you perform such a character there are a lot of audience expectations. People start treating you like you are God which you aren’t, not even one per cent. Initially the show was one of the top shows on TV and not only in India, but still, one of the top shows in Thailand. When I visited Thailand and saw the response, I was stunned to see such a big following of Lord Shiva. These reactions raise your responsibilities as an actor, makes you work hard to deliver your best so that people keep loving you.
Amit Mehra, How is a normal day for AmitMehra?
It depends, for most of the time, I get up at 5 am, I go to the gym for two and a half to three hours. After that, I have a super heavy breakfast. Don’t ask me what I eat during the day, it is possibly a diet of a person for a month (laughs). Then I have meetings scheduled for movies, or media interviews, In the evening, I spend time with friends for coffee or dinner, sometimes I go for a movie. If I am shooting a project, then it’s like from 7 am to 7 pm. If I am travelling outside India it’s different, so every day is a new day. There are a couple of things I make sure I perform daily. I make sure that I go to the gym, take care of my diet, and pray every day.
Amit Mehra, From Poland to Italy to Macau to London, you like to explore new cultures, how would you describe it?
If you tell me I can fly every single day, then I will fly to the US and come back (laughs). Once a friend who resides in London was unwell, as I got to know about it, I sat in my car, fortunately, I had my passport in the bag, I booked my ticket and straightway went to the airport and flew to London. I am like a jetsetter, I love exploring different cultures and meeting new people. I am always hungry to learn something new; be it food, culture, exploring places. I probably want to travel throughout the globe. I wish to do a bike or a car trip from Mumbai to Europe, maybe London, that would be amazing. At the end of the day, when I will be around 60 years, I would like all these experiences to share with people.
When you represented India in July 2018 on a platform like Mr. Universe competing with so many countries, what kind of pressure was on you and how did you handle it?
It was an amazing experience, as there were around 45 countries who participated in the pageant. Everyone was so nice, that there was no pressure at all. All the contestants belonging to different nationalities behaved like brothers, we used to have breakfast together in the morning, complete the competition related stuff, party during the night. Everyone; be it, organisers, the contestants, all were so humble and cordial. The best part was, all the contestants were attracted to India, during our evening interactions they shared the idea about visiting India and know more about the country.
You had also taken theatre acting class from Tom Logan (USA), how has it helped you in preparing for Bollywood?
I feel when you have a godfather, or someone is there in your circle to assist you on your path, then it becomes easy but with me, it wasn’t like the same. I have noticed that to enter Bollywood, people do everything. They would go to the gym, they will build their body, they will learn dancing, they will do stunts, but they don’t know how to act. Acting is a major thing, rest are all supplements; of course, you can cover up other stuff but on camera, you must perform with face and eyes, that’s most important. When I came to Mumbai I wanted to get into acting. Since I was into modelling, I was very comfortable in front of the camera. If someone tells me that you must be nude in front of the camera, I won’t mind. I started with theatre acting and then I realised I need to do something more. Then I went to the US, did an acting course from LA, I came back that’s how the journey started. As an actor, you must polish yourself every single day. I make sure whatever I do, I do the best.
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