'I am a fashion freak'

Bollywood heartthrob Prateik Babbar was in the City for the launch of one of his favourite toys — and we’re not talking G I Joes and miniature cars here. The actor was present at the launch of a new range of high-pressure washers by Bosch Power Tools, India.

“This is my second time here in Bangalore,” recalls Prateik. “The last time I was here, I was very young and the only memory I have is of my mother’s friend’s house. I remember they had a race car and I used to love drives in it,” he says nostalgically, before going off to try out the new washers on heavy-duty vehicles. “I love the feeling of these tools in my hands,” he says.

He remembers how his love for power tools started when he used to visit his family in the United States and enjoy helping his cousins do their chores — using it as an excuse to play with their cleaning devices!

When asked about his dressing sense, Prateik looks down at his own manual-labourer wear – a simple white T-shirt with grey dungarees and laughs.
“I do have a couple of pairs of dungarees at home but I don’t usually wear them out.” He admits to being a slave to fashion.

“I am a fashion freak. I love sunglasses and rings. I’m a big fan of rings,” says the youth fashion icon.

Moving on to the much-discussed tattoo on his left arm, Prateik is more tight-lipped.
Trying to hide the tattoo dedicated to his beloved Ek Deewaana Tha co-star, Amy Jackson, the young actor blushes, “Yeh meri pyaar ki nishani hai — a symbol of my love. Sure enough, the arm-length tattoo sporting a dove and stars, blatantly reads, “Mera Pyaar.. Meri Amy,” while the actress has a reciprocal dove and the words ‘Mera Pyaar.. Mera Prateik’,” etched on her forearm.

After playing Genelia D’Souza’s eccentric brother in Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, the shy, reserved Munna in Dhobi Ghat, and opinionated student in Aarakshan, Prateik will be seen in an upcoming Banaras-based rendition of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
 Inspired by the thrill of operating the power tools, the actor discloses that he’d love to do an action movie in the future.