'I can't choose acting over boxing'

CHAMPION STREAK

The boxing champion is ready to hit the box office next week. Having emerged victorious at the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Vijender Singh is now hoping that his debut movie Fugly becomes a hit too.

It’s been challenging for him to balance two different professions but the energetic champion has taken them in his stride. 

“I play the role of a boy named Gaurav, who is from a political family. He is extremely fun-loving, mischievous and troubles the character portrayed by Arfi Lamba a lot,” he chuckles. “The movie gives out a social message — the fight against the ugly in society. I want the audience to take back this message of fighting whatever is ugly and urge them to go against it.” His association with Bollywood began when he met Akshay Kumar at an event in 2008. “It was a great feeling when Bollywood beckoned me. Akshay asked if I could do a movie and I agreed. I liked the script of Fugly. Then I met Ashvini Yardi and soon the screen tests, auditions, narrations and dialogue delivery took place,” he says. 

“There are different challenges involved in each profession — be it as a boxer inside the ring or an actor on the sets. But both are equally fruitful experiences. In boxing, one has to be very tough and aggressive. There is no time to think as one has to get into the ring and straight away hit at the opponent. However, acting teaches you patience. There are days when there are a lot of delays. The actor will be on the set for a long time with nothing to do. In boxing, you have no time to ponder but in acting, your mind is constantly at work. However, fitness is very important in sports and acting,” he said.  He adds that he hates travelling as the schedule becomes very hectic but tries to manage time effectively. “We shot around Delhi, Leh, NCR and Mumbai. I didn’t have the time to rehearse much on my role unlike my co-actors because I was also playing for the world championship,” he notes. 

When asked whether he would choose one profession at the cost of the other, he shakes his head firmly. “I cannot choose acting over boxing. I will continue to give my best to both these professions. After Fugly, I want the viewers to realise that even a boxer can act well.”