After the smooth transition from a wrestler to a model, Sahib Singh now wants to try out acting

Sheetal

It may sound strange but it was his desire to be a horse rider that drove Sahib Singh to take up wrestling as a career, which later led to modelling. “As a kid, my father’s friend used to take me to a stud farm near my village Jahangir, close to Amritsar. Whenever I would express my desire to ride one, he would say, ‘to ride a horse, you must be physically strong’. So, I joined a local akhada and I got addicted to wrestling.”

While Sahib was doing modelling assignments from time to time, it was a back injury which led him to take up modeling as full-time career. He has represented India in IFBB Pro-league for Mr Olympia, walked for designers at leading fashion events like Lakme Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week. Having appeared in many music videos, Sahib feels it is time to try out movies.

Sahib, who was a celebrity guest at Chandigarh Lifestyle Awards that concluded on Saturday evening, has fond memories of Chandigarh.

• Your first assignment…

I shot for a Ludhiana-based designer brand. I got my portfolio shoot done from Rahul Dutta in Delhi and after that this was the first assignment that came my way.

• The most interesting shoot so far…

We went to shoot in Dubai in 2018 and a woman complained about us. The cast and crew members were taken to a police station. They checked our permission certificates and let us go, but it was a different experience being at a police station in a foreign country.

• What was your big break?

Khanjar by Masha Ali in 2012. People still recognise me because of that song.

• Designer you wish to walk for…

I wish to walk for JJ Valaya, Rocky Star, and Sabyasachi Mukherjee. From Chandigarh, I enjoy working with Nimrat Kahlon.

• A fashion tip?

While dressing up, everything, from head to toe, needs to be taken care of. The hair style or the shoe contributes as much to your personality as your attire.

• If not a model, then…

Wrestler. I probably would have won Mr Olympia title.

• Your style obsession?

Track suits paired with fluorescent shoes.

• What is your daily routine like?

I wake up before the sunrise. After doing Surya Namaskars and paath, I go for jogging or horse riding.

• Your health routine?

I take 10 small meals a day. And ever since I joined the akhada, I swear by sardai (a mixture that pehlwaan eat to stay strong and fit). I remember how my mother used to make that early morning before I went out for practice.

• Wardrobe must-haves?

Shades, a three-piece suit and anti-fit trousers.

• Lockdown attire

Since as a model, our work includes a lot of dressing up, so it was nice to have a break and stay at home all the time in pyjamas.

• A hangout place in the region…

Amritsar is close to home and also where I spent my college years. I miss the shikanji (lemonade) shop inside the campus of Khalsa College and the famous bread and omelette shop right in front of the college. As for shopping, when the multinational brand Forever opened in the city, we used to enjoy going in there.

• Career goals

This birthday, I have decided to do a movie, be it in Pollywood or Tollywood.

• Next place on your travel list?

London. I have a shoot schedule there for multiple projects, which includes songs and a web series titled Second Floor.

• A celeb’s gym look you admire…

John Abraham. I am a fan of Akshay Kumar too because he can pull off any look.

• Healthy snack you munch on…

Fruits or Subway sandwich.

• An exotic place you would like to take your date to?

Dubai or anywhere in Europe.

• A celebrity you wish to date?

Katrina Kaif.

• How do you unwind?

Workout followed by a hot shower and sleep.