Grew up admiring Hrithik Roshan for his fitness: Tiger Shroff

Hrithik Roshan and Exceed Entertainment’s collaborative venture HRX is surely grabbing attention because of the appeal that the star has with the Indian audience. After its inception as an apparel brand in November 2013, HRX has now moved to a vast portfolio which includes footwear, accessories and deodorants.

The brand, which aims at inspiring people to be their best versions and push their extremes, has recently announced its first brand ambassador, and when it comes to representing the ‘Hrithik’ level of fitness, who could have been a better choice than Tiger Shroff to do it?

Business Insider India got in touch with the young actor who is currently busy shooting for his upcoming movie Baaghi: A Rebel For Love with Shraddha Kapoor. Here are the excerpts.

You are one of the fittest actors in the industry. What is your fitness regime?
Ever since the beginning of my passion for physical strength, I have believed in holistic fitness. My focus is not only on building muscles, but on wholesome fitness, interior as well as exterior. Flexibility is very important for me because I like to dance and do a lot of action sequences to keep my body more fluid. So, my regime includes a lot of cardio activity and flexibility work, like dance, martial arts, and gymnastics.

Any specific diet plan that you follow for this?
When I am shooting, I don’t take carbohydrates; it’s only protein and vegetables. This is because I am trying to look as lean as I can, for my upcoming role as a superhero. So, quoting HRX here, it’s about pushing your extreme.

Talking of the brand HRX, Hrithik has been and still is the uncrowned fitness king ever since his Bollywood debut. So, did you grow up idolizing him, wanting to be an actor?
I never thought of acting. While growing up, I was always into sports. In fact, I was a very good football player, but football at that time was not a very popular career option. That being said, I have been blessed to have been getting offers from Bollywood ever since I was a child, so after graduating, when I was offered Heropanti, I thought why not. I took it as an offer to show off my talent to the world.

About Hrithik, did you grow up idolizing him?
I remember watching Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai when I was in school, so allow me to say that it was love at first sight for me. There is one thing about me that I don’t get star struck, I am not impressed or awed easily but when I look at Hrithik sir performing, he binds you in a manner that you can’t look away from him. Someday, I hope of achieving at least 50% of what he has. He is my inspiration when he comes of fitness and discipline.

Your father, Mr. Jackie Shroff, is a very popular hero in Bollywood. What are the four most valuable lessons you’ve learnt from him?
I think the qualities I learned from him are being down to earth, to remember your roots, to think before you speak and to respect anyone, not only the co-actors or director but also the light man and spot boys. One thing that I can easily say is that my father has earned respect in his profession and nobody has ever said anything bad about him, that’s the level of goodwill that he has. I am really blessed to call him my father.

Whom do you consider your mentor, other than your father?
I consider Sajid Nadiadwala (producer, Heropanti) to be my mentor. Along with him, Sabbir Khan and Sanjeev Datta, the director and writer of Heropanti, have played a huge role in my Bollywood journey.

When you are not acting, how do you unwind?
I love to spend time dancing; there is just so much of energy in me that I have to channelize it into dancing and other physical activities.

Tell us your favorite activities that your fans don’t know about.
I eat ice-cream or chocolate when I am not doing any physical activity. However, people don’t see me doing that because I do it when I am alone, because being the ambassador of a fitness brand, this is surely not one of the best things that I can do.

Tell us a peculiar habit that no one knows about and why you do it.
I think that would be biting. In fact, that’s how I got the name Tiger, because I used to bite people as a kid. Why I do it, I don’t know, it’s just a habit. Whenever I am hungry, angry, or thinking, I need to bite something. Thankfully, I don’t bite people now, just things.

Do you like reading books? Which are your favourite ones?
I love reading autobiographies of famous people, who inspire me, whom I want to be like. I like to read about them, and know how they made it big. I like to make connections with them, and autobiographies are the best way to do that. Moonwalk by Michael Jackson would be my favourite book.

Can you tell us about an incident that inspired you the most and how it impacted your life?
That’s a very difficult question because I have so many of such incidents that inspire me. To quote one, I think it would be the moment when I won my first award for Heropanti. It inspired me to work harder and push myself, because I always feel like I have got more than I deserve. Whenever I walk out of my house, the love and acceptance that I get, it all inspires me to work harder and give it back to them in the form of entertainment.

Image courtesy: HRX