Why is it always bronze with me?

Tell us about your years of struggle. Your father,a bus driver,worked overtime and your mother never bought new saris,to fund your game.
Frankly,Ive never experienced the struggle myself. Its my parents who struggled so that I didnt have to. The only kind of struggle or problems I faced have had to do with the ups and downs inside the boxing ring.

Is it true that you were working on the side and modelling in the initial years?
Yes,in 2004 and 2005,I had a railway job. I was the head TT in Jaipur. Today,I am a DSP deputy superintendent of police with the Haryana police. I was also modelling for clothes,watches and publications. I enjoyed modelling. It was different and I used to do it over the weekends,when I wasnt boxing.

Do you know you are good-looking?
No,I dont laughs. I know that meri photo achchi aati hai.

Last month,you won a bronze at the World Boxing Championship in Milan but you dont seem to be too happy about it.
That was my third bronze in a row. I dont want a fourth bronze now. I could have beaten that guy Uzbek Abbos Atoev but my luck didnt favour me that day.

But arent you proud of winning Indias first-ever medal at that tournament?
No. Why does it always have to be bronze,bronze and bronze with me?

Your next big tournament is the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. In the last Commonwealth Games Melbourne,2006,you won a silver. Whats your target this time?
Gold,of course.

How are you going to prepare for that?
Our camp at Patiala has started. Then,we have the national championship beginning October 23 or 24 in Hyderabad. We still have a year to go for the Games,so we arent at the peak of our training right now. Well start hard training in January or February.

Whats hard training?
It means Ill put in more hours,will be more focused on the game and totally avoid ghoomna-phirna.

By ghoomna-phirna,do you mean partying,which youve been doing a lot lately?
I hate parties but I do party a lot. Ive got to,for networking sake. I havent met most people,so when I get invited,I go. Otherwise,I love being in my room,resting and thinking about my work.

Youve been seen with a lot of film people,from Mallika Sherawat,Priyanka Chopra and Bipasha Basu on TV shows to Abhishek Bachchan at a party.
You missed SRKs name. Ive made a couple of film friends too,such as Akshay Kumar. I meet a lot of politicians and sportspersons too. Its just that when I am with film people,it gets more attention.

Is it true you have a soft corner for Bipasha Basu?
Not just her,many. But I wont name them.

Tell us about your debut film,One,and your role in it. Reportedly,you are playing a boxer.
I dont want to talk too much about the future. Ive not signed the film. I am still reading its script as much as I am reading the scripts of many other films offered to me. Ill only do action roles since they match my being a boxer. I am not taking any acting or dancing classes. Neither am I working on my accent. I tell the directors upfront that I dont know how to act and I am not going to mould myself to suit roles. Instead,roles should suit my image.

You are doing the reality show,The Contenders,a talent hunt for aspiring boxers. Tell us more about it.
I am playing the boxing mentor in it. Its based on the American show of the same name that used to be aired on AXN. It runs the viewer through what goes on in a boxers mind before entering the ring,his feelings after a defeat or victory. It also shows his family. Its going to be a great,unique reality show meant for the youth. Through it,I hope people will learn about the sport and its players. Its a much needed show,since our government doesnt support boxing enough and only seems to favour cricket.

Do you watch cricket?
No. Its boring.

There is some controversy surrounding The Contenders.…your sports management firm is apparently against you doing it.
Those things keep happening,part of life.

You are making Rs 30 to 50 lakh in endorsements,plus youve got this multi-crore deal for The Contenders. What are you going to do with all this money?
Earlier,I had no car. But today,I drive a Ford Endeavour and a Hyundai Verna. I plan to buy a BMW or an Audi soon. Ive got to do a lot for my parents before I get married. In three to four years,its going to be a complete overhaul of my lifestyle.

That includes?
Do you want the income tax people to raid me? laughs.

You are the latest pin-up boy. Tell us about some proposals that women have sent you.
Yes,practically,every day,my e-mail gets hacked. I get a lot of blank calls. Unknown girls call and propose me. I dont take advantage though. Instead,I counsel them to focus on their careers just as I am focusing on mine.

Has anybody approached you to canvas for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections?
Yes,many. But I am too young for politics,besides I am a government servant.