C OVER STORY
dinner with Deepika, fall
in love with Alia & marry
Athiya : Sooraj Pancholi
H
is eyes may sparkle like vintage Bordeaux but
he’s sticking to water. Talk about being health
conscious. But that’s Sooraj Pancholi for you. It’s
hard not to fall for all that charm, not to mention his chiselled bod and bad-boy looks. He sure knows how to
make a girl comfortable. We’re meeting at this tony joint
in Juhu as he digs into roasted chicken and exclaims,
‘I‘m so hungry!’ It’s refreshing to see a star so fit eat with
abandon. He piles my plate with food and makes small
talk as we eat – by which time I’ve already convinced
him to switch to red wine. His joi de vivre is infectious.
It resonates through the eatery. He has gone through
a trial by fire but you don’t get to see the scars. He’s
forthright and witty in his replies and soon we’re wining,
dining and giggling away like old friends, musing about
life, love and all things in between…
What is your best childhood memory?
My father (Aditya Pancholi) taking me out for bike rides
at Bandstand.
If a genie were to grant you three wishes, what would
they be?
A film with Kabir Khan, a Ferrari and a big house for my
parents in Bandra.
Five things that you can’t live without…
My cap, my watch, my trainers, my dogs and eggs and
milk in the morning.
Which Hindi film actress did you have a crush on as a
kid?
Rani Mukerji, especially after watching her in Ghulam.
Though I’ve never put up any posters of stars in my
room.
Who's your 4am friend?
Karan Joshi.
Are you a romantic in real life?
I’m romantic. It depends if I'm with the right person, on
the ambience… Moreover, there should be a connection.
Would you ever sing to woo a girl?
I’ve already sung GF BF (his music video with Jacqueline Fernandez) for someone. She didn’t get impressed.
If not acting, what would be your alternate profession?
I always wanted to be associated with films. If not acting,
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