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CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

Purab : Uncut

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We first loved him as Mazhar in the hit teenage show Hip Hip Hurray and now we adore him as KD, the funky, long bearded bushy haired drummer. The totally cool Purab Kohli is not only an immensely popular VJ but a thorough gentleman as well. Prachi Shailendra got a chance to chat with him in his Bandra residence, where he lives with his wife and two adorable dogs.

1. Tell us something about how Purab Kohli grew up.
I'm a Bandra boy and have spent most of my life in Mumbai. Although I've spent two years in a boarding school in Pune and a year in Lonavla, I completed my education in National College, Bandra; you see Bandra people hardly leave the area… haha.

2. How would you describe your journey to Rock On!!?
Well, after my 12th I didn't know what to do with my life. I was contemplating with the idea of becoming a pilot, but I was confused. And I wanted to make money, so I started looking for summer jobs, when Hip Hip Hurray happened, followed by Chota Muh Badi Baat and Sangharsh. And then I got into VJing and modeling followed by Bas Yun Hi and other movies.

3. What do you enjoy more, acting or anchoring?
Acting! In fact, when you are anchoring a show you are pretty much playing yourself, and I've anchored shows for almost eight years. So now I'm at a stage where I enjoy acting much more as the reach is much larger and you get to play different parts all the time. So as an actor, I get to explore different emotions that liberate a lot within me, and I enjoy that a lot!

4. You've played different types of characters - a homosexual, a negative role and a rocking drummer. How do you prepare for your roles and which has been the most enjoyable character for you?
While reading the script, I always try to imagine the character within me and start developing a different body language. Also I, being the constant factor among all my roles, always try to differentiate the character of my current role from the previous one. For me, my negative character Munna from Awarapan has been the most enjoyable and challenging one! I mean, it was so aggressive, over-the-top, loud and obnoxious that dubbing for it was such a big exercise and acting it out was really fun. But I do feel that I could've explored this character much more.

5. Which genres of movies do you like the most?
I've grown up watching commercial Hindi cinema, so mostly I like to see masala Bollywood films that have romance, dance, songs, action and comedy, like Sholay, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, the Munnabhai series to name a few. I also like movies like Parinda, which are little off-beat. But these movies are such that you need to be in the proper mood to watch them, whereas a movie like Munnabhai can be watched anytime!

6. You keep experimenting with your looks. So what inspires those looks?
Laziness! Whenever I'm not shooting I just let my beard and hair grow and then do something with it. This way, I consciously try to entertain myself, and sometimes come up with different ideas for my roles!

7. Do you think your life has changed post Rock On!!?
Oh yes! In fact, people really praised me for my performances in Awarapan and My Brother Nikhil, but the commercial value and the wide reach has been given to me by Rock On!!. But it has also set in a bit of fear in me as now the audiences expect much more from me. But then again, this has made me more responsible as an actor and now I'm looking for more enjoyable and challenging roles.

8. What are your future projects?
I have two films in the pipeline right now; one is Rectangular Love Story and another one is Rangeen. Both are working titles right now that might just change later.

9. In this age of Bollywood going international and Hollywood financing coming our way, do we see Purab Kohli alongside, say Sylvester Stallone or likewise?
Well, I'm not doing any Hollywood movie as of now. But everyone hopes to capture a larger audience, so if I get a good role, then I just might take it up!

10. Any regrets in life?
No. Lessons learnt, yes, but no regrets.

11. Your fitness regime?
I like staying fit, so I like to exercise for 45 minutes to an hour, be it in the gym, or running in the park, or swimming, or yoga, or martial arts. I always try out new stuff to entertain myself and get a variety. So I'm into trekking, hiking and diving as well.

12. Any message you would like to give out to your fans?
I'm too young to give messages and advice! Well, I would tell the youth that, at this age, everyone has lots of questions about who they are and what they want to do in life, so just be honest to yourself and don't let others dictate you. Weigh all your options, reach at a proper conclusion and do what you feel you should be doing!