| | Awesome Aryan DoB: 4 July 1974
Worked As: Chef at Leela Kempinski, Mumbai; flight steward with Sahara Airlines; catering for the Indian Medical Centre & the Rotary Centre, Mumbai
Fave Films: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Love Story, Godfather & Grease
Fave Cologne: Polo Sport-at the mo.
Fave Hangout: Holiday Inn coffee shop, Mumbai
Fave Actor: Shah Rukh /Madhubala | How does it feel, Mr International 2000?
Before I went for the contest, I knew this would represent a milestone. No Indian guy had done well at an international pageant. So I felt it would be a turning point, not just for myself but also the way Indian models would be looked upon. The support that was given to me by the audience, hotel staff, the people... I felt very happy to win, not just for myself but for all the people. I had not let them down. I felt I had done my bit for the Indian spirit. You are already into films...
I have three films lined up-Heartbeat opposite Pooja Batra, directed by Nitesh Roy, a Jhamu Sugandh film-System and Pradeep Chandera's Tanman.com which is a very unique film. Though it tackles moral issues, the whole story is along the lines of Wall Street using the IT industry and the Internet as a backdrop. What sort of childhood did you have?
I would like to think, a happy one -though a very confused one. I have been very fortunate to have parents who have always guided me, three sisters who loved me. Today I realize the value of a good upbringing, as it has helped me become what I am. What about your teenage years?
What they are supposed to be-total confusion! It was a trying time-coming to terms with myself, my career, my feelings for the opposite sex, peer pressure-so many issues to grapple with. But yes, they were also the best years of my life. Tell us about your first date...
Total disaster! I was just 14 when I went out with this terrific girl who was very popular in school. Everybody wanted to go out with her. So finally, when she agreed to go out with me, I was on cloud nine. I went out on my cycle-I wanted to impress her. Then to get entry to her club, I had to fake my identity! Well, she agreed to go out with me again, so I guess it wasn't that bad, but it could have been better. Are you a flirt?
I think so. But I am a harmless flirt, I don't like leading people on. I would never play with people's feelings. I would flirt just to make them feel good and make myself feel good. Were you a good student?
I was very average. But somehow in my last, crucial, year I did quite well-80 percent!-something I had not done for the last ten years of my life. In Mumbai, it is very important to score good marks in class X to get into a good college and I knew that. So I worked real hard then, though in the past I had even failed some subjects. Your most hated subjects?
I was uncomfortable with Marathi, especially the grammar. I was very happy when I could drop it and opt for French in class VII. What music do you like?
It just has to sound good to me. It could be pop or rock. These days I like to listen to a lot of Hindi music, especially of the 60s and R D Burman. What is acting all about?
I think acting is not just about going out there and speaking your lines... it is an internalised process. Acting is an extension of your personality and sharing it with people. It is a process of your trying to shed your inhibitions gradually, layer by layer, and discovering, for yourself and others, what you can offer to the character you are portraying. It may be easy for some people but for me it is a very thought consuming and difficult process. Though my theatre background does help. What about modelling?
I have done some modelling but not too seriously. But after Grasim Mr India I have done some print ads as well as ramp shows. Are you superstitious?
It depends on how much is at stake. Sometimes I am very superstitious and sometimes I have this I-don't-care attitude. I don't like to rely on good luck formulae or charms. But I don't like to take risks, so for the Mr International contest I always used to wear my good luck charm! Actually it leads to paranoia most of the time, so I'd like to get rid of superstitious beliefs. What kind of a son are you?
I think I have made my parents proud of me. I like to believe they have a good son, though sometimes I feel I am self-absorbed and I don't give as much attention to my parents as I should or show them my true feelings. Are you fashion conscious?
I am conscious of what I wear and how I look. But no, I am not into labels or wearing expensive designer stuff. I like to be casual in my day-to-day wardrobe as long as I can carry it off. I like wearing suits and now that I have a great collection, I think I will be seen in my suits more often! Are you a religious person?
Not very, though I believe God is always on my side irrespective of whether I win or lose. I think he is always giving me a little push especially when things are going badly. I believe in God as a force which you can tap with your own spiritual force. I feel God is always with me, for me. Are you conscious of your appearance?
My profession demands that I stay in good shape. I personally don't want to be out of shape. Actually, the contest, plus the realization that I wanted to model and act in films, was a motivating force. Now I have a gym at home which gives me flexibility to work out as my schedule has become very hectic, with lots of travelling. Are you fond of eating?
I love good food and I love to eat but I have to keep my fat intake low. It gets difficult at times-staying in hotels with buffets all the time! Do you believe in one-night stands?
If I'm not committed, why not? Sex can be a beautiful experience between two consenting people as long as they understand the responsibilities and precautions involved. But if I were committed to someone I wouldn't do it, since that would make it wrong. What are your future plans?
I want to pursue a career in films. Be successful in my business. I'm working with a few charities now, so I'm trying to balance my time, get my act together. Do you have a sense of humour?
I'm easily amused, but I can't make people laugh. That is one quality I admire in people who are uninhibited with others and with themselves. How passionate are you?
I would say I am very committed to my work and my relationships. Your advice to upcoming models?
I feel I'm not in a position to give advice. But yeah, people going to pageants must be completely honest with their work and face up to their faults, to rectify them. To what do you attribute your success?
I'd say to the contribution of a lot of people around me and the way circumstances have moulded me. My parents, my friends, the people I interact with. Also, that God gifted me with a certain clarity of thought. In pageants, my approach and how people perceived me that day. The single most important factor at pageants is to believe in yourself-combined with a whole lot of luck. Like getting questions you can answer. I don't believe I could have answered every question. I just got lucky and I think it is about being the best man that day. How important are beauty pageants?
They are important for a person to realize his ambitions and personal goals. Also, people now look up to them as they are definitely defining both inner and outer beauty. Given the disillusionment they face with politicians and sportspersons, people see at beauty contest winners as role models. Like Aishwarya has decided to donate her eyes and Yukta Mookhey her organs... so it's going to be a better world. Describe yourself.
Confused, complicated but somehow still competent.
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