Aryan's close brush -article

A fun cruise in Mumbai's inviting sea on Christmas night almost cost Aryan Vaid his life. Shivering at the memory, Aryan told IANS: "Anupama (Verma) and I along with other friends decided to go out into the sea in little boats. It seemed like a fun idea. And it was. With Anupama and my friends for company, I had never felt better."

The catastrophe happened when Aryan was changing boats.

"We all were supposed to get out of the small boats and into a big one. I had one foot in one boat and the other in the bigger boat, when the big boat moved. Before I knew, I was in the water sinking downwards."

Didn't Aryan know how to swim?

"Of course, I can swim! But have you tried swimming in that deep water at four in the morning with your clothes and boots on and your mobile in your hand? My phone immediately slipped out of my hand and I've lost all my numbers. But at that time it was the least of my worries. All I could think of was how to get out of the water."

After a tense five-minutes wait for Anupama and his friends, Aryan finally swam back to safety.

"My friends didn't know what to do. It was the most horrifying experience of our lives. And it wasn't as if I was drunk or anything. I was absolutely sober, not a drop of alcohol inside me," said Aryan who sees this as his rebirth.

He also thanks "Bigg Boss", Sony TV's game show, for renewing his career.

"'Bigg Boss' has given a renewed recognition. And, hopefully, 2007 will bring lots of changes in my life.

"On my career front I've Anil Sharma's 'Apne' where I play the main villain opposite Deols (Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby)."

Aryan learnt kickboxing from a trainer from Hong Kong to prepare for the role.

"On the personal front, love is very much in the air. But I need to convince Anupama that she's my true love. Unfortunately, my reputation has reached her long before I did," rued Aryan.