‘I love masala entertainers’

...says boxing champ Vijender Singh who is looking at doing one himself

Boxing champ Vijender Singh did not have a successful stint at the recently concluded 2012 Olympics, but he has taken it in his stride. “It is a part of the game, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” says Vijender. The boxer, who bagged a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics, is happy that India won six medals as against the three they had got home in the last Olympics. He is especially proud of his fellow boxer Mary Kom, who brought home a bronze medal. “She is extremely talented. I hope this inspires other women boxers to give it their best. Nothing is impossible if you have the perseverance to work hard towards achieving your goal. Mary has done exactly that and made India proud,” he says in appreciation. Right now, Vijender is taking a break from the boxing ring and is busy with endorsements and magazine shoots. The dashing boxer has been besieged with film offers since the time he won the medal, but so far hasn’t signed the dotted line. “I have a lot of offers, but I am looking for a nice script, a good star cast and a banner,” says Vijender whose good looks brought him modelling offers, even when he was training to be a boxer. And after his win, the stakes increased and he’s much sought-after for brand endorsements. As for films, the boxer is looking for masala entertainers, comedy or something sporty. He reasons, “Indians like to leave their brains at home and have fun while watching a film.” Vijender recently saw Rowdy Rathore and loved it. His favourite actors are Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar and among the heroines it is Kareena Kapoor. So, who would he like to make his debut with? “I have no preference, it depends on the script,” he says diplomatically. Not just Bollywood film, the boxer is also keen on doing a Punjabi film. Vijender is also considering TV shows, having done one episode of Roadies in the past. “I cannot sing or dance, but I would look at an action adventure show,” says Vijender. What about Bigg Boss? “I talk less, and fight more. My kind of fights are not allowed in that house,” laughs Vijender. Married for over a year to Archana, Vijender says he still feels like a bachelor. “I am travelling or busy training for boxing all the time,” smiles the boxer, adding that his wife is quite understanding about his career. “A software engineer (he doesn’t remember which company she works for!), she knows that I am not doing velapankti,” he smiles.