Abhijit Sanyal tells Sujata Assomull that he wants the world -- in the form of being the first Indian male to win an international contest Abhijit Sanyal -- he is the Mumbai boy who won the Graviera Mr India contest for this year?
Yes. But this Mumbai boy is presently in Jaipur getting ready to take on the world. He is participating in the Mr International contest that will take place this Saturday.
He must be very nervous?
Yes, but he is also very hopeful. "It is about time that an Indian man won an international competition. And hopefully, I will be the first man to achieve this."
Sounds like he is very confident?
Well, Abhijit has experience on his side. This 22-year-old has been doing ramp shows for a couple of years, even before he won the Graviera Mr India competition. "I had done several high-profile shows including the Ashish Soni and Rohit Bal show before I took part in the contest."
And has winning helped his career?
"Yes. It hasgiven me instant recognition. Though I still feel strange when girls ask for my autograph. But the main thing is that I do not have to scout for shows now."
What about doing ad films?
Though it is more profitable than ramp, Abhijit will start focussing on ad films only after the competition is over.
And what about model acting?
Well that is in his blood. Anoop Kumar Ganguli is his grandfather and Kajol and Rani Mukherjee are his second cousins. Uh-uh! You know what that means!
With a family background like that, entering Bollywood should be a piece of cake?
Not really. He is not that close to Rani or Kajol. "I respect them as stars more than I think of them as cousin sisters. But I would like to get into acting as it is far more lucrative than modelling."
What does he think about actors doing ad work?
"It means that competition is really tough and models get less work. Every one is doing ads -- cricketers, actors and tennis players."
Perhaps that is because there has been no male supermodel since Milind Soman and Arjun Rampal.
"Well, since models are getting less campaigns it is harder and harder for them to establish themselves as household names. But there are lots of new male models who are starting to make a mark."
Did this model always want to be in the world of glamour?
"Actually, I wanted to be an army officer."
Sounds like he is the archetypal adventurous male?
Yes, he is. In fact, one of his favourite pastimes is mountain climbing. Once while climbing the B C Roy Peak in the Himalayas there was a snow storm and Abhijit got stranded for four days. "I lost two of my friends and it was really straining. But at the same time you learn the value of life."
He must be really fit to have survived that climb?
"I never miss my gym sessions." But that does not mean that Abhijit does not have fun too. "I enjoy going out. I prefer private parties to pub hopping though." His currentfavourite night spot is Fire & Ice. "It is really spacious so it's a welcome change."
And what would his idea of a romantic date be?
"It would be in Venice. A candle-light dinner."
And does he get a lot of time to go on dates?
No, not really. He is too busy focussing in his career right now. "Now is the time for work."
And if the modelling does not work, what will he do?
"I will stay in the entertainment industry. There are loads of avenues to explore."
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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