The Hindu : New Delhi News : The new action hero of Bollywood has arrived

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 10, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

The new action hero of Bollywood has arrived

Once considered a chocolate boy, Zayed Khan, who is playing the lead role in `Rocky: The Rebel', is concentrating on his physique so as to keep intact his newfound action-hero image, says Madhur Tankha...

When he made his debut in Hindi films he was labelled by some as a chocolate hero. But Zayed Khan has worked hard on both his dialogue delivery and his physique and the results are now there for all to see. The audience lapped up his action-hero image in the multi-starrer Bollywood film "Dus".

Zayed -- who has starred in the blockbuster "Main Hoon Na" and also not so successful films like "Vaada" and "Shabd" -- is a much sought after star among the film-crazy public of the Capital these days. When he dropped by at Barbarian Power Gym at Sunder Nagar Market here on Friday, the local residents mobbed him.

Draped in black, Zayed apologised to journalists present at the inauguration of the gym for not arriving on time. "Do not blame the delay on me or her, but on the flight that brought us here all the way from Mumbai," quipped the actor who was accompanied by Esha Deol.

After Hollywood's superstar Sylvester Stallone and Bollywood's star Sanjay Dutt, Zayed will get a once-in-a-life opportunity to play Rocky. But unlike the original one, this one will not see him doing fisticuffs with gloves.

Revealing that he was pinning a lot of hopes on his upcoming film "Rocky: The Rebel", Zayed said: "Well, it is a natural love story. However, it also has a lot of action scenes. This film means a lot to me professionally as this will be my second solo film. My debut film `Chura Liya Hai Tumne' opposite Esha Deol was also a solo. So after a number of years in Bollywood, I have finally got a chance to act in a solo film. For `Rocky: The Rebel' I have given my best shot. The film shows the trials and tribulations of the protagonist played by me."

Directed by Suresh Krishna, "Rocky: The Rebel" stars Isha Sharvani, who plays a college girl, and Minisha Lamba, while the much in demand Himesh Reshammiya has sung the songs.

Stating that he makes it a point to put in at least two hours at the gym, Zayed reveals that working out in the gym is not a "hobby" for him. "To keep my action-hero type image it is necessary to have a good physique. Moreover, slogging it out in the gym not only helps me look good on the big screen, but also makes me strong enough to take any injury in my stride."

Revealing that Satya of Barbarian Power Gym was not just his trainer but also a good friend, Zayed said: "I believe in him completely. There was a point in time when I used to be lazy. So I went to Satya and told him that I wanted to have a well-toned boy. He told me that he had no magic wand with him to change my body overnight. Whatever he has taught me about workouts has been a good and positive experience. Like dancing is an asset for any actor, similarly a body with bulging muscles is also an asset. Moreover, Satya has given me a lot of information about how to keep fit and healthy."

The recent heavy downpour in Mumbai has put a spanner in the actor's works. "The heavy rain has led to the cancellation of my shooting schedule. I know for a fact that this is not a pretty side. But Mumbaikars are able to handle such situations as they are very spirited and resilient."

Zayed enjoys spending time in Lutyens' Delhi with its sprawling greenery, shopping arcades and the good old Connaught Place. "I like coming to New Delhi during winters when the weather is really out of the world". But Dehra Dun is one of his favourite cities as he studied there.

As for his favourite football team, Zayed points to his shoes. "As you can see from the colour, I support Brazil. But as Brazil has not been able to go to the finals, I am supporting France."

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