2024-03-17 00:14:33
India’s famous wrestler Sangram Singh is once again in the news. His movie ‘Udaan Zindagi Ki’ is going to be released. Before this, he had also done ‘Bigg Boss’ and earned name. Now he gave an interview, in which he spoke openly about his life’s journey.
highlights
- Wrestler Sangram Singh has defeated Mohammad Saeed of Pakistan in the International Pro Wrestling Championship.
- Sangram Singh has talked about the difficulties faced in life in the interview, told how he came out of them.
- Sangram Singh also gave his reaction on the question of not having a grand entry in Bollywood.
Those who are thriving in the storms are the ones who are changing the world… This couplet by Jigar Moradabadi fits perfectly on the well-known wrestler, actor and motivational speaker Sangram Singh. Who would have thought that this person who was once unable to speak or walk would one day bring glory to the country on the world stage. Recently, Sangram created a stir by defeating Pakistani wrestler Mohammad Saeed in International Pro Wrestling. Sangram came to the office of NBT after going through a tough struggle not only in his life but also in his career. He spoke openly. His film ‘Udaan Zindagi Ki’ will also be released soon.
Although you have made the country proud many times in wrestling, but recently you made the country proud by defeating Pakistan’s Mohammad Saeed in the International Pro Wrestling Championship, how did you feel?
-For the past two years I have seen that wrestling is very famous, but for different reasons. A lot is going on between the federation and the wrestler. Now many parents and guardians told me that there is a lot of problem in wrestling. Whatever was going on in wrestling, I was feeling very hurt that wrestling was going backward. I am not saying that Brij Bhushan ji is wrong in this or those children? I don’t know, because I am far away from matches. But when I got an opportunity in the International Pro Wrestling Championship, I felt I should do something. However, in the Olympics there are two rounds of 3 minutes each. There were 6 rounds and there were also the world’s top ten wrestlers. The guy I fought with when I was 40, Mohammad Saeed, is 16 years younger than me. He is currently playing for his country and I was away from being an amateur. But today, on my return after this victory, I am getting thousands of messages. Big athletes are saying that they too have found a new way to make a comeback. I fought this wrestling not for victory or defeat but for those who have dreams of sports in their eyes.
The struggle story of your life is a source of inspiration for many, but how did you survive all the challenges?
-I was a child who could not walk, could not speak. I was suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, when it becomes very severe, saliva would flow from the mouth, none of the joints would work, and could not wash my face. The doctor said that 99.99 percent cannot be cured. I stayed on the cot for 8 years. There was no money for a wheelchair, but my mother and I did not give up. I also recovered due to my mother’s efforts. But I come from a family where there were neither shoes nor bus fare. In a joint family, my mother used to keep one roti out of her share for me. When we came into sports, the aim was to improve our body and get a job somewhere. The name of my village is Madina. When I started wrestling, milk would come from someone’s house in my village, ghee would come from somewhere else. And when I had wrestling, I would sometimes go on a bullock cart and sometimes on a tractor. Many times, due to lack of money, I have walked many kilometers. When I was going to Budapest in 2005 for the Senior World Wrestling Championship, we used to roam around from morning till evening for visa fees. I didn’t have any money. I have learned from the difficulties of life that happiness is most important and instead of success, we should enjoy the process of that journey.
Have you not made your grand entry in Bollywood yet?
-I left those films with many superstars in which I was offered negative roles. I also got a chance in Dangal, but I had to lose in wrestling. I politely told Aamir Khan Sahab that I am a wrestler, if I lose in this, my livelihood will stop. Another big superstar sat in front and offered me a role and said, it is a 15-minute role, your fight is mine. You have the role of a terrorist, you have to kidnap children. But I refused. I was going to do a film with Shyam Benegal, the biopic of KD Jadhav sir. He won India’s first medal in wrestling in the Olympics. The film was announced. For three years I used to go to Shyam Benegal Saheb’s house from Versova-Mumbai. I had signed a contract that said I couldn’t do anything else. I lost weight for the film, started learning Marathi. But the film was not made. Even at that time I thought that there would be some good in this too. Then I got a chance to do a music album with Mahesh Bhatt sahab. There was also a contract that I could not work anywhere else for a year. After that I got an opportunity with Prakash Jha Sahab. There was going to be a show on social issues. That also didn’t happen. Then he got a chance to supervise me wrestling in the ashram. I did small films for money, but then I realized that it is important to do notable work. Yes, TV gave me many opportunities.
Tell us about your upcoming film Udaan Zindagi?
-There was a boy from FTII. He sent me a script. He has directed the film. That film was shot in my hometown. It is quite an aspiring movie. The name of the film is Udaan Zindagi Ki. This is about wrestling only. In this I had to look 22 years old. There are local actors in the film. The film will be released on OTT. This is an emotional story of father and son. In this film I have become an aspiring wrestler.
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If a film is made on your biography, which actor would you consider?
-There are all the talented actors in Bollywood, but from the acting point of view, idol Ranbir Kapoor will adapt himself to this role. Along with acting, he will also improve his physique. Another best option is Vicky Kaushal. If he builds his body, that will also be fine. By the way, I also find Hrithik Roshan a very good actor. I had an interaction with him during a show.‘How can a hero with such a face…’, Yash Johar had commented on Ajay Devgan’s debut, Naseeruddin had said ‘mistake’
Your actress wife Payal Rohatgi is very bold and outspoken, do you have to suffer the consequences of her outspokenness?
-Had to suffer absolutely. Have suffered losses many times. Initially I explained to her, but she did not understand. Then when the FIR was registered against them, I explained to them whose money was taken, whose time and energy was taken? It would have been better if we had installed them somewhere else. But there are only a few people in the world who are as they appear and Payal ji is one of them. When I met her in a show, everyone used to say, this girl is not right for you. But we have been together for 13 years.
How does she compliment you?
-Payal ji taught me everything from wearing clothes to colors, her mind runs very fast. She has been a Gujarat topper. His father was an IIT Kanpur topper. His mother is a teacher, father is an engineer. His grandfather was the editor of Times of India. His family is quite educated. They often say that if they had read a little about Sangram, the work would have been better. Now, wherever those people have studied, I go as the chief guest to give a speech and I say that if they had studied a little less, the work would have been better.
About Rekha Khan
Rekha KhanRekha Khan is the Features and Entertainment Editor at Navbharat Times, Times Group. He has worked for over two decades in renowned publications, magazines and radio. For her contribution in the field of journalism, she has been honored with many awards like Stree Shakti Puraskar, Power of Pain, Most Inspiring Woman in Journalism, Most Powerful Woman in Media. Apart from journalism, Rekha also loves writing and reading. He has written a Gujarati novel titled ‘Koi Sapna Na Kharido’. She is a very good speaker and anchor. Along with anchoring TV shows, she has also shown her talent in acting. Read More
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