This is our first proper cover-shoot since the pandemic and we were more than sure it has to be with this man, the one and only Sonu Sood who is a classic example of Good Karma, and proof that great things
happen to great people. Here’s an excerpt of our conversation:
I feel we have to take those risks. You can’t just be in your safe zone and sit at home and crib about what’s happening on the field
but you need to come out of your comfort
zones…
Ramesh: We have to start from your migrant-sending initiative of sending them back to their home? What triggered this thought…
Sonu: I felt these are the people who actually built our homes, these are the people who actually built our roads and today when they wanted to go back to their own homes and there was no one to actually help them so I just thought to put these efforts to get up, to get them back to their families. I just went on the field and it just happened and I could see the wishes of these migrants and their families. They finally got back and really went to their families so I think that’s something which is not planned, that’s something I’m not
trained to do but I was blessed to make this happen.
Ramesh: Did u ever get that thought in your mind, “It’s done
now”?
Sonu: It’s not done yet, as we’re shooting now I’m still getting calls. I think the field has changed first it was just a movement that started from Maharashtra to the other states then it started from Jammu Kashmir to Kanyakumari now there’s an international evacuation happening, we just did evacuation of almost 4000 students from Kyrgyzstan. Now it’s Uzbekistan,
Moscow, Philippines and other countries also, so I kind of feel like the responsibilities that are on my shoulders keep on increasing everyday and I’m glad that I’m able to keep up to those expectations.
Ramesh: What’s your brush with technology ?
Sonu: Of course without technology it’s not possible to do anything. You get 60 to 70 thousand calls every single day from all these people who are stuck in different parts of the world. So, you need these systems. Like I remember I started this toll free number to make it easier for all these people who need help and I think that’s how we could execute everything. When you have 7-8 lakh people with whom you are committed to bring them back to their homes so I think you have to program yourself, you need to have a team who
can put things together.
Ramesh: Any challenges you face while working from home and any tricks?
Sonu: I was actually on the field mostly for 15-16 hours everyday on the bus stop daily, so the work from home used to start at midnight from 12 to 4. That’s when you get connected through social media to all these migrants who are stuck so I would say the last 100 to 120 days have been very fruitful and very busy but I’m glad that we were able to execute many successful missions.
Ramesh: What came to your mind while you were doing this? Did you ever think to stop and step back and not take the risk?
Sonu: I feel we have to take those risks. You can’t just be in your safe zone and sit at home and crib about what’s happening on the field but you need to come out of your comfort zones and be on the field to help these people go back to their
home and I’m glad that I was able to take this mission successfully.
I think it’s a new beginning, I would say it’s a new life, everything is not just about followers. It’s about the people who love you, the way people expect things from you, the way people rely on you to give you responsibilities.
Ramesh: Do you invest in startups ? We know you have a bank of properties but what about business and startups that you are invested in
Sonu: You know I’m in talks with many startups and I feel wisely startups are having a bright future and of course you know out of 10 startups that come up everyday only one or two actually get to be in their successful zone. So, I would say to all those people who are investing in all those startups or trying to do new things, it has to have a right backup and someone who is able to upgrade every single day. I feel we have young minds who are working towards a new world. I just want to wish them all the best and just keep shining always.
Ramesh: What motivates you to workout from home during lockdown, any
fitness apps that you use?
Sonu: I think fitness has always been a part of my life it;s not something that I do for a film. I always believe that there are only 22 hours in a day for me to work on my fitness. And no, I don’t use any apps, I do it on my own.
Ramesh: Are you an avid reader? What kind of books do you read?
Sonu: I used to read books but now lately we are all into gadgets. I think the
concentration has gone so low that we just want to switch from one to the other.
Ramesh: Are you a social media addict?
Sonu: I’m not a social media addict but I only use social media to connect with people. Whether you talk about Twitter or Instagram, I just want to stay connected with people, that’s my way of choosing social media.
Ramesh: Your Instagram now has 5.2 million followers but before your act of good karma where did you stand?
Sonu: I think it’s a new beginning, I would say it’s a new life, everything is not just
about followers. It’s about the people who love you, the way people expect
things from you, the way people rely on you to give you responsibilities. I get
calls from parents, I get calls from all age groups that you’ve saved the lives of
our kids, you’ve got them from Moscow, you’ve got them from Uzbekistan and all these countries where these people were stranded in really bad shape so I think I’m going to stay with their families forever. All these followers and likes are all temporary but the real followers and real likes are something that you want in real life. I feel those are the real ones.
Ramesh: How to not get bored of your workout routine?
Sonu: When you think it’s a part of your life. When you get up in the morning you brush up your teeth and go to work, I think fitness is also something like that which comes to you automatically. I always believe that there are only 22 hours in a day and the rest two hours are only for fitness.
Ramesh: Do you have a role model when it comes to health & fitness?
Sonu: I started working out seeing Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. I
think they were our superheroes, they inspired me to stay fit and now I would say I inspire myself everyday.
Ramesh: What is that one mistake that people often do when it comes to
fitness?
Sonu: They try to bypass things, they try to reach their goals faster and those are temporary goals. They do it for one project or maybe a movie, even the actors. I think it has a major toll on your body. It’s very important to make fitness a part of your project, not do fitness for a project.
Ramesh: One unique gadget that you purchased recently?
Sonu: I bought wireless airpods from Apple.
Ramesh: You are a real life hero and set examples to many who blame the
system and the world , the most genuine compliments that you received?
Sonu: I think the people naming their kids after me is very very special, keeping their shops after my name is very special. I think all this love will stay with them forever and that’s something which you can’t put in words.
Ramesh: Will politics be your playrole someday?
Sonu: Not really, I’ve been out from politics from the past 10-12 years but I think as an actor there are still miles to go I need to do a lot of things but till I achieve my goals as an actor I don’t really have any views on politics and what I can do as an actor still a lot of politicians couldn’t do it so I’m very happy in my space.
I always believe that there are only 22 hours
in a day and the rest two hours are only for
fitness.
Quickes
1. If you had to invent any tech what would you otp for?
I would like to invent something that can boost you, that can charge you. If you don’t feel like working out or you don’t feel like doing something, that gadget or app will charge you to give your 100%. I think that’s something I would love to invent.
2. One thing you can miss your workout for?
I only missed my workout when I was helping the migrants and that was 7 to 8 days when I didn’t do any workout and that was the first time I ever did in my life. I didn’t have any time when I was on the roads and have been missing my workouts but seeing those people smile getting back to the family was kind of a booster for me.
Describe yourself in a hashtag
#Alive
3.Your workout playlist includes?
I love all kinds of music, it keeps on changing.
Message for our readers
I just wanted to say only a few words :
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