Admitted actor. Committed trekker. Addicted lover of new places, urban legends, wild dancing, random trivia, undiscovered benches and very dark chocolate. That's how actor Nimrat Kaur describes herself on Twitter. “I believe in living it up,“ says the actor, who charmed us in The Lunchbox and went on to star in the hit American TV series Homeland. Currently finishing her shoot for Wayward Pines, M Night Shyamalan's new TV series that's gaining popularity every day, the actor describes herself as spontaneous. “I went to the Cheakamus Lake in British Columbia recently and did some thing I'd never have dreamt of ­ an im promptu dip in ice-cold water in the mid dle of nowhere! Now I know what blood rush to the head feels like.“ Here she talks to us about her life:

What's Nimrat like?
I'm a very non-controversial person. I don't make sweeping statements for the heck of it. I'm not a sensationalist. I don't know how to be one. I live a simple life and I have some clear rules. I have an innate hunger for adventure and risk, though deep down, I'm your regular girl, with an extraordinary life. I'm grateful for everything I've achieved in my life.

What does it take for an Indian-origin actor to break into Hollywood?
We are living in a global world. The cultural boundaries are getting blurred. The casting choices in the West are colour-blind and ambiguous. It doesn't matter which part of the world you are from.

How do maintain a work-life balance?
In the last five months, I've worked hard for Wayward Pines and I've discovered ways to rejuvenate myself. I've made some friends for life, traveled to distant places, gone swimming in ice-cold water. These are ways I rejuvenated myself and found my peace and sanity. I miss my two cats and my home in Mumbai. I was there last for my sister's wedding in February. I've discovered exciting ways to keep myself occupied. I've gone hiking to new places. There's so much adventure in British Columbia.

How do you handle negativity, trolls?
I go through phases. There are times I like to delve into periods of silence. That's when I'm on an inward path. Social media is not an extension of me. There are times when I want to make a point. There are times, when I choose not to say anything. As an actor, I have a social responsibility on issues I feel passionately about. I do it my own way to make a point.

How do you keep yourself fit and healthy ­ mentally and physically?
To survive in this tough world, you need both mental and physical fitness. To keep my body healthy, I run, dance and hike. To keep my mind healthy, I do yoga and meditation. I surround myself with people I love. You have to do things that make you happy. I'm also content and at peace wherever I might be. Meditation keeps me in balance. I seek out adventure, it's in my genes. I'm fearless. I had the bravest and most incredible dad in the world. Spiritually, I do twin-heart meditation that's part of pranic healing on a daily basis. You learn to focus on the good in your life. For me, adventure, hiking and cooking is also meditation. I'm an awesome cook, I think I make some great Italian and north Indian dishes. My signature dishes are rajma and kheer.

Did the army background make you strong?
Being from an army background makes you ready for life and the real world. You get used to new people and places. There's no comfort zone ­ that I feel is the most important lesson and skill to have in today's world. It shapes you and you are not shy of change. It's a constant reminder that your home, people around you, and your life will keep changing. Nothing will remain the same. It taught me not to be afraid of change. To keep my chin up in trying times. It's like when you have to go to war. You just have to go to war. There's no other way. My father never came back home. I dealt with life head on. These are the life skills every girl in India needs to be brought up with.

Your relationship mantra...
I think love and relationships need tolerance. It's easy to fall in love and have great sexual chemistry with someone. It's exciting to discover each other. Then what? How does one make it last? Our parents and grandparents lasted for 50, 60 years together. Why can't we have that kind of a relationship? Love needs patience. One requires to be a forgiving person. It's easy to give up on people. We are in the habit of giving up on anything that needs hard work. We need to hold on to love and make it work for a lifetime.