Filmmaker Onir recently returned triumphant from the Kashmir Great Lakes trek (KGL trek), which is 73km long and reaches an elevation of 13,000 feet. The moderately tough trek takes seven to nine days to be completed. However, the 54-year-old managed to complete it within four days! 

He admits it was not an easy task and he spent a lot of time preparing for it. “Twice a week, I would jog for 10-12km. I also did cycling and swimming to build up stamina,” the filmmaker tells us. 

Opening up about the challenges he faced on the “difficult adventure”, Onir says, “My shoes were not equipped to deal with snow, boulders and all the obstacles we faced. There were times when I thought about what my sister told me, ‘If you feel it’s dangerous, just turn back’. But I wanted to overcome all my fears, including those of heights.” 

The I Am (2011) director believes he could complete the trek because he didn’t take long breaks. “I think swimming, cycling and jogging frequently helped me as my muscles were used to a certain amount of wear and tear. Also, my biggest strengths were my ghodewala Parvez, and my guide, who kept encouraging and boosting my confidence,” he ends.