"My father always wanted me to run. I was this podgy little boy. I was not very athletic as a child. He wanted me to be fast on the field when he would coach me in cricket. Der aaye durust aaye. I want to do it for myself, yes, but if you really ask me, I want to do it for him. I thought to myself, if Farhan Akhtar could get into the body and mind of an athlete in his late 30s, I can give it a go, too."

Despite losing his father, legendary cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi recently, Angad Bedi is keeping the promise he made to himself.

He is all set to make his international debut as a sprinter in a 400-meter race at an athletics championship in Dubai, on October 29. The love for sprinting isn’t sudden, he states, and this is the best way he could honour the legacy of his father and his dedication to sports.

In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, he stated, “My father always said keep your head down and let your actions speak. I have been deeply inspired by his wisdom. I’m competing in this race because that’s what my father would have wanted. It’s my way of honouring him and his legacy. Sportsmanship is in my blood. And I want to do exactly what my father would have expected of me. I want to participate in this race to honour him and the values that he has instilled in me during his wonderful life. He will always be there with me as my guiding light.”

Taking up sports professionally in your late 30s or 40s isn’t a cakewalk. The actor admits, “Living the life of an athlete is living the life of a monk. The transformation is not easy when you have been an actor all your life. Everything matters. Your sleep, diet, recovery, rehab and rest. It’s an extremely demanding sport, but I love the need for speed. It makes you think faster and keeps you on your feet and agile. Also makes you look better on camera! (smiles).”

Angad shared a personal story. He acknowledged, “Farhan Akhtar inspired me. I remember seeing him train relentlessly to essay the role of Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. I saw his videos online to see how he trained and what he ate. To see an actor turn into an athlete… I couldn’t get that image out of my head. I thought to myself, if Farhan could get into the body and mind of an athlete in his late 30s, I can give it a go, too. After training me for over a year, my coach told me that I could take part in a 400-metre race, which I did last April. I timed 66 seconds. I am in better shape right now and much faster than my previous best. Today, I will get to know how I fare.”