Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; June 1, 2014)

Vijender Singh, 29, is emotional, transparent and a moohphat. He loves everything he does, be it boxing, modelling or acting. Germany may have gifted him his wife and Mumbai, his English, but he remains proud of being Haryanvi. Over an hour-long conversation with Bombay Times ahead of his debut film Fugly, he talks about his ziddi nature, his ambitious dreams and why he loves his wife Archana the most in the world. Excerpts.
 How did you get into boxing?I belong to a farmer family from Kaluwas village in Haryana. My father was a bus driver in Haryana Roadways. I had gone from my school in Bhiwani for gymnastics, where they asked me to do some exercises that I was not able to. They were doing shadow boxing outside. I too started doing it with them. My coach Jagdish Singh saw me doing that and suggested that I do boxing and that is how I started learning how to box. Sports is big in Haryana. My first trip outside Haryana was to Kolkata, when I was 14. It was my first national championship, but I lost. I participated again and became a national champion. I was selected to go to Germany in 2001 for an international competition, but did not have a passport. They told me that I would not be able to participate as the passport could not be made within the short span of time, as the regional passport officer was very khadus type. But I requested her and she was kind enough to have done it and I was able to go. I was the first person from my family to go abroad. It was in 2008 when I got recognised for winning a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics and life changed after that. It was after that, that I came to Mumbai for the first time. I had seen the sea for the first time in my life and staying in JW Marriott, I felt like a star. The government of Haryana supported me, promoted me and made me a Deputy Superintendent of Police, gave me cash money, land, everything. I am very rich right now.

Talk about your father?My father always ensured that I was never short of money for whatever I wanted. Mujhe paise ki kami kabhi nahi mehsoos hui. I didn't need luxuries but whatever I wanted, like a bike or a cycle, I got it. I am very stubborn. Mujhe kuch bhi chahiye, toh chahiye. For instance, once when I was a kid I wanted a video game, so I did not eat for three days till my father got it for me. I feel strongly towards my father. He knows me very well. And knows what I feel and what I need. I know that he loves me even though he doesn't say it. I know he has worked so hard. I went for the boxing championship and lost, but he never said, 'You lost.' He would always say, 'Doesn't matter, you will win next time.' He always supported me, be it for boxing or for my decision to get married or for getting into Bollywood. He is always happy with me and likes me for being self-made.

Who do you love the most in the world?My wife Archana. I met her during one of my visits to the German embassy to get a visa. She was working in an IT company and she had also come to apply. This was my sixth trip to Germany. We said a 'hi' to each other and I asked her, 'Where are you going?' It was a stupid question as obviously she had come for her German visa and thus was obviously going to Germany. I later laughed at myself. Looking at me, she did not believe that I was a boxer, but she later saw my picture in the paper and then believed me. We became friends, started seeing each other and post winning at the Olympics, we got married. I like everything about her. She is caring and we love each other. I went to Germany 7-8 times and I won my first gold medal from there. Germany is lucky for me.

To be a boxer, do you need to be aggressive?In Haryana, cricket is not as popular. We have more wrestling and boxing. Being a boxer, your anger or frustration comes out anyways. So, I am otherwise very cool and fun-loving. You keep getting hurt. But it is great fun hitting others. I love watching boxing, but when I go into the ring you just want to hit the person in front of you as you just want to win at any cost. I am otherwise very emotional and easily cry watching Bollywood films. When I told my mother I wanted to be a boxer, she said, 'Okay, but don't get hurt, otherwise no one will get married to you.'

How did you get your Bollywood break in Fugly?One night Akshay Kumar sir called me when I was sleeping in Delhi and said, 'Hi, I am Akshay Kumar.' I didn't believe him and told him, 'Why are you troubling me? Put down the phone.' And I disconnected the phone. He called me again. This time, I recognised his voice and believed him. He wanted me to do a fight with him in Mumbai for Make-A-Wish Foundation and I came to Mumbai for a few days. While I was in Mumbai, he just asked me, 'Can you act?' I said, 'Haan bhai, aap kar sakte ho, toh main bhi kar sakta hoon.' I told him how a sportsperson can do anything. I auditioned for Fugly and got the role. I got to dance with two of my icons, Salman bhai and Akshay sir, and also got to perform to a song Good In Bed. There is a myth that sportspeople cannot act, but I hope people see the movie and say Vijender Singh is a superstar. When Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali can act, so why not me? Akshay sir is my mentor and like my elder brother. Salman bhai took training of boxing in Cuba and during the break of the title song Fugly, he taught me boxing. Salman bhai saw the trailer and told me, 'Achcha kiya tune.' Salman bhai does not talk phaltu to anyone and when he talks, he talks from his heart. I am also like him. He is fine if you like him and he is also fine if you don't. I too am like that. I am hardworking. Kehte hain ki sapne dil se chaho toh ho jatey hain. I used to see a lot of dreams as a child. I used to keep thinking of meeting Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan and today, I have not only met them but also danced with them. I used to always be stylish. In 2003, when I was training in boxing, I would tell my coach, 'You wait and watch. One day, I will work in films.' Recently, I went back to meet my coach and said 'Dekha coach, sache dil se dekha toh woh hota zaroor hai.' I am reaching there slowly. I am very ambitious and don't get satisfied easily. This is life. Don't be satisfied. If you are satisfied, you are out, you are like a dead person.

What really happened during the drug controversy?
I trust people very easily. I had no idea where my friends took my car. It was my car and what was shown was that drugs were found in my car. I was at home in Delhi and my car was at Chandigarh with my friends. This is life and I have learnt a lot from that and will not repeat that mistake. I have decided to not give another person the keys to my house or my car as if anything goes wrong, obviously I will be blamed for it.

How different are films from boxing?Both need a lot of hard work and sincerity. While boxing is about being aggressive, acting is about patience.
Which was your lowest period in life?In 2012 at the London Olympics, I had beaten my opponent from Uzbekistan many times and I was 100% sure I would beat him, but I lost. My fight was at night and I was feeling sleepy, so I thought of catching up for a while on my sleep to be fresh for the match. But when I got up, my energy was gone. I lost that day and I realised that, that was not my day. I felt terrible and that is the worst that I have ever felt. I knew I could have beaten him but couldn't. But rab jo karta hain, changa karta hain. At such times, I just talk to myself and explain to myself and remain positive. I am now training to go to Poland for the Commonwealth Games and I know that rab yahan tak laya hai, toh aage bhi le jayega.
 

Tushar Joshi (DNA; May 29, 2014)

Vijender Singh’s debut film Fugly which ran into trouble with the LGBT community, with the title track for trivialising section 377, has now stirred up trouble with their next track titled Good in Bed. The boxer-turned-actor’s wife Archana is fuming over the lyrical content of the track.

An insider reveals, “Initially, Vijender was a bit hesitant about doing the song with explicit lyrics. But when he heard the track, he fell in love with the beat. But his wife Archana was upset when she heard the lyrics. He told her about the song before it came out so she was aware of it. She found it too racy and felt that Vijender should not be a part of it. She was particularly against the verse that goes, “Fantasy teri bhi mujhe hi bulaegi, ecstasy mein baby bada manayegi, scream karegi mera naam aur gayegi, haay mai mar gayi maa”.

When asked about his wife being miffed, the boxer admits, “When I told her about the song, she was really upset. She clarified with me twice asking is it bad or bed. But I love the song and have started making my entry in the boxing ring during trials with Good in Bed playing in the background.”

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 10, 2014)

Pugilist Vijender Singh is gearing up for his Bollywood debut. But the Lord of the Ring hasn't forgotten the tricks of his trade. Vijender Singh He takes some hard knock, head on, and comes up with some witty punch lines. Excerpts from the interview:

So, you have moved from boxing to Bollywood now...
Right now I'm at the national camp in Patiala, training for the CWG and the Asian Games. The only difference is that we now play songs from Fugly in the gym. Yesterday, I taught my fellow boxers the choreography of the title track. Kafi simple aur catchy steps hain!

That would be Fugly Fugly Kya Hai.... What was it like to shar screen space with Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan?
Amazing! I've met both before but interacting with the superstars on screen, in my debut film, was a different experience.

Are you serious about acting?
Bilkul, acting koi mamuli baat nahin hain. It requires discipline and hard work. There's so much you have to do—laugh, cry, dance, fight—that you can't do in real life. I'm giving it my 100 per cent. But acting will never come in the way of boxing.

It's being said that your boxing career is almost over.
In a democracy people can say anything. Such things only motivate me to do better.

Last March your wife Archana's car was recovered from outside the home of alleged drug dealer Anoop Singh Kahlon during a raid in which 26 kgs of heroin was seized...
Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan and so many celebrities have been embroiled in controversies. If innocent, you're cleared. There was no evidence against me.

Yes, by May, the National Anti-Doping Agency gave you a clean chit. So do you think you were framed?
I'm not saying I was framed. I'm just glad that everything was sorted out and it's over.

There has been talk that you and Olympian Akhil Kumar are constantly at odds?
No, we're good friends. We train together.

So, things are now fine between you two?
(Laughs) It was never not fine.

You're a cop too?
Yes, ACP, Haryana Police.

Do, you feel like Dabangg's Chulbul Pandey?
(Laughs) Nahin. I'm only the police spokesperson, but in future I plan to become an achcha police officer. I'm serious about that career too.

Your Hindi has improved since you entered Bollywood.
(Laughs) Bambai sab sikha deti hai. So has your English! (Laughs) In Mumbai you have to be perfect.

What made you choose Fugly?
Fugly chose me. I was looking for a good banner. And the character has a North Indian flavour. This is the best script I've been offered so far.

Were there other offers too?
Yes, several since I won the Olympic medal.

One was opposite Govinda's daughter Narmada, what's happening with that film?
I have no idea!

Have you signed any other films?
Nahin.

What if Fugly doesn't work?
It will be a superhit. (Laughs) I've always maintained a positive attitude.

You've won many awards in boxing...
Yes, the Arjuna Award, the Padma Shri, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna...

You think you would win the Best Debutant award in Bollywood?
Agar mile toh I'll be happy.

Didn't you want a bigger star opposite you in your debut?
If you are a hero, you should be able to draw crowds on your own, like Akshay and Salman. No one cares who their heroines are.

What kind of films do you watch?
I loved Salman's Maine Pyar Kiya and Dabangg and Akshay's Jaanwar and Hera Pheri. I enjoy comedies, even on TV I like watching Kapil Sharma's show. Boxing mein bahut stress hai and comedy is a good stressbuster.

Isn't your wife Archana worried now that you are a Bollywood hero and surrounded by beautiful women?
I'm happy married life and my wife is busy with our nine-month-old son Abir. Why should she worry? Even Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar are married!

Is Abir showing signs of being a boxer?
I want him to do whatever he wants to. I've seen 3 Idiots and learnt from it. His mother is a software engineer.

Your father-in-law Surinder Singh is a known name in Haryana's Congress circles. Do you have political aspirations too?
(Laughs) Joh politics mein hain woh bade khiladi hain. Main toh bas khiladi hoon.