Though many would aim at working out in a gym to build an enviable body, actor Puranjit DasGupta aka Mantra believes in an exercise-cum-meditation programme which he says helps him keep himself focused on his work on the small screen. He says, “The secret of my fitness is not heavy workout but it is the dedication to my work. I do not work out because I don’t get time. My work keeps me fit. The only workout that I do is Suryanamaskar every morning and a set of push-ups.”
Mantra follows a blood group-oriented diet plan to make sure that he eats the right proportion of food. Talking about the diet, he says, “My diet is not too intense but not very light either. I am a B+ blood group and my dietician has given me a food chart that suits me. There are people for whom a glass of milk works like magic and there are those for whom five glasses are less. So eating the right amount according to your body is necessary.”
Travelling is something that keeps Mantra’s metabolism intact. The actor keeps travelling to different locations for shoots and loves to walk. In fact, on his recent trip to Paris, he covered the entire city walking. “I love walking and travelling. Luckily, I get to travel a lot during shoots. Travelling is a tiring job and digests all what I had. I remember on my trip to Paris, I walked down the entire city. It is not very difficult for a person who loves walking,” he states.
Other than his diet and workout, Mantra loves playing cricket. He plays wherever and whenever it is possible. Even on the sets of his show, Mantra plays the game with his co-actors and staff. “Now you can imagine Raja Kapse bowling with all the makeup of Lord Brahma and the three heads,” he chuckles referring to the series Narayan Narayan to be aired on Big Magic channel from April 6 onwards. Mantra will play the title role in it.
An actor’s voice plays an important role in shaping his career. Keeping this in mind, Mantra does like humming and vocal chord exercises.
The topic of vocal exercises takes Mantra back to the time when he used to work at The Taj Hotel in Indore. “We used to see people answer phone calls at the reception. Their style, accent, language and voice modulation taught me English. My command over Hindi is good because of my hometown influence. I started vocal exercises when I entered the media industry.”
Mantra does not believe in fasting. He goes by the belief that eating is important and not eating has a bad effect on the body.
