His rugged look and charming smile go well with his tall, lean frame. A VJ and an actor, Rannvijay Singh who has tasted success early in life, is easy to talk to. He has made informed choices in life and has goals and aspirations that won't be difficult for a person of his calibre to achieve.
NXg caught up with Rannvijay on his visit to the city to gift Praveen Selvam the keys to his brand new Hyosung St7 Super Bike, after winning Wrangler's True Wanderer title, after a nation-wide campaign.
Roadies to acting. Tell us about the highs and lows of your journey?
It's been eight years now. I have been passionate about biking. I wanted to have a great time before I went to Chennai to join the Officers Training Academy. The whole deal for me then was to win a bike and be a lieutenant with a bike. I had the time of my life at Roadies, having won it and even though I knew that having a decision to make would be difficult. It was all about choosing between a 40-year respectable career or a one off show on MTV. The first three months were a trying period. After the first three seasons, it took off pretty well. Not only did I start doing other shows but I also got movie offers. I have also been endorsing a few brands and my first solo film with Nagesh Kukunoor just released a few days ago. Looking forward to working in a few more. Highs and lows are a part of any career and in the growth chart the graph is also looking upwards then you know you can count on it. This was a decision involving passion and am happy to be where I am.
We know of your love for bikes. How many do you own and which is your favourite bike and biking trail?
The favourite bike would always be the first bike which resulted in more bikes. The Charisma that I won on Roadies that's the bike that got me on this career path, and got me my other super bikes. I have a Kawasaki Ninja, Yamaha X900, Enfield and a couple of dirt bikes. My favourite biking trail has been on different bikes, once on the Charisma and the other on the Enfield. They were both trips that tested the biker's sense and sensibilities. I have been to many places on rides but going on trips with like minded people, as wanderers just like the Wrangler Trail. As a free spirited biker one enjoys the quest of adventure and enthusiasm making and planning your schedules and being spontaneous.
You have been a part of Roadies and Splitsvilla. How do you feel about it?
I have been a part of all seasons of Roadies. I was 20 when I first started out and today am on Season 9. It's been life for me. It's a different show each year, a new country, a new biking trail and new people. What makes me it special is every year when we come back it's like we aim at doing better. We get so much of feedback and we just aim at doing better.
Are you keen on sports and fitness?
I am a lot into sports and fitness and not too much into gymming. I play basketball and I have played the Nationals too. I have taken part in about 11 Nationals representing Delhi. At school I have played every sport for my house. That's the way we were brought up. We played sports according to the season. Except for water polo, I play everything. We need to be fit and I prefer playing sports to stay fit.
What makes you a style icon?
The fact that you don't make notes in your head about the way you look is what makes an individual different. It's all about what makes you comfortable. You may have a lot of money to buy all the brands but what's the point in wearing them if you can't carry them off? The person's confidence and the way you project yourself is far more important than what you wear. If you have a good personality you can carry off anything you wear.
Roadies or Bollywood, which one's for keeps?
Am not married to Roadies or Bollywood so I don't have to choose. I would like to maintain a good balance between the two. I enjoy the space on the small screen and television is not acting for me. I only act in movies. True, it is getting hectic but I know I will make proper choices and balance it out.
Single or taken? And what would/did you look for in your partner?
Am single and what I would like in my life partner is that she should be independent, fun loving and she should be secure and confident. It's not all about looks for me because I know that's a short lived one but it's the person who will stay with you.
First time in Chennai?
I have been to Chennai many times. And I love the city. In fact the first international trip started from here. I have memories of my mother and me playing at the Golden Beach at VGP when my dad was here at OTA. I have come here for other events too. This place is hot humid and playing sports here is my favourite way to spend time. It's a great feeling to sweat it out.
Words of wisdom…
The message for the youth who are anyway charged is to guide them in the proper direction. Just the way we wear protective gear during our stunts we need to tell them to channel it in the right way so that their passion results in success. With so many new forms of sports making their way it's just a matter of time before the youth will get to choose from a platter and they need to get the choices right.
My favourites…
TV Show: Master Chef India
Holiday: Ride to Leh
Cartoon: Tom and Jerry
Actor: Amitabh Bachchan
VJ: Anusha
Colour: White because it has all seven colours in it
Cuisine: Am a ‘mauk'atarian. Mauke pe jo mil jaye, I'll eat that. (I just eat whatever I get)
Music: I hate trance. I love fusion, Punjabi and Bollywood.
Place: Mumbai because it gave me work.
