It’s a small world, they say, and it indeed is! When I saw Singh on the big screen for the first time, I whispered to my friend sitting next to me, ‘you know both of us are from the same theatre group,’ pointing towards him while watching Raanjhana. That was a few-second cameo, but it was just the beginning for him. Yes, seeing Singh practising his dialogues for a play called Court Martial in Delhi almost over a decade ago was my first memory of him. Apart from everything else, his performance on the stage would demand attention and that’s what set him apart from his contemporaries in that theatre group. 

Cut to 2020, Imran Ansari made his way to our TV screens in Paatal Lok and people couldn’t stop raving about his performance. And what followed was a line of noteworthy projects, from Rocket Boys and Berlin to Paatal Lok Season 2. Does it get overwhelming to process success? “It’s nice not to get too much of a hangover of success or failure. It's just a thing that comes and stays with me, more like a slow release, a happy hormone,” says Singh who’s gearing up for an interesting year ahead with back-to-back projects. Singh is not just about his on-screen persona, but also about what goes behind the scenes–from fitness to grooming and navigating mental health, here’s how the actor manages it all. 

Has acting been always your calling? 

Yes, I always liked the idea of doing it professionally and was intrigued as a kid with the idea of being in movies. Isn’t it fascinating for everyone? You see the difference when you meet people, you’re treated differently and that becomes a motivation for all those who decide to take the plunge. It’s not just the popularity; when you walk inside a room full of people and even if one person appreciates your work, it makes you feel good. I am also able to say this because I am genuinely interested in my work. My theatre days piqued my interest further, I learned the art in its raw form and loved being on the stage. 

Are you a calculative actor or do you prefer going with the flow? 

Some people, I believe, have the aptitude and acumen to understand the dynamics of filmmaking or maybe think they are able to predict the outcome. I am not sure if that's the case because I've heard from all the producers that sometimes we don't know what's going to work. So, I choose not to go down that road; it's not my decision where the film is going to end up. It's pointless to overthink. I believe that to be able to constantly get work and get the kind that I believe in is good enough. There’s no room for overthinking or being over calculative. 

How involved are you in the making of your character when it comes to physical transformation and grooming? 

Yes, of course, I share my input. For instance, for Paatal Lok, I went out and spent some time with the cops. When I went for the look test, I styled my hair a certain way and that look stayed, those long sideburns and side locks with side parting with a little bit of whisk and hair cut short at the back. In season two, Ansari became an IPS officer; it was a different kind of cut, gait, and posture. I take inspiration from culture and some local references. I am overtly aware of those things because I know subconsciously, they are going to add something to the character. With Berlin, it made so much sense for the character to sport a mullet, the 90s look with tanned skin tone to look like a guy from the streets. 

Are you strict with your daily fitness routine? 

If I am not working on any project where all my energies are focused on understanding and building my character, maintaining a certain mobility is what keeps me upbeat and going. I’d say that my fitness regime never lets me down and always keeps me in a positive frame of mind. I realised that if I wake up early and hit the gym even for a short session, I am able to get through the day and tackle challenges in a much better way. 

Tell us about your grooming routine. 

I follow the basics, but it’s more than those steps for me. I believe in overall health, so I am mindful about eating healthy, going to bed on time, and not doing too many late nights. I have a keen interest in diet and nutrition. When I started out, I did a lot of reading on it and worked with some great trainers. Over the years I learned and understood how to regulate my diet so I’m active and more efficient. As far as my skin is concerned, I’d like to credit my genes though of late I have noticed a few spots on my face (laughs). I don’t drink and I never smoked except for once which was for a character. 

But you know when you’re young, you don’t pay much attention to skincare. When I decided that I want to give acting a shot, I straight-up went to a dermatologist who suggested using a moisturiser and sunscreen and I've been following that. I understand that as an actor, you need to be out there, so I take care of these basics religiously. However, often new theories come out that something is not good for you or something else must be done and I wonder if I should believe them. I only follow what comes from a credible source, I don’t follow ‘skinfluencers’ blindly. Thankfully, I have been able to identify a few health experts and certain pages on social media who get into the depth of it. I know the basic rules, the science behind it and follow what I am aware of. I do my research when it comes to health, nutrition, diet and wellness. 

Being under constant public scrutiny, how do you navigate negativity? 

Thankfully, I haven’t been on the receiving end yet but I’m sure it would hurt if it’s for the performance or the hard work you have put in. No one intentionally puts up a bad performance. When you are criticised, it does feel unfair, and it affects me in that moment for sure. I try to look at it from the point of view that everyone’s entitled to their opinion and I have to stick to my lane and maybe also see if there's something I can learn from it; it’s good to keep an open mind and let go of things that I don’t agree with. 

How do you ensure that you’re always in good headspace and your mental peace is not getting compromised? 

This profession takes a toll on you; suddenly you’re in the spotlight and being talked about and the next moment, there’s silence and your phone stops ringing, and then again, you’re expected to bounce back and get back to work. I have worked on myself to not get addicted to adulation because that might not happen every time with every project. So, I do a bunch of things; I meditate, go for a run or watch a movie I like. I've seen ups and downs ever since I decided to pursue this profession. The life of a performing artist gets very lonely until you establish yourself because you're doing it alone. So, you have to keep up and find ways that work for you. 

What’s your idea of unwinding? 

I love going to my home in Delhi. I have my go-to, happy places there. There are a couple of cafes and restaurants that I go to whenever I am in the city, have a cup of coffee there and meet old friends. I like spending time at home and sleeping, mostly.