Karan Patel

My trainer ensures I eat right and balance out in between my hectic shoot schedule.

My diet is high on protein, which keeps me energised and fresh.

I am a different person in front of the camera; it comes as easy to me as breathing does.

I do a lot of weight training, and my workouts are intense, which include cardios, core body workouts, and functional training.

I don't belong to the slums, but to play Naru in 'City Of Gold', I had to live for months in a real chawl before we shot the film.

My role model has been Shah Rukh Khan. There is something or the other for one to learn from his career.

I think one needs a companion at some point in life.

I am quite a fitness freak. I may not have the time to sleep, but a workout is a must. I have even set up a small personal gym on the sets.

My mom has always been beside me, always telling me what's right and what's not, guiding me through it all, keeping me away from bad company and from bad habits.

You cannot go far alone. You enjoy your journey better if you have people by your side.

There have been times when I have goofed up, and like every adolescent, I sometimes did get led the wrong way. I would come back home really scared to face my mom's wrath and anger, but surprisingly, I never got to face one. She would always tell me in a very nice manner that what I did was wrong and that I should correct myself.

My life is an open book. You're welcome to speculate.

I am blessed with a funny gene that makes me enjoy life.

The funniest memory that I can recall about my school days has to be one incident that involved unfinished homework for numerous days. I didn't do any of my homework for days and days at a stretch, and kept stalling my teacher that I was extremely unwell and was under heavy medication.

I don't go by or change my attitude based on what people say. At the end of the day, they, too, are judging me from their perspective. I would rather be myself and let people accept me for what I am than be somebody who I am not, just because I want people's approval.