As a young boy of Class VI, my life changed when I saved a young boy in Jammu from drowning in a swimming pool. I was not an expert swimmer at that time but something made me reach out to him when I saw that he was sinking. This fetched me a bravery award from the President of India, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma. I took the Jeevan Raksha Padak from him and my parents were so proud when I brought home the award on Republic Day. I can never forget that moment.

But life took another big turn when I decided to give the Gladrags Supermodel contest a shot in the year 2003. I had to go to Mumbai from Delhi for the competition and after 20 days of slogging, I won. That was when I got my first taste of the ramp and there has been no looking back ever since. If you ask me whether I was prepared for Gladrags, I did take care of my body from the time I was in school by working out at a gym regularly.

I was 18 when I won Gladrags and had already enrolled with Jamia Millia Islamia as an engineering student but I never went back and finished college. And I have never regretted my decision.

After a slew of satisfying modelling campaigns following my success at Gladrags, I got my first film break in Mahesh Bhatt’s Dhokha last year. It was my debut film and I think I owe it to Bhatt that I won critical acclaim for my performance.

Now I’m waiting for the release of Rakesh Sarang’s film, Horn Okay Please, which also stars Nana Patekar. I have a double role in the film and I also got to work with Patekar who is a great actor. The film is a comedy and I think I have done a good job. I hope I’ll do well in Bollywood!

(As told to Nandini Guha)