Talktime |SIDDHART MAlHOTRA
It’s not just the shoots and live performances that keep actors on their toes. Plunging into amazing leisure activities to unwind themselves from work also signifies them. Model-turned-actor Sidharth Malhotra, who has recently signed up as Brand Ambassador of Tourism New Zealand for India, talks to Sangeeta Yadav about his once in a life time experience he is having, before getting back to shoots of Baar Baar Dekho and Kapoor & Sons
You are brand ambassador of Tourism New Zealand for India. What are you doing in New Zealand at this timeIJ
It has been the most enthralling experience of my life. I have been indulging in a lot of adventure sports and visiting some amazing scenic places at New Zealand. I will have to come back to this place again and again.
Tell us about the scariest moment you experienced in different adventure sports.
I would say sky diving which I did at Queenstown was the scariest. First, we flew 15,000 feet in a plane. I felt extreme fear and anxiety when I was sitting on the edge of the plane looking down and the instructor counting to three for me to jump. Once you take that jump, the first five second are incredibly scary. You do one minute of free fall where I was just flying and floating, and went through clouds and after a point I could see mountains and lakes and all the Kiwi greenery. I felt the wind as never before. When you rip the parachute out, you slow down and then absorb the ambience.
Did you overcome your fear after thatIJ
Yes, I got emotional as it sunk in that what I had have accomplished was something very big. Those three seconds when you take the plunge and overcome the fear is something you’ll never forget. You in the grip of fear and anxiety while jumping off the plane but the rush and the high that you feel thereafter is second to nothing. The adrenaline that pumps in your body is something you’ll never experience anywhere else. Everybody should experience third exceptional sport. It’s extremely liberating as it gives you strength in all aspects of your life. After doing this, I am confidence I can do much more in life.
How was the skywalkIJ
Skywalking on the tallest tower in New Zealand is another risky sport but again it made me face my fear. They give you an option to walk on an unbarricaded platform on the outside of the top floor of the tower. As you walk you can see the city view of Auckland. That was a great mix of site seeing and adventure sport.
You’ve jumped off a plane, you’ve walked the tallest tower... what nextIJ Bungy jumping off the Auckland sea bridgeIJ
I opted for sky-diving instead of bungy jumping as we had limited time. Also bungy jumping is something we already have in India, though we don’t have the scenic views of New Zealand. Apart from this, I also did Shotover River jet boating in between the Canyons at Queenstown. The drivers are extremely skilled and they take you at a very high speed. I almost felt that we’ll bump into the rocks. We also did hot air ballooning which reminded me of one of the romantic scenes in Bollywood movies.
Apart from the adventure, any other place that you found mind blowingIJ
We went to Kerikeri Island where we walked through an ancient forest. It’s known for Tane Mahuta, a sacred tree which is also known as The lord of the Forest. People residing here believe in it and worship it. The lakes were beautiful.
What’s happening at the Bollywood frontIJ
My two films Nitya Mehra’s Baar Baar Dekho with Katrina Kaif and Karan Johar’s Kapoor & Sons with Fawad Khan and Alia Bhatt are under way and slated to release next year.