Manav Gohil, Actor
“At 22, I was already a ramp model in my home town, but modelling was just a hobby”
What were your career options at 22?
I had just got my BCom degree and was working as a sales representative, marketing credit cards. I was in two minds—to join my dad’s business or start my own marketing consultancy. I was already a ramp model in Baroda, where I grew up, but modelling was just a hobby. Acting wasn’t a career option yet.
Were you romantically involved?
There have been were very few times, possibly for a few months, when I was not romantically involved. Not in a flippant way. At 22, I was in a serious relationship, with someone who I’m still in touch with. She has kids now and there is just tremendous respect.
Your focus in life?
I was aggressive about personal growth. I was fascinated by good English. When I heard a new word, I would write it down in my pocket diary, find its meaning in a dictionary and try and accommodate it in my vocabulary.
What was your bank balance then?
I earned around ₹8,000. I had an account with Bank of Baroda, which had ₹15,000-₹20,000.
Your state of mind?
I was philosophically-inclined. I read J Krishnamurti and loved chess.
Your sense of fashion?
I was into basic denims and T-shirts. I had already built a body as I played cricket, swam and had been working out in a gym since I was 16. So, I thought T-shirts fitted me well.
Your most prized possession then?
I saved up money and bought a second-hand Yezdi bike for ₹8,000 bucks.
A misadventure from that time that has stayed with you?
I borrowed my dad’s car without his knowledge to take a girl out for a drive. It started raining heavily and the car’s front wheel got stuck in an open drain hole.
I was so panic-stricken that I found the strength to literally pick the front of the car out of the hole!
“I WAS A BARODA BOY, FASCINATED BY GOOD ENGLISH. WHEN I HEARD A NEW WORD, I WOULD WRITE IT DOWN” —MANAV GOHIL