‘I HAD PLAYED OPPOSITE SAINA NEHWAL’
Actor Saiyami Kher talks about her love for fitness, badminton and cricket, and more
Saiyami Kher was a total sports freak before she became a model and an actor. She used to play badminton in her school and college days at the national level. She also played cricket and was a part of the Maharashtra State team.
She says that her sports background has been one of the main reasons behind her being a fitness enthusiast.
“Being a foodie, I am not particular about my diet, but I never overeat. Also, I make sure that I run. I usually run 10 km, and on days when I feel I need to work out more, given the kind of food I had, I run about 15 km,” says Saiyami. “While shooting for [Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s] Mirzya (2016) in Ladakh, I used to run to and from my hotel to the set. Exercise for me is not punishment because I have gorged on too much food. But I enjoy doing it to stay fit and enjoy my food more,” she adds.
Talking about Mirzya, the actor is reminded of one incident that happened while shooting the film. “Kiran More (former cricketer) is the father of one of the assistant directors on the film. While visiting his daughter on the sets, he recognised me and complimented me on my fitness. He also told me that I just need two months of proper training to play for India,” she shares. At a time when Bollywood is churning out a series of biopics, and a lot of them are on sports personalities, did Saiyami ever think of doing any of them? “Yes, I would love to and hope to do something around sports soon. There are films on Saina [Nehawal], Mithali Raj, etc. [being made] and I feel I could
There are films on Saina [Nehawal], Mithali Raj, etc. and I feel that I could do justice to them, given my skills. I had even played opposite Saina, during a Junior National tournament SAIYAMI KHER ACTOR
do justice to them, given my skills. I had even played opposite Saina during a Junior National tournament, and she smashed the living daylights out of me (laughs). I am still in touch with her,” adds the 25year-old.