Mr India. Represented India at the Mister World pageant in Portugal, and in the Best Model of the World contest. Well-known model – over 500 fashion shows in India and abroad, and appeared in 200+ advertisements. A noteworthy TV and event host. A successful theatre, TV and film actor. Plus a really decent and nice guy. Sachin Khurana is all this and then some… 

By Andrea CostaBir

Which qualities make you excel in all these roles?! 

Persistence and the keenness to grow. Also, the attitude that I need to do better every day – at least 1% better. I read this book called ‘The 1% Rule’ and it changed my life. It says get just 1% better every day in whatever you do. Discipline, consistency, the keenness to learn and grow have helped me evolve. 

Could you tell us about your eventful journey? 

I started while I was still in college. I got a portfolio clicked as my friend’s older brother was a model. And as luck would have it, the pictures came out well. But I was very thin and lanky, so I started working out, and then entered the Mr India contest just to groom myself and gave my 100% there. And I guess it was my day, my destiny, that I won the contest. After that there was no looking back… 

Fashion shows lined up from there, and I worked hard on that. And then eventually, I felt it wasn’t challenging enough. So I started doing theatre in Delhi, came to Mumbai, started a film, waited for that for a couple of years, it didn’t really take off. Then I started one more film, but that too didn’t do well. Nevertheless, I decided to do TV. I had done some TV earlier while in Delhi, small cameos, and I started liking acting. It is still challenging for me. It’s been almost 20 plus years of doing lots of television, lots of web shows. Recently, I had a great time working in ‘Heeramandi’ with Mr Bhansali; I got to see how a perfectionist works. God has been kind. 

Acting is one profession where you have to keep growing – there is so much to learn, so much to do. Acting is endless learning. Getting a command over your language is an endless learning. I’m learning Hindi and Sanskrit. I want to learn the shlokas. I’m reading the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ again. The more you enhance yourself, the more you can do. It gets you centered, it makes you more disciplined. I’m on the right path and I will keep walking. 

How do you slay the challenges you face? And how do you enjoy the appreciation and accolades?

Well, there are many challenges. Different roles are different challenges to playing somebody else. To get into that psyche takes a while. But a good director really helps. A good team really helps shape up your character. Teamwork enhances your skill. And, of course, your discipline, your 1% rule of getting better every day, that really helps. The accolades and appreciation obviously inspire you to do more. I’m thankful and I have gratitude that I get all that. 

Do you have a set routine to prepare to host events and live shows? Are there any rituals you follow?

When you host events and live shows, you have to meditate and block out whatever you were thinking, you have to be centered at that moment in your life as you can’t make mistakes. And if there are any, you need to cover up fast. To ensure that the audience does not get bored nor focuses on the actual glitches in the show, you need to be a great public speaker. Your confidence level has to be high. Your general knowledge needs to be good, you need to read books to understand what you can speak about if there are gaps. I’ve been polishing my skills for years now and I hope I’m getting better.

Can you share any memorable experiences from your time working in television or film?

It’s not about the length of your role that matters. It’s about who you work with and what you understand about your character and how that character can shape your life. I was working with Mr Bhansali on ‘Heeramandi’ and I was playing a krantikari in that.

So, on the first day, Mr Bansali came to us and spoke about how krantikaris are the most powerful people. They leave everything, including their loved ones, to serve the nation. I think it’s very, very difficult to do that. Only a very powerful man can do that. And that makes you realise that everyone has power inside them. It’s about what is important to you. How can you make your life more meaningful? That struck me when he said that. And that has influenced my thinking and I’m now working towards making my life more meaningful.

Are there any roles you’ve played that have had a significant personal or emotional impact on you?

Like I said, ‘Heeramandi’ was a great experience with Mr Bhansali. I’ve also done a couple of web shows that I’m proud of. Especially ‘Hostages’ on Disney+ Hotstar where Ronit Roy and I play parallel leads in the second season. That’s been fantastic. I shot a show called ‘Khaba Gutharmia’, which is on Zee5. It’s about the real estate sector of Dubai and I spent two months in Dubai shooting it. In fact, it beat Kapil Sharma’s show on TRPs in Dubai and the Middle East. 

Then there’s also a television show called ‘Suhagan Chudail’ on Colors right now. And I have two web series that I’ve done that will be released soon – ‘The Eighth Man’ and ‘Udhamgarh’; and I’m excited about them.

‘The Eighth Man’ is with Rahul Dev and Mugdha Godse. And ‘Udhamgarh’ has Iqbal Khan and Nishant Malkani. Directed by Shadab Khan, it has turned out very well. I make sure I give my work my 100%. Every role that I do I’m excited about. Otherwise, I’m not going to be a part of that role. In fact, I’ve made that rule for myself: Whatever I can’t watch, I will not do. 

What message do you strive to convey through your work?

Work is worship. And whatever you do, you have to leave a great impact. Maybe touch a few lives with your behaviour, humbleness, the quality of your work, the way you speak, dress and carry yourself. 

Sachin, you are always well-behaved, kind, calm and collected. How do you remain grounded and gracious in an industry that is wracked by insecurity and stress?

There’s insecurity and stress everywhere. But the whole idea is believing in yourself. When you believe in yourself, believe in your craft, when you’ve worked on your craft, when you’ve worked on yourself, and you have discipline, there is no way that you should be insecure. 

Also, I believe that if you’re an actor, if you’re an artiste, there has to be a proper way of managing your money. If you manage your money correctly, and if you don’t work even for six months, because your money is well managed, the insecurity is also managed. Stress can be handled by working out and meditating. 

We need to understand that the truth of life is about now. Nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow. But as long as you live now 100%, tomorrow will be taken care of.

Quick Take:

Most memorable film you’ve worked in?

‘Pyaar Mein Twist’, an old film with Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, where I play Dimpleji’s son. It was a great time working with Rishi Kapoor, hearing the stories of ‘Coolie’ when Mr Bachchan was injured. Having those moments with him in the evening and seeing a master perform was truly memorable.

Fave TV serial you were part of?

‘Aapki Antara’, on Zee, where I played an autism specialist. In fact, I did quite a bit of research on autism, and I went around understanding how doctors conduct the prescribed therapies. Also ‘Avinash I.P.S’, my first show as a lead, where I play a super cop. 

Hobbies? 

I wanted to be a car mechanic when I was small; it still engages me to see how cars function. I started reviewing cars professionally too; it’s a hobby and passion.

Go-to cuisine?

Thai and South Indian.

Exercise routine?

Very regular. And after a hectic day, if I haven’t worked out, I do stretching. It relaxes my muscles, gets the right hormones flowing, and gives me a good night’s sleep.

3 foods/ drinks you avoid?

Fried food, maida, and too many biscuits because most of them have palm oil, though I do need a few with my tea. I avoid all alcoholic drinks, but I love my shikanji, nimbu pani, black coffee, and good masala chai.

Relationship status? 

Single, but I look forward to finding my partner in crime soon!