Tension, stress and over thinking are the causes of illness; so laugh and be happy: Ali Asgar

Ali Asgar, who rose to fame playing the role of Kamal Agarwal in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki (Star Plus), has played several comedy roles in Bollywood movies and as well as television serials. Currently, essaying the role of Juju in SAB TV’s Jeannie Aur Juju and Dadi in Colors’ show Comedy Nights with Kapil, Ali talks about his fitness mantra and more. Personal fitness mantra: My personal fitness mantra is laughter and to be happy. Don’t take unnecessary stress and always think positive. Personal diet mantra: Though there is no particular mantra I follow, but I prefer eating home cooked food and avoid eating outside. And since there are times when I have to be out, I balance my food pattern but maintain not having roadside food even though I crave for them at times. Are you a foodie? Yes, I am. But then, I need to take care of my health considering the amount of hours I spend shooting. I cannot afford to risk my health as I do not even get a half day off from work. So, if I happen to eat heavy today, I make sure that I balance it in the next 2 to 3 days. Exercise routine: I work so hard on the sets that I do not get the time to work-out, and earlier too I never went to a gym; then I used to take walks and played badminton. Are you a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian? I am a strict non-vegetarian. Favourite cuisine: I like all cuisine and not that I have a favourite one at that, but if I have to name one, it would be Moghlai. Favourite dish: I love eating mutton khichda. A must on my breakfast table: Tea and eggs. Sugar or sugar-free tea/coffee: Sugar-free. I am a tea freak, so much so that I consume it 5 times a day! Itni chai mein toh baba Ramdev ko bhi diabetes ho jayega…(laughs) Lunch generally consists of: We are from Iran, so lunch would consist of an Irani gravy dish, some tikkas/kebabs or some starter, with rice/bread/ chapatis. Dinner generally consists of: A combination of veg and non-vegetarian food. Normally we cook at home. I do not believe in the funda of going on a salad/ soup diet as it makes no sense! Kha ke bhi marna hai..bina khaye bhi marna hai…toh khake maro. Dessert delights: Though I do not have a sweet tooth, but I love eating Gazzd, an Irani milk chocolate. I need to have at least one of those before going to bed. One thing I can't resist: Pani-puri and Dahi batata puri. My favourite drink (non-alcoholic): ThumsUp which I am trying to lessen in intake or soup. My favourite drink (alcoholic): I am a strict non-alcoholic person. At parties I have: The people who consume alcohol usually party more. I am not a party goer and if I do, it would be to make my presence felt for some time after which I leave. Most unusual dish I've tasted: So much do I like eating fish and other sea-food that I can survive months on it. So when we were in Italy shooting for Shaadi No. 1, we got a taste of fish that was half-cooked. This was unlike the way we cook in India. Experiment with food: No. On the streets, I love to have: Vada pav, chats, dahi batata puri, pani puri amongst other yummy street food. Do you cook? Though I have done my catering course from Mumbai University, I do not cook for I don’t get time. Fitness tip: Be happy and think positive. Remember the song Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya…Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Udata Chala Gaya (sung by Mohammad Raffi in the film Hum Dono in 1961). Tension, stress and over thinking are the causes of illness. Be good human beings and do good deeds.