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But when it comes to films, his attitude is far more positive. “If I get a good opportunity, I wouldn’t mind taking it up,” he says, responding to buzz about a collaboration with his good friend, Akshay Kumar.

After her recent Olympic medal win, fellow boxer Mary Kom is to be the subject of a Sanjay Leela Bhansali-produced biopic. Does Singh wish he’d get a similar honour?

“For my life, I would say picture abhi baaki hai. I still have a lot to do. Anyway, one movie won’t suffice to cover my life,” he laughs, adding on a serious note, “But Mary deserves everything she’s got. In India, if a sportsperson wins, then they are heroes and if not, then no one recognises them. She’s done what no one could, and after being a five-time world champion and bearing two kids, she deserves it all. She should have got her due much earlier.”

Unlike Mary, Vijender failed to bring home a medal — something he’d managed at the previous Olympics. But he denies any hurt sentiments from fans or critics. “I don’t feel disappointed or think about what people say, as it is part of the game. I believe in doing my work. Good and bad times will always be there,” says the boxer. Currently on a break, he is fulfilling his endorsement commitments, but the next Olympics isn’t far from his mind. “I’m looking forward to upcoming tournaments,” he says.