Get to know... Shashank Arora

Actor and musician Shashank Arora talks about the success of his latest release, the food he’s craving and his most star-struck moments

Actor and musician, @ShashankSArora and @shashank.arora

Currently I am:

Soaking chana to make chole chawal and enjoying the success of The Song of Scorpions, which was released in April.

High point in life:

Having a loving family. Doing what I love and getting recognised for it.

Low point in life:

Mum having cancer when I was 14. Losing a friend during college.

On my playlist:

The Battle of Evermore from the album Led Zeppelin IV.

On my speed dial:

Ma, sister, father, dadi, girlfriend and best friend. Also my housekeepers Sandhya and Ram, and my vegetable delivery guy.

Today I’m craving:

Mangoes and litchi.

Next big splurge:

A holiday in Monaco.

Last thing I ordered online:

Kadhi chawal from Zomato.

App I check before going to bed:

New Scientist.

Advice I’d give my 18-year-old self:

Don’t take anybody or yourself too seriously.

A secret skill I have:

I can stand on one leg for 20 to 30 minutes and speak on the phone.

A superpower I wish I had:

To be powerful enough to turn everyone compassionate.

My favourite Sunday memory while growing up:

Eating aloo puri with my parents.

Most star-struck moment so far:

Meeting Abbas Kiarostami, Werner Herzog, Robert De Niro, Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah.

Favourite bad habit:

Smoking.

A trait I despise in people:

Classism and lack of empathy.

I won’t leave the house without…:

House keys.

Best thing about fame:

Receiving love from strangers.

Worst thing about fame:

It is overrated and useless.