Comedian-actor Balraj Syal says that while he loved reading during his childhood years, he wasn’t able to take out much time for it once work began. However, it was one book which brought back his habit of reading and there has been no turning back after that.
“While I was an avid reader in school, I somehow did not get the time to read much after that. Until I came across the autobiography of Yuvraj Singh. I have read that book multiple times as I have always been his fan. The way he played in the World Cup when India won and the way he battled his cancer was so inspiring. I mean he fought that disease, the surgery was done, chemotherapy was done and he came back to the field, even stronger. That book really inspired me. His journey inspired me. I think everyone should read this book, especially people who think there’s something stopping them in life from achieving their goal. Everyone should read the autobiography of Yuvraj Singh,” he says.
There is another book which inspired him to read more. “I also loved Amish Tripathi’s Meluha Ke Mritunjay(Immortals of Meluha). In fact, I also gifted one copy to my father as well. It’s all about Shiva,” he says.
Meanwhile, the actor-comedian adds that while books can be read on apps too nowadays, he prefers reading physical books. “Books are now available online but the feeling of a paperback in your hand is priceless. Also, the fact that there is no screen time and it’s an absolute ad-free experience, one that is not available on an app. I mean I get the bit about not wasting paper, but the feeling of holding a book is very different from reading it online,” he says.
