Schwarzenegger inspired Sooraj Pancholi for fit physique

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Young actor Sooraj Pancholi says he was inspired by legendary Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger to work on his physique.

"I was 14 years old when I saw the documentary 'Pumping Iron'. It had Arnold Schwarzenegger and one of his primary competitors for the title of Mr. Olympia, Lou Ferrigno. When I saw that documentary, I took a decision to join the gym. That is where everything started off. He is one of my biggest inspirations and he always will be," Sooraj said here at the launch of Liv-Fit-Fitness on Thursday.

Sooraj, who was charged with abetting the suicide of actress Jiah Khan -- whom he was once dating -- says he remains happy due to fitness.

Asked about his advice to the youth, he said: "People ask me, 'Sooraj, you have gone through so much in your life, how do you keep yourself happy? How do you always smile and laugh?' They think it is because I come from a well established family... But the thing is that it is fitness that keeps me going."

On the professional front, the actor, who made his Bollywood debut with a remake of Subhash Ghai's 1983 film "Hero", is working on a new project helmed by Remo D'souza. It also stars Ajay Devgn, and it was reported that both actors will train for it under international stunt artistes in Germany for three months.