Boxing is a stress buster for me, says actor Ashwin Kakamanu

Actor Ashwin Kakamanu, praised for Thanal, says boxing has become a stress buster and fitness booster for him. Inspired by Rocky, he trains with his wife and friends for motivation and relief.

Chennai: Well-known actor Ashwin Kakamanu, whose performance in director Ravindra Madhava’s action thriller Thanal won praise from critics and industry insiders, has revealed that boxing has become a major part of his life — and a powerful stress buster.

Talking exclusively to IANS, Ashwin said: “Boxing is something I always enjoyed watching because I’m a huge Sylvester Stallone fan. Therefore, I’m a huge Rocky fan by default. Right from when I was a teenager, it has always been a thrill for me. Even when I was down, I would just put it on YouTube and watch it.”

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Recalling how he first took up the sport, Ashwin shared: “Before the pandemic, I had actually gotten this offer for a boxing film which I really liked. I thought, ‘This is it. I get to play this role.’ So, I joined boxing. But then the pandemic happened, and boxing went by the wayside.”

“Last year, I felt I should get back to it. Boxing gives you mental relief. It’s a stress buster. I also go with my wife and my friends, so it’s actually fun to do it together,” he said.

Ashwin added: “We all go for class and motivate each other. Your body posture automatically changes when you take up the sport. Your shoulders, your speed — all those things improve. In fitness, it gets repetitive going to the gym and doing the same things. So, adding a new skill like boxing changes that. There’s also animal flow, animal postures, and mobility. Boxing helps me get into that Zen state.”