Nothing was perfectly outlined in the life of Pankaj Advani. Everything just happened, and is still happening, in a more accurate manner than anything that’s meticulously planned. At 10, he had his first shot at billiards, not to mention, accidentally. Today, at 26, he is the only world champion to play both billiards and snooker, and the only sportsperson to win five Asian titles

Off the billiards table, his cute, charming good looks and natural ability to rock the dance floor could soon land him a Bollywood flick, as he doesn’t rule out its possibility, if something exciting comes his way. As an experimenter in the laboratory of life, he may not know what the future holds for him, but the self-proclaimed non-tech man, Advani knows for sure what it takes to be successful.

“The only failure is the failure to try. The only measure of success is how we cope with the disappointment,” he tweets. If only tweeting was regarded as being tech-savvy,  non-fanboy Advani would have certainly qualified for it.

Pankaj doesn’t mince words when he says, “I’m not  humble.” And, bring him to the, by now prerequisite, topic of wedding, he is sure to astonish you with a diplomatic shot.

Just like in life, his approach towards sports is pretty much realistic, being gracious in both victory and defeat. Having won the Asian Billiards Championship in Goa in April 2012, this Padmashri awardee has become the first sportsperson to win five Asian Titles.

In a candid talk with CIOL, he describes how it feels to be a cueist in a cricket-crazy country like India and he knows well that not everyone can be a Sachin Tendulkar.

Some excerpts

CIOL: Fame or money? Which one would be your first preference?

PANKAJ: Not both. For me, it is the respect one earns from people. It is the character one builds for self. Results matter. Play quality sports and the recognition, fame and money will automatically follow.

CIOL: Video games make billiards look like a child’s play. How can they be leveraged to encourage youth and train them in the game?

PANKAJ: Video games are good to know the game. In reality, a lot depends on a person’s techniques, the physical needs, etc. The game can be encouraged by including it in school and college curriculum. Children must be exposed to the game in schools so that they can pursue it as a career.

CIOL: How does it feel to be a cueist in a cricket-crazy country like India?

PANKAJ: It is not everyone’s cup of tea. Not everyone can be a Sachin Tendulkar. Out of a million only 10 make it big in cricket. What’s most important is to be invloved in the game, believe in your ability and only then you can excel in any game. In any game, what’s utmost important is the passion to be successful.

CIOL: Billiards is considered a rich man’s game. Your opinion..
PANKAJ: It’s a misconception. There are plenty of players from middle class families who have made it big in the game. Unlike other games, billiards equipment don’t cost much, unless one wants to set it up at home. All that a player needs to pursue the game is a membership to a club. It is competitive like any other game.

CIOL: What is that one thing that the world doesn’t know about you.

PANKAJ: I love playing with my hair. My hand automatically goes up to my head when I am doing nothing. And I am obsessed with mirror. I have to look my best in every mirror in the house. Even my mom keeps teasing me ‘Give you a mirror anywhere and you will make best use of it.’ Be it the dressing room, the lift, hotel lobby and anywhere I love seeing myself in the mirror.

CIOL: Your favourite food and holiday destination…

PANKAJ: I am a complete vegetarian and would love anything that starts with P. Paneer, pasta, pizza, paratha. And it is purely because my name also starts with P. About holiday destination, I love Latvia, a Scandinavian island. I had gone there when I was 10 years, but the memory is still fresh in my mind. I had really enjoyed eating at a Hare Ram Hare Krishna restaurant there.

CIOL: If you are stranded on an island, which gadgets would be your best companion?

PANKAJ: Hmmm.. It could be my iPhone. Honestly, I am not a technology person but I believe it is necessary to know technology as it makes life easier.

CIOL: Describe one incident that brought to the fore the humblest part of you?
PANKAJ: I am not humble. We all have our own share of egoes. Nobody is perfect in this world. More than being humble, what’s essential is how you treat others. We have to treat every one equally irrespective of their caste or creed. Actually, spirituality keeps me grounded. When you win you have to be gracious and in defeat, you just accept it. Sports is a great teacher. Like in life, there are ups and downs in the game too, so, that makes you the person you are.

CIOL: If not a cueist, what would have the world known Pankaj Advani as?

PANKAJ: I wouldn’t have an identity. The game has given me the identity. My priority has always been the game and it is my best companion. I can’t imagine myself without the game.

CIOL: Wedding bells on cards?
PANKAJ: Not for another three years. I am 26 now and have a hectic schedule, can’t really think in that direction unless something unexpected comes by. It doesn’t mean I am waiting for something, but you know sometimes it just happens. My focus right now is to become a better and stronger player.

CIOL: If there is a Bollywood offer…

PANKAJ: … I may not say no. I feel there is a time and place for everything in life. I am the kind who would experiment with the laboratory of life. I would love to experiment and experience.