Before getting into showbiz, I was working in Delhi. Whenever I used to punch in, I would think how life is so much more than my nine-to-six schedule. This thought lingered and I started taking out time from my job just to travel to Mumbai for auditions. In about four to five months, I got a call back from Balaji who told me that I got cast as a parallel lead in the show Kalash. After this, I played the lead role in Ek Deewana Tha on Sony and Roop-Mard Ka Naya Swaroop. Then, I stepped in as Happy in Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji where I had replaced the lead girl; it was my third consecutive show as a lead. I did these four shows back to back for four years.
Apart from acting, I enjoy painting and writing poems. I have a blog where I post all my written work. I have been working out extensively since the lockdown began. When the gyms were open, I used to go but I was more occupied with my shoots and meetings. Now I watch workout videos on YouTube and my gym trainer takes online sessions.
My family means everything to me. I always celebrate all major occasions with my family. There were times that I used to carry my luggage with me to the set, complete the shoot and straightway head towards the airport to get home as soon as possible. Even if it is for a day, I would rather spend it with my family than do anything else. I can’t measure up the amount of adulation I have for my family. I even flew down to Delhi for my brother’s birthday which was on June 5 despite all the tough circumstances and happily baked a cake for him for the first time in my life. I must say, it was very tasty. Did I mention that I have a sweet-tooth?
As told to Oshin Grace Daniell
Donal’s diet
I am lactose and gluten intolerant. So, I avoid milk products and rotis. But curd is something that suits me, hence I consume it.
Pre-breakfast: The first thing I consume in the morning is coconut water.
Breakfast: I have a bowl of fruits and some eggs. I also like black grams.
Lunch: I prefer rice with lentils, kidney beans or chickpeas.
Evening snack: I enjoy eating dosa and uthappam.
Dinner: I keep it light. Nothing in particular but a meal that can be easily digested.
Nutrition advice
* Start your day with a powerhouse drink, like a vegetable smoothie—spinach, kale and apple. Add chia seeds as well. This works like a liver detox and helps with hormone health.
* Eggs are a perfect option for breakfast. As for mid-morning energy booster, indulge in a fruit and some coconut water.
* For lunch, consume gluten-free rotis made from jowar, bajra, rajgira or quinoa with vegetables, lentils and curd. You can also have brown rice with pulses like Bengal gram or kidney beans.
* Metabolism drops in the evening, so consume low-carb food during this time. Indulge in ragi dosa, moong dal chilla at least four times a week and have dosa for the rest of the days.
* Keep your dinner light with some soup, steamed vegetables and a plant-based protein.
* Be sure to consume at least three litres of water a day.
