After battering Jinder Mahal with a steel chair, Randy Orton looked set to regain the WWE Championship by escaping the Punjabi Prison, but an interruption by The Great Khali made sure that The Modern Day Maharaja retained his belt at the WWE Battleground pay-per-view. 

Post this nail biting encounter, Jinder Mahal boasted about how he had ended Randy Orton’s legacy, as he wants to become the greatest WWE champion ever. We spoke to the Indian-origin performer post his victory about his childhood, his finishing move and his fitness secrets among other things. Excerpts: 

What was your childhood like?

I had a very happy childhood. I was into a lot of sports and was very active. I idolized WWE wrestlers like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, and wanted to become like them. 

For those people who look at you as a bodybuilding inspiration, what are some of your fitness secrets?

I do a lot of functional training, that is related to the moves I perform in the ring. It’s pretty explosive stuff. I eat every two hours, with balanced carbohydrates and balanced protein that speeds up my metabolism.

If you could have a dream match against someone, who would it be?

My dream match would be against the WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, and I know I am going to beat him. 

How did you come up with your finishing move, Khallaas?

It was inspired from my uncle (Gama Singh) who had this move called the Cobra Clutch. So yeah, I have to thank my uncle for that. 

Like The Rock, Stone Cold And John Cena, do you see yourself acting in Hollywood movies? 

When the time is right, I’d love to do it. But right now, my focus is 100% on the being the greatest WWE Champion of all time. 

What do you like to do in your free time? 

There is no free time. Being a WWE champion is a 24×7 responsibility, and I feel blessed to have this opportunity. If you give 120% to WWE, WWE will give 120% back. But yes, if I get some time off, I like to go to the beaches in Florida or go cycling.