As Virender Sehwag is awarded the Polly Umrigar Award for 2007-2008 by the BCCI, today, another man will be smiling broader than usual.
As Virender Sehwag is awarded the Polly Umrigar Award for 2007-2008 by the BCCI, today, another man will be smiling broader than usual.u00a0u00a0u00a0
u00a0u00a0
Jeevan Sharma, a Sehwag clone, hopes that the award for the batsman will result in an upswing in his fortunes.
|
|
I LOOK LIKE VIRU, MAY NOT PLAY LIKE HIM: Jeevan Sharma. u00a0PIC/SAYED SAMEER ABEDI |
Jeevan hails from Ludhiana, but has been living in Mumbai for the past few years. "Every time Sehwag does well, it means more employment for me, as there is more visibility," says Sharma.
Jeevan makes money by doubling as Sehwag in advertisements. "I did one for Saras Doodh in Rajasthan and have also acted in an advertisement for monster.com where I wash clothes as a Sehwag look-alike," he said. Jeevan says he's just returned from Surat where "I had gone for a gully T-10 tournament. I had to walk around the stands and entertain the crowd".
He has also campaigned for the BJP during the November 2008 Vidhan Sabha elections and for a Congress candidate earlier. He says it's tough keeping up with the dashing opener. "Men worry when they start losing their hair, but I was happy, since Sehwag too has lost his hair," said Jeevan.
The clone is also trying to shed 6-7 kg in an effort to look more chiselled. "I am trying to curb eating sweets and fried stuff and walking every day to lose weight." Jeevan hopes to settle down by the end of this year. "It is not because Sehwag is married. I am 31 now, and I should get married."
Jeevan says, "My career as a duplicate will end when Sehwag ends his as a cricketer. Earning a living like this is tough because the income is sporadic. If I find something that ensures a consistent flow of income, I will take it," says the clone who believes God might make two persons who look alike, but their individual destinies takes them different ways.
Duplicate openers Jeevan Sharma, the Sehwag clone, is often accompanied by his 'partner' who opens the batting together. He is a Sachin Tendulkar look-alike by the name of Balvir Chand. Both often entertain spectators at various tournaments. u00a0u00a0
