Mr. India SA - Razeen Dada

He is the current Mr. India South Africa. Not only has he studied for 8 years to be a Chartered Accountant, but he is also very passionate about modelling and acting. He has featured in an Outsurance advert in 2015 and as a male model in the Cape Town Mens Wear Fashion week in 2016. Recently he featured in the Asiana bridal magazine as a male model and has been chosen for the 2016 edition as well. He will be starring in his first leading role in the first proudly South African Bollywood love story filming in October this year. He is none other than the dynamic Razeen Dada. This is one humble, down to earth individual who certainly has a zest for life and firmly believes in the motto of living your life to the fullest. Read on to find out more in his own words.

Nationality: Proudly South African
Pet Peeve: Poor customer service.
Drink you would order at Starbucks: Flat White Cappuccino
Favourite cologne: I wear different Cologne’s for different occasions. I am enjoying the latest Hugo Boss Oud at the moment, it’s quite Spicy!

1. Firstly Razeen, thank you so much for taking time out to be interviewed by me on such short notice. Tell me a little more about your family background and life from childhood until present?

Thank you Sumayya for interviewing me, you have a very interesting and intriguing blog. I was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. My parents are both from farm towns and moved to Durban before I was born. Growing up on the southern tip of Africa gives a person so much depth when working in a big city like Johannesburg, London, Dubai or Singapore. I went to Cape Town to study at the University of Cape Town and thereafter went on to complete my Accounting articles in Johannesburg and London. Growing up in Durban is charming and rich with culture, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

2. Did you always wish to be a part of the glitz and glamour of the modelling and acting industry from a young age? Was your family supportive of you in terms of your career choices?

Yes, since I was about 10 years old I was mesmerized by the film industry. My family has always been supportive over my career choices. My parent’s highlighted the importance of a solid educational foundation and the pursuit of following one’s passion & purpose in life. Hence the Chartered Accountant and Actor in me.

3. Why did you enter the Mr. India South Africa competition? After winning the competition, what are some of the events that you need to be involved in? Has the competition allowed you to grow as an individual?

I am a goal driven person. My dream is to proudly represent South Africa on a world-wide level through my passions as an Actor, Entrepreneur and an Investment specialist. The competition allows me to be a leader and an ambassador to our local communities and the entire country. Furthermore, I would like to play my part in making Durban one of the greatest cities in the world. There are no specific events that I need to be involved in, it is very much a self-driven title with an incredible support team that makes a difference. I have most certainly grown as an individual since I entered as a finalist in the competition. I learnt many things from the competition. I have enhanced my knowledge on the qualities of being a learner, a team player, a leader and a gentleman. Being Mr India South Africa is an opportunity and a platform to grow myself and others as young businessmen, and to promote the Indian Arts and Culture to all South Africans and other countries.
We were given the honour and opportunity to learn from prominent leaders in South Africa such as his Excellency - Mr R Ragunathan the Consul General of INDIA who gave us a Talk on Business and the business relationship between the two countries, Dumile Cele, CEO of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry also spoke to us on the understanding of economics on business and the way forward. We also heard from Ashok Sewnarain, the founder of International Bank Vaults, on successful business principles and how to make and manage money.

4.I'm sure you must be having many female fans. How do you cope with the attention you receive from female admirers? Are you single or in a relationship?

It takes me aback sometimes but I think I’ve learnt to handle it well. I am currently single with not much time for a relationship, at this stage it is vital to be more career driven.

5.What has been your most memorable experience in your life thus far?

There have been many memorable experiences but one of the most memorable experiences was the exuberant memory of winning the Mr India South Africa Competition. I was so elated and excited I could hardly breathe. Ever since then and leaving Corporate, my life has changed significantly. This
experience has been a catalyst to do what I love.

6. If you could be granted one wish and have any skill or talent in the world, what would it be?

I would wish for a world with great leadership that acts in the best interests of its people. If I could have one skill, as unrealistic as this may be, I would most like the ability to teleport, so I could avoid the long travel times and do more with the time I have.

7. What are your favourite websites?
www.imdb.com, www.privateproperty.co.za, www.sharenet.co.za, www.google.com

8. Myth or fact - A good looking individual has a better advantage of achieving success in life.

Myth, good looks can fade over time, however hard & smart work combined with potential, luck and opportunity, can achieve great success in life. However, being blessed with good looks does make the journey a bit easier.

9. Define success. What does success mean to you?

I believe success is not actually measured by power, titles or qualifications. For me, success is when you are able to achieve your goals and dreams while doing what is right even when the world compromises with the wrong. Success is being able to have known the way, gone the way and then shown the way.

10. I read somewhere that you are a fitness fanatic. How many times a week do you train. Can you define yourself as being a metrosexual man who loves pampering himself with regular spa visits and facials?

I train at least 5 to 6 times a week to be in great shape both mentally and physically. I do really enjoy taking care of myself, it helps me to relax after a hectic working week.

11. As a model, are you brand conscious or can you wear any clothing as long as it looks good on you?

I would wear a brand for the quality and fit the clothing represents. I appreciate brands however an item that looks good does not necessarily need to be a branded item.

12. Give me your opinion on plastic surgery or aesthetic medicine?

I believe in beauty in the world and appreciate things the way nature intended. Natural beauty is Gorgeous however I respect the use of Plastic surgery when required.

13. Where do you see yourself five years from now? What are your plans for the future?

My plan is to become a global actor starting with Bollywood. I plan to be the Best Mr India South Africa I can be during my reign by fully using my title to further my ambitions as a young man. I see myself as a successful model, actor, investor and leader who empowers both myself and others, especially the underprivileged. I would like to be recognized by my home city of Durban for playing my part in making it one of the Greatest cities in the world. I see myself as a role model who hopes to inspire people all across the world from my characters as an actor in inspirational, romantic and charming movies.

14. What advice do you have for young aspiring models and actors out there?

Be perseverant. Don’t take no for an answer and follow your dreams. Remember it’s about both your skill and the people you know. A key part of your success will be your hunger to succeed and how hard you work to get there. Believe in yourself and align your daily tasks to your long term goals.


Once again, thank you Razeen for taking the time to answer these questions. Desert Moon
wishes you all the best in your future endeavours and beyond.

I Am a Muslim. Period.

                                               

Over the past few days I have met some really amazing human beings who are absolutely selfless, doing fantastic work within their communities without actually receiving any recognition for it. I met a Scottish couple at Milpark hospital and they told me that they came to South Africa when they were around 19 years old. They came to this country because they were huge Ernie Els fans. They fostered a child and last year she got married. It was supposedly the happiest day of their life. This couple is very much involved with the church. They co-ordinate Bible study classes for orphaned kids and assist in terms of taking kids off the streets and placing them into schools. Everyday they feed 250 orphaned HIV positive kids in an informal settlement near their place of residence when they return from school. The funding is acquired from their immediate family members residing in Scotland. Despite the fact that the wife suffers from scleroderma, a rare autoimmune rheumatic disease, she is adamant that life is about living and giving. She says that even if you have sickness, you need to be positive. In her own words, " There is plenty of time to sleep when we go six feet deep. If each one of us helped at least 2 people, it will cause a ripple effect and eventually everyone will be able to lead a better life."

Yesterday I met another remarkable woman who is also involved with a church charity organization. Every week, they hand out goody bags to the poor in the community. In January, she was on a charity drive and whilst walking the streets of Randburg, she came across 2 boys who were huddled together in a street corner. She went up to them and started chatting to them. She told me that she had an instant connection with them. After chatting to them for a while, she realized that they were heroin addicts residing in a cardboard box structure on the streets. She went home that night and was unable to sleep. She kept on thinking that whilst she is enjoying the comfort of a bed, the young boys she met were sleeping on the streets. The next morning she jumped into her car in search of the boys. She took them home with her. Over the next few days, she took them for a full medical check up. She is now in the process of trying to get them off their heroin addiction. The problem she has is finances. Rehabilitation centres are costly and she does not have the funds to assist both the boys. If there is anyone out there who knows of a good rehabilitation centre at a minimal fee kindly inbox me. As a matter of interest I am wondering, do any of the government hospitals have a free rehabilitation centre?

I love meeting such inspiring people who find satisfaction and happiness through helping others. On the other hand I am livid and disgusted at some of the Muslim people within our own communities. Last weekend my family and I attended the Saaberie Chishty annual fundraising event. It was an absolutely well put together fun filled event for a very good purpose. However, during the cause of the week I received inbox messages stating, " Are you not a tableeghi? How can you attend the event of Bidatis. They not Muslims. They do not follow Islam properly."

Naturally, I did not respond to any of the messages out of sheer disgust. I have no time to waste by responding to ignorant fools.I mean, who are we to judge another human being. I am a Muslim. I am very proud of my culture and religion. My Islam is very simple. I follow the five pillars of my religion as best as I possibly can. My religion teaches me to assist anyone irrespective of race, colour or creed. I hate it when people use religion to divide people. These people who spread hatred and who claim to love the Prophet Muhammed (saw) are actually very very far in terms of his teachings towards humanity. The Prophet (saw) was kind and sincere even towards his enemies. To those of you who messaged me stating absolute rubbish, please do yourself a favour, instead of wasting your time and energy texting me, kindly refrain from messaging me at all.