I wouldn't have been half the brand that I am today without India: Bravo

Chennai

Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo feelsthat India has given him exposure to be the brand he is currently. He addedthat the love from the people in India has resulted in the country becomingvery close to his heart. Apart from his cricketing career and music singles,Bravo is now going to start a fresh innings in fashion with 'Djb47 FashionLabel' available online with a physical store launch scheduled for early nextyear in India.

 "Very, veryspecial. I don't think I would have been half the brand that I am today withoutIndia. That's an honest truth and I am grateful for having a big presence in acountry that is so far away from my home. The love that I have received fromthe people over there means definitely India is very close to my heart. That'swhy most of the stuff that I do when it comes to music or clothing or cricket,anything that I do will always have an Indian presence," said Bravo in anexclusive chat with IANS, organised by 3 Big Dogs PTe Ltd and DNH Media.

 Talking about playingcricket in bio-bubble environment, Bravo admitted about its challenges butfocused to see the positive side.

 "For mepersonally, there have been moments where it's challenging and then to have themoments where one has to understand. I mean to say, despite the pandemic, a lotof people lost their jobs and some people lost their lives. We have to begrateful that I am still able to work, play, earn and entertain my fans aroundthe world. So, I always look on the positive and on the brighter side ofthings. That's how I deal with (bio-bubbles) in the pandemic."

 At the same time, the38-year-old hopes for the bio-bubble environment to be over shortly.  "As players, hopefully, it will end soon.Obviously, it will take a toll on players. You see a lot of players pull out oftournaments because of the bio-bubble. So, it kind of plays a part on youmentally. I think cricket authorities, may be, will look closely to see howlong they will maintain the bubble scenario. But at the same time, most playerswill always rather be in a bio-bubble and play than not play," Bravo toldIANS.

 For Bravo, balancinghis off-field ventures with on-field commitments is down to getting the peopleright in pursuit of his various passions.

 "Well, some ofit is managed and balanced, but some of it is managed by others. So, it is amatter of knowing what I want to do. Trying to get the right team and the rightpeople to believe in my passion and my dream and try to execute it. So, it'sour collective team effort, not only based on me.

 "Gettinginvolved in fashion is something that I always like dressing. Now to have myown brand and now to have people want to wear my own brand and stuff. So, it'sthe step in the right direction and something that I always visualise seeingthat and seeing myself as a brand that people want to associate themselveswith," said Bravo.

 "To see it as abrand, a trendy brand that attracts youth, kids and their parents to wearclothes made by DJ Bravo brand. Hopefully, it gets expanded not only in Indiabut in places like Australia, UK, the Caribbean and the US. That's the ultimategoal," concluded Bravo.