Taxman by day, actor by passion, MP taxman eyes shooting glory

Bhopal: Undeterred after a debilitating spinal injury left him in a wheelchair for months, Sohan Singh, a 33-year-old Income Tax dept employee, turned adversity into a stepping stone for realising his pistol-shooting ambition.Sitting in a wheelchair after suffering a potential life-changing injury in a bodybuilding accident, Sohan spent hours watching shooting events on television, firming up his resolve to chase national glory in the spot once he recovered.That was three months ago. Today, the state-level silver medalist is ready to shine at the 24th Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial (KSSM) Shooting Competition in New Delhi, balancing a grueling job with self-funded training—with little or no hope of grabbing a sports quota or a special leave for training.“I paid EMIs for my pistol while the injury tried to ground me,” Sohan told TOI, his voice steady. “But shooting opened up new, uncharted skies for me.”However, there’s another side to the 33-year-old taxman that rivals his skilled finger on the trigger.A seasoned actor with credits in South Indian films, Bollywood flicks, documentaries and TV serials, Sohan wears many hats as he juggles intense roles with his job and time at the shooting range.He has many big and small-screen on the pipeline, even as he zeroes in on his shooting targets.In a heartbreak at last year’s national championship, Sohan tied the winner’s score but missed bronze by one agonising point on the final shot. “The disappointment of the national championship fuels my quest now,” the taxman said, eyes fixed on redemption at the upcoming nationals.Fellow competitors raved about his shooting skills and form going into the nationals. “Sohan’s precision inspires us all,” said a rival at KSSM where he’s sharpening his skills ahead of the upcoming event.His dual life—taxman by day and an actor and sharpshooter by passion—embodies resilience. “If I can handle films, taxes, and that accident, the Olympics are next,” he broke off, exuding optimism.