Exclusive: Gaurav Khanna: Having a co-star like Rupali lifts my performance too

Gaurav Khanna/PR image

Gaurav Khanna recently entered Star Plus's ‘Anupamaa' as Anuj Kapadia and has been receiving a lot of love from fans as the show continues to top the charts and trend over social media. Gaurav plays Anupamaa's (Rupali Ganguly) former classmate and now business partner.

Your recent entry in Anupamaa has created a lot of buzz…

That feels really nice as an actor because I've been doing television for a while but the love and appreciation I received within two weeks of entering the show has been humbling. I can only thank the Almighty for giving me this lovely role, the response has been immense.

What was it that attracted you to the character of Anuj?

When the character was narrated by my producer Rajan Shahi, I realized the character has uncanny similarities to me. The way Anuj reacts to situations and potrays himself is something I do too so I was interested in playing a character so close to the real me.

How was your look planned?

The creative team of the show is very supportive of my ideas. Like I said I have some uncanny similarities with Anuj, so I like wearing suits and that too in a certain way. They were very receptive of my ideas. I have modeled for suitings and shirtings in the past so I had that look in mind. The glasses were a unanimous decision.

Was Anupamaa a show you had already been watching?

I was working on another show so I didn't have the time but my family has been ardent followers. My mother was extremely happy when she got to know I might be joining the show. She was the one who forced me to take it up saying I suit the role.

What is your rapport with co-stars like Rupali Ganguly and others?

I have shot the most with Rupali. Deepakji plays my caretaker and confidante on the show. Both are very experienced actors and extremely supportive. Rupali was already a big name since Anupamaa has been topping the charts, we all know she is a fabulous actor. With a co-star like her it lifts my performance too because she understands my impromptu actions and expressions. This has helped me to play Anuj the way I'm doing it and I'm happy people are liking the subtle nuances. If I didn't have wonderful co-stars my performance would have fallen flat.

Are there any roles on genres on your bucket list?

I have been around since 2005 and I had certain producers, directors and creative teams I wanted to work with. Rajan Shahi had always been on the top bracket of my list. Every time I bumped into him at awards show we both wanted to work together but our dates and times never matched. I was lucky things worked out this time around. He is a magician and had always told me I want to use your talent in a way that the audiences haven't seen you yet. He was right and it shows in the audiences love.

What is happening with your web series?

I had been shooting an OTT project since the past year and it is completed now. It should be releasing anytime now. I play a musician, a young boy next door character. I'm sure people will love it.

Is music something you are passionate about in real life as well?

I had to learn for the character because I don't have a musical bone in me. That's the life of an actor we get to play different lives.

Any plans to get into the movies?

I haven't really tried although most of my friends are doing films and doing well for themselves. I've been the guy who will take up work if I'm convinced about the role, no matter what the platform is.

Who are the co-stars you are closest to?

I have a tight bunch of friends and I've always maintained you don't have to meet your real friends everyday, whenever we meet we catch up from where we had left off. I'm close to my friends from my first show which was Kumkum- Hussain (Kuwajerwala) and Vivaan (Bhatena). Anuj Sachdev is another close friends, I love hanging out with these guys.