Gaurav Khanna holds a special place in the hearts of television audiences. He became a household name after portraying Anuj Kapadia in the hit show Anupamaa. His dialogues, expressions, and on-screen charm won him immense love. Even after his exit from the show, his fans continue to cherish his performance. The actor’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Beyond acting, he surprised many by showcasing his culinary talent and emerging as the first-ever Celebrity MasterChef. But what most people don’t know is that acting was never part of his original plan.
In a candid chat with Siddharth Kannan, Gaurav opened up about his early days and the unexpected turn his life took. Gaurav recalled how he initially moved to Bombay with entirely different goals. His focus was on academics, not entertainment. He arrived in the city to pursue an MBA and completed a two-year course. Soon after, he secured a job in his field and settled into professional life.
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Back then, Gaurav lived in Versova. Being in the heart of Mumbai’s creative hub, many assumed he was a struggling model. Friends and acquaintances often mistook his tall frame and striking looks for those of someone chasing a break in films or television. Little did he know that destiny had its own plans.
One rainy day changed everything for him. Gaurav shared that he accompanied a friend to an audition, purely as support. As the skies opened up, he sought shelter inside the audition venue while waiting. It was then that the people conducting the audition noticed him and casually invited him to give it a try. He remembered saying, “Unhone kahan audition dedo, meine kahan mujhe audition toh aata nahi. Unhone kahan profile dedo, meine kahan vo toh mein laya nahi. Mujhe pata hi nahi iss industry ke jargons kya hai.”
Despite having no experience or even a basic understanding of how auditions worked, something clicked. He decided to give it a shot. Surprisingly, Gaurav cracked the audition and landed his first advertisement. That project paid him ₹20,000, a sum that brought him immense joy at the time. It wasn’t about the money alone but the thrill of doing something entirely unplanned.
Looking back, Gaurav believes it was fate that placed him on this path. “Mumbai is city of dreams, and dreams were fulfilled and how,” he expressed with gratitude. His journey from a management graduate to a beloved television star is a testament to how unpredictable and beautiful life can be.
Since then, Gaurav has become a respected name in the acting world. His stint in Anupamaa made him a household favorite. Viewers admired his graceful portrayal of Anuj Kapadia, a character marked by kindness, maturity, and quiet strength. Beyond acting, his participation and victory in Celebrity MasterChef surprised many.
