Talented and good looking actor Manav Gohil, who is shooting in Amgaon (Maharashtra-Gujarat border) for his Colors show, Kesari Nandan, says the biggest challenge is staying away from his wife (Shweta Kawatra) and daughter for 20 odd days in a month.
“I was worried about not being there at a time when Zahra was growing up. I miss hugging and tucking her in for the night. Having said that, the fact that we only meet every sat has made our relationship stronger. I devote my entire off day to family, right from breakfast and playing kiddy wrestling. Many times, she sleeps in the car only, as it gets late coming back home from our outings. This kind of quality time is better for if we live together, we end up taking each other for granted. Here we plan our day throughout the week,” says Manav, who has done hit show like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kkusum, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, and Buddy Project.
So how do you spend your day in Amgoan after shoots? “Well, normally when I shoot in Mumbai and the clock strikes 8.30 (normal 9-9 shift), I start asking my director to let me go. But here I don’t, as there is no family to rush back to.”
“I shower, check out a Netflix movie, which I normally don’t finish as, being a morning person, end up crashing early. My daily phone call with Shweta is a very important end-of-the-day ritual. Sometimes, we actors also band together after shooting and chill for a bit.”
“One of the best things about Amgaon is the open spaces, unlike Mumbai, which is a concrete jungle. I love to peek out from my window and check out the mountains.”
Apart from Kesari Nandan, Manav is also shooting for Sab TV show, Tenali Rama. “Since Contiloe Entertainment produces both shows, the dates are easily manageable. I live in Goregaon (Mumbai suburb) and my Tenali Rama set is in Naigaon (Thane district), which is half the distance from home to Amgoan. So it is manageable to drive to work and back (1.5 hrs). Those living in Mumbai will know that even traveling within the city takes as much time.”
