Gaurav Khanna is the chosen lucky one finally, to play the important role of Anuj Kapadia in the numero-uno show on GEC, Anupamaa, which airs on Star Plus. The show produced by Rajan Shahi’s Director’s Kut has got into a very important phase of storytelling wherein the character of Anuj holds huge prominence in the life and future of the protagonist, Anupamaa (Rupali Ganguly).
Gaurav who has been there, done all kinds of roles, sees this particular role as a big challenge!! He is doubly pleased to be working with a dream creator, like Rajan Shahi.
He is all excited about the role and gets into an exclusive conversation with IWMBuzz.com.
Excerpts:
Back after a hiatus on TV. How does it feel?
I was not away at all, as I was doing different sorts of work for different platforms. Yes, due to Covid-19, things were slow at work. But now, things are slowly picking up. I have been working for different channels on TV at different time spans. Recently, I shot for a web series that is now complete and ready for release soon. Coming back on TV, after such a long time, that too with such a big show, is a blessing. With the support of my own fans, I have bagged this role, and I owe this one to them.
How did you bag the role in Anupamaa?
First of all, I got a call from Rajan Shahi’s production house. The moment I got the call, I was interested in playing the character. I have always wanted to work with Rajan Shahi, for the last 15 years now. Back in the day, I was finalized to play the lead in a show he was to direct. All was set but for certain reasons, I could not do the show. Ever since I missed that show, I had this in my heart that I had to work with him. Whenever I used to meet him, I used to tell him that I wanted to work with him. He used to say that the feeling is vice-versa. Now, the stars are finally lined up. It’s going in the right direction. I have my fingers crossed.
How excited are you to have bagged the role which was in the headlines and much talked about even before the entry?
A role like Anuj Kapadia is every actor’s dream. Even before the role started, it was so talked about. It is very heartening to know that I am playing a role that was in the headlines. Apart from that, Anupamaa being the #1 show, with such wonderful actors, I take this opportunity to work with such senior actors and learn from them and enhance my skills. So I am pretty excited.
Tell us about Anuj Kapadia?
Talking about Anuj Kapadia and what he will be like, I would say that people who know me, that is Gaurav in real life, will definitely catch uncanny similarities in the character and me. I personally felt when I heard the role that I was too similar to this character in uncanny ways. So it got me more excited to play it. I am enjoying the process of portraying Anuj onscreen. I always believe that if an actor loves what he is doing, it always transcends, and even the viewers will love it. God willing, that is going to happen, and I am pretty sure.
How will the chemistry be between Anuj, Anupamaa and Devika?
The chemistry between Devika, Anuj and Anupamaa is going to be very normal, the way in which friends react when they meet after so many years. Devika and Anuj will be shown to have been in touch. But with Anupamaa, Anuj meets her after a long time. People are going to remember their old college days and relate to the wonderful dialogues which I have been given in the show.
How big is this opportunity for you as an actor?
Of course, this opportunity is really big for me as an actor because firstly, I am working with one of my dream creators. I have a list of people with whom I always wanted to work with. Rajan Shahi is right up there. So I am very happy. Another high to playing Anuj Kapadia is that I relate to the character in too many ways. I feel in very similar ways, like how the character Anuj would feel.
You have played the lover boy roles really well. How would you describe this character? Will it be a change?
Yes, I have been part of a lot of romance on television, a lot of lover boy roles. But this character is very different. Of course, from the periphery and from the outside, you will feel that he is a lover boy. But from the inside, he is very mature, a go-getter in certain ways. He does not show if he does not like anything. He is very chilled out about even the most major decisions in life. So in simple words, he is a lover boy from the outside but is a deep thinker from within. He is someone whom every woman would want in their life, correction, not only a woman but anyone, as a guide, friend etc.
What kept you busy for the last few years?
I have been working non-stop. Everyone knows that I am a workaholic. I recently shot for my first web series. It is going to be out soon. It got a little delayed owing to the Covid phase. I have been doing television commercials ever since I started. So that’s how I have kept myself busy.
What are your expectations from the role?
My expectations are pretty high from this character. I personally love Anuj’s character and the way he is going to be with Anupamaa. He is such a wonderful character, who feels that Anupamaa should be taken care of, given credit for things she has done in life. I am a feminist that way, in real life. I believe that one should give credit where it is due. Creators are creating this character in a beautiful way; the dialogue writers are doing a fabulous job. My directors really helped me to shape up this character in the best possible way. So all fingers crossed. Looking up in the sky, and waiting for the love I am going to get from viewers.
