When television star Gaurav Khanna decided to step into the Bigg Boss 19 house, many of his fans were left surprised. Known for his steady career on TV and his charming “boy-next-door” image, the actor is now ready to test himself in a space that is as unpredictable as it gets.
Talking about his decision, Gaurav told the SCREEN that even after years in the industry, he still feels like a newcomer whenever he starts something fresh.
“That excitement, those butterflies… they are still there. I think that’s what drives me. ‘Bigg Boss’ is huge, and it’s unlike anything I have done before. People kept asking me, ‘Why now?’ But honestly, I have always tried to think differently. I was an MBA in marketing, working at an IT firm, and then I left all that behind to become an actor. For me, taking risks has always been a part of life,” he shared.
Gaurav Khanna in Bigg Boss 19
For Gaurav, joining the Salman Khan-hosted reality show is not just about fame or exposure. He explained that this time he is doing it purely for himself. “I want to challenge myself, to see who I become after this journey. That’s the reason I said yes,” he said.
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Interestingly, this was not the first time the actor was approached by the makers. “I’ve been getting offers for years. But every time, I was busy with another project, and the show requires a lot of time. This year, for the first time, my schedule allowed it. I was traveling to my hometown when the team called. We spoke, and it just felt right,” he recalled.
The actor also admitted that he didn’t need to audition for the show, but that didn’t mean the decision was without doubts.
“Of course, I was nervous. And imagine, meeting Salman Khan for the first time! As a kid growing up in Kanpur, I had his posters all over my walls. He was my hero. So yes, I had cold feet before meeting him,” Gaurav laughed.
While many contestants walk into “Bigg Boss” worried about how they will be shown on screen, Gaurav seems to be taking things lightly.
“I didn’t put any conditions before entering. Later, I heard that many people do that, asking not to be portrayed in a certain way. But for me, whatever the cameras capture is just me. I have nothing to hide. If they show me angry, funny, sad, that’s still me. Why should I worry?”
For fans, this marks a new chapter in Gaurav Khanna’s journey.