Gaurav Khanna is enjoying a wave of appreciation after winning Celebrity MasterChef. His victory in the kitchen has added a new layer to his already beloved image. Before winning hearts with his cooking, he was known as Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa, a character that earned him deep admiration and the title of a “green flag” from fans. Even now, many still miss him in that role.
Recently Gaurav opened up about the beginning of his journey in Anupamaa. He shared a lesser-known truth that casting him as Anuj wasn’t a widely accepted decision at the time. According to him, the producer Rajan Shahi was advised by many to go with a more popular name from the industry. They felt his show needed a bigger face.
Gaurav admitted that he had two goals in mind when he took on the role. “I wanted to prove to myself that I can do it. Secondly, I wanted to prove it to Rajan sir because he had faith in me,” he said.
He said Rajan Shahi was the only person who stood firm on casting him. That meant the world to Gaurav. He took it as a responsibility. He gave his all to the character. “So my aim was to show gratitude to my producer for his faith. I gave my 200%,” he said with pride.
His dedication went beyond just showing up and acting. Gaurav paid close attention to every element of his character. From Anuj’s coats and sunglasses to his overall look, he handled the details himself. In fact, many of the items used on-screen came from his own wardrobe. He even messaged Rajan Shahi at odd hours just to talk about how the character should come across.
He appreciated the creative freedom given to him. Rajan Shahi supported his choices and asked the team to let Gaurav design his role in his own way. The trust from the producer gave Gaurav the space he needed to bring Anuj Kapadia to life. That effort didn’t go unnoticed. Gaurav mentioned that Rajan once said in an interview, “This boy has given his life to the show.” That sentence stayed with him. It made everything feel worth it.
When asked about his exit from Anupamaa, Gaurav addressed the rumors of a fallout with co-star Rupali Ganguly. He firmly denied any such issues. He explained that anyone playing Anuj wouldn’t leave midway for personal reasons. It just wasn’t that kind of role.
He went on to say that Anuj Kapadia wasn’t written off completely. “Anuj Kapadia, for me, is a comma; there’s no fullstop,” he shared. He added that the character didn’t die; he just didn’t fit into the current story arc. That’s how Indian television works, characters return when the story allows. He made it clear that while there’s no plan right now, “never say never.” He admitted that the show has taken a different turn but hinted that a comeback could happen when the time feels right.
From delivering powerful performances on-screen to winning a cooking reality show, Gaurav Khanna has shown that passion, discipline, and heart can take you anywhere.