Throwback to when Gaurav Khanna recalled his first look test for Anupamaa, revealing how Anuj got his specs

Gaurav Khanna, known for his stellar performance in Star Plus' TRP-topping show Anupamaa, has added another feather to his cap by winning the title of the first Celebrity MasterChef India. From judges initially refusing to taste his first dish to ultimately winning the coveted title, Gaurav's journey on the show is truly inspirational for every 'Misfit.' While his victory is making headlines, let's take a moment to revisit when he made waves by leaving Anupamaa. In an exclusive interview with India Forums, Gaurav opened up about his first look test and responded to rumours surrounding his fallout with co-actor Rupali Ganguly.

Reflecting on his journey, Gaurav shares how time has flown by since his first look test for Anupamaa. He shares, "I don't even know where these three years went. Honestly, I still feel like I have to go for a look test tonight! I remember the day I went for my look test. I was told it was for a character who has grown-up kids. I was thinking about how I would look, because I was clean-shaven at the time. I was working on another show then, and I felt I might not look the part.

While driving, I kept wondering what I should do because I had to work on getting into this character. I really wanted to work with Rajan sir and DKP, so I had to make it work. That’s when it struck me—let me wear specs, let me add something that gives me a more mature look. It feels like all of this happened just yesterday, and now it has been nearly 1,000 episodes—something amazing and unheard of in television."

There have been rumours and news about your fallout with your co-star. How do you react to that now?

She's such a senior actor—I've learned so much from her. She has done films, plays, and so much more. What have I done? I've hardly done television. I've learned a lot from her; she's a brilliant actress.

I'm the last person to give retaliatory interviews or respond to rumours. Honestly, I don't know who spreads these rumours. Generally, people who are insecure or who have already lost you, or those who can't be where they want to be with you, are the ones who spread such things. I don't want to respond to any of it. I just want to talk about the work I've created with my co-actor—it has been really amazing. 

But when such news surfaced in the media, and you had to work with the same co-actor on set, how was the working environment?

Whenever I give interviews, they laugh because they know the kind of person I am. I love enjoying myself, and I like ensuring that people around me enjoy themselves, too. On set, I used to have fun banters. People would come to my room. My room was quite big and located at the end, so I felt lucky. I made it cosy, and everyone loved coming there. I had a sofa, a projector, music system and we even played PlayStation. The guys would come over, and it always felt like home. I even worked out there—Adhik, Rohit, Sagar, and others would join me for workouts.

Sudhanshu was a great singer on set. I remember listening to Band of Boys back in school in the '90s. He used to sing for us. Madalsa was just as fun-loving as I was. I used to tease her by mimicking Mithun Da because she was his daughter-in-law. Baa was such a funny character. She had a great sense of humour. She even brought food for me.

Asmi's mother used to send me food when Asmi was little. When Asmi grew up, Aura entered. She used to eat with me. The kids on set were fantastic. I even had a remote-controlled car, and all the little ones would get excited seeing my monster truck. I never cared about what people said. My job was to work. I get paid between "action" and "cut." The moment the director said "action," I became Anuj. The moment he said "cut," I stepped out of the role. Everything else was secondary.

I don't even know where these three years went. Honestly, I still feel like I have to go for a look test tonight! I remember the day I went for my look test. I was told it was for a character who has grown-up kids

- Gaurav Khanna

How do you react when people say, 'Ab aapka bhi number lag gaya,' especially since several actors have left the show, with some speculating that it's due to Rupali's behavior on set?

I honestly don't know whose PR is spreading this. If this were the case, the show wouldn't have worked. The people who left were experienced, and they must have had a valid reason to leave the show. However, one individual cannot make or break a show.

In television, people come and go all the time. But because Anupamaa is a long-running show, people notice these changes more. It's not just a show anymore—it has become a cult. Wherever I go, people ask me, "When is Anuj coming back?" I always had to stay tight-lipped because I was told to wait for a grand entry. But that didn't happen. The story went in a different direction. These are just rumours. I don't know what to say. 

Additionally, in Celebrity MasterChef India, Nikki Tamboli finished as the first runner-up, while Tejasswi Prakash secured the second runner-up position. From portraying Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa to becoming India’s first Celebrity MasterChef, Gaurav’s journey is truly an inspiration for us all.