GOOD TIMES WID GAURI

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Sanober

@sanober.

Elite

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Posted: 19 years ago

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< Next > A lady with panache. One of the prettiest faces on Indian television. She is also a big hit with the viewers. Television actress Gauri Pradhan, who essays the role of Nandini in the ever-popular soap Kyunki... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi..., was recently nominated for the MTV Lycra Style Awards in the category Most Stylish Person on TV (Female). You would have also seen her in the popular serial Kutumb, where she co-starred with her husband, actor Hiten Tejwani [who now plays Karan in Kyunki... and Samay in Kkoi Dil Mein Hai].

She shares her life, her loves, her relationship with her husband and more with Get Ahead.

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I am a Pune girl. My dad was in the Army and I was born in Kashmir. As a child, I travelled all over the country. After Dad retired, we settled in Pune. I studied in S P College and came to Mumbai in 1998 to participate in the Miss India contest. I did a lot of ramp shows and television commercials like Sprite, Bru, Dabur, Ponds, Santoor, Colgate, Philips and Breeze. I didn't enjoy the ramp much, but I enjoyed doing commercials. I made a lot of friends in Mumbai. Not many know I made my acting debut with the television serial Noorjehan. I had not thought about becoming an actor, but when Cinevista offered me the lead role in Noorjehan, I decided to give it a shot. Before the shoot, I had to go through rigorous classes in Urdu diction, acting and horse-riding! It was an unforgettable experience.

Balaji Telefilms' Kutumb (2001) made me a household name.

The serial was different from all the others that were airing on television at the time. The story of a couple who hate each other's guts but still end marrying to each other intrigued everyone.

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< Back > < Next > Not love at first sight I met Hiten [her husband and co-star in both Kutumb and Kyunki...] four years ago in Hyderabad. We were on location for the shoot of the Breeze ad film. It was such a hectic two-day schedule that we barely exchanged a couple of sentences with each other. But Destiny had other plans. A few months later, we met again on the sets of Kutumb [see image]. Again, I was completely wrapped up in my work and the rigours of shooting for a daily soap. The work was exhausting and the cast humungous. The Kutumb sets weren't exactly the perfect setting for a love match. Still, it happened. Love took me completely by surprise. One moment, Hiten and I were simply friends and the next we were madly in love! Our courtship went on for two years. During this time, I got to know him really well. The phrase 'nice guy' fits him to a T. He is a very caring and kind person. These were the qualities attracted me to him the most. Like me, success hasn't changed him. He still remembers his roots.

We were married in May (2004) in a simple ceremony in Pune. This was followed by a small do in Mumbai, attended by close friends and family.

My parents are extremely happy. They have always wanted to see me well-settled.

Hiten and I recently celebrated our first Diwali after marriage.

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Married for a year! Hiten and I recently celebrated our first Diwali after marriage. We had a family get-together in Pune. It was the first time after our marriage that both families met up. It was wonderful and relaxing. Marriage calms you down -- it has calmed me. I was pretty short-tempered earlier, but marriage has had a soothing effect on me. Hiten and I knew each other really well before we tied the knot, so there haven't been any surprises or shocks after marriage. Working together on the same show also helps -- we are not only partners in rhyme, but also partners-in-crime! After marriage, it was weird initially -- going to work together, shooting the whole day and coming back home together! Since both of us are pretty chilled-out people, the lack of space is not an issue. We are constantly shooting for our serial and barely get time for other activities. But we have a very strong support system -- our families. They are there with us and for us whenever we need them. Since the popularity of Kyunki... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi... is increasing, fans surround us when we go out. We do experience a certain lack of privacy. I feel it all depends on the individual and how you handle the situation. We don't get too bothered by all this. We make time for cozy dinners or catch a film at the nearest multiplex. We don't want to miss out on the small pleasures of life. That's what keeps us grounded. The biggest relationship tip I can offer is: Don't judge your partner. We don't judge our parents, siblings or close friends. But in a man-woman relationship, this [judgements] always crops up.

Accept the person for what he or she is. As you go along, adjustments will happen.

Travelling gives me a buzz I really enjoy travelling. One of my favourite getaways is Goa. I head there every New Year's with close friends. Other cities that give me a buzz are New York, London and Singapore. There is no place like New York! I love shopping there and also catching up on Broadway. I would love to travel more in India; I am looking forward to visiting Ladakh and Kerala.

My style is simple I think elegance speaks for itself. I would say my style is simple, yet classic. On most occasions, I wear jeans and tee shirts. I also wear a lot of spaghetti straps, tubes and halters. On formal occasions, you will find me in knee-length skirts and dresses. I also have a lot of saris and love Chikankari work. My colours are orange, yellow, white and black. And yes, I have a shoe fetish -- I have tons of shoes! I pick up most of my clothes on my trips abroad. In Mumbai, my haunts are Mango (at Crossroads) for party wear, INC 5 (Lokhandwala) for shoes and Beauty Centre (Bandra) for cosmetics. I am not too fond of jewellery but I like watches. My favourite brands are Fossil, Armani and Guess.

Except a Mac lipstick and kaajal, I don't use any make-up when I am not shooting.