“Physical beauty is not everything”

not sure if this has been posted "Physical beauty is not everything" --Gaurav Gera

He's a very ordinary boy, a typical boy-next-door! Someone you wouldn't give a second glance at. That is his image in the Sony Entertainment Television's mega teleserial Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin! He is a male version of Jassi's character called Nandu, bespectacled, well-oiled, clumsy, a backpack and no attitude, is definitely something else once he sheds the pancake

But meet Gaurav Gera in real life and…you'll be blown away. He is as trendy and hip as they come, a far cry from the bumbling endearing simpleton he portrays in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. One look at him and you rub your eyes in disbelief! "Who always dreamt of becoming an actor but never dared to put his best foot forward."

Born in Haryana, Gaurav comes from an elite family. His father owns an engineering firm. His brother is a software engineer in United States. As for Gaurav he holds a degree in garment fashion designing. He was employed as a production manager in a reputed garment design factory in Delhi when he bid goodbye to his flourishing career in pursuit of his dreams in Bollywood.

But life is never a bed of roses; his initial years in Mumbai were tough. Recollecting his early days Gaurav says, "I landed in Mumbai in 1998 armed with theatre experience and a solo advertising film to my credit. I felt it was enough to make an entry. But that was not to be. Life was tough. To survive I joined a musical group that paid me a modest two thousand rupees per month which sufficed for my daily meals and lodging. I shared my one-room flat with two friends after being shunted out from a relative's apartment."

Danced his way into the chorus in Ram Gopal Varma's Mast telling his choreographer friend not to photograph him! And he danced for musicals like The Man of La Mancha and many of Suneeta Rao's live shows. He gradually got offers for commercials and became a known face in ads like Nestle Munch, Bajaj M-80, Fair & Lovely among many others.

In 2000, after a two-year struggle, eminent T.V. serial makers Tony and Diya of Just Mohabbat fame selected him to play the lead in their Star Plus Serial Life Nahi Hai Laddoo. The serial completed about 39 episodes and Gaurav as 'Laddoo' was being appreciated when unfortunately Star Plus abruptly discontinued the serial replacing it with Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki. Thus ended the short-lived success story of Gaurav Gera.

After Life Nahi Hai Laddoo, Gaurav did many tit-bit roles including a film role. His Lady Luck wasn't too kind to him even when he did Love Mein Kabhi Kabhi (by Tony and Deeya Singh) and Sanskriti. The shows were withdrawn, the former after just five episodes, the latter midway after a year. He appeared in the Amitabh Bachchan movie Kyon Ho Gaya Na. Yet, the kind of fame Gaurav expected eluded him. "But I was so disappointed with the slow-pacing life that I was planning to pack my bags and return to Delhi", smiles Gaurav.

But fate smiled at him again, Tony and Diya who came to his rescue as they were planning Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi and called him to play the role of Nandu, and today he is recognized more by Nandu, than Gaurav. When questioned about love whether he would go for a physical beauty he cuts the sentence in half way says, "Physical beauty is not everything. Everyone is not born beautiful, but what everyone possesses is the ability to build up a strong personality. If I am fond of someone, for me she is the most beautiful person on earth. Looks matter as far as the first meeting is concerned, but eventually it is the person beyond the look that matters. You need a clean heart, the determination to make it big despite the odds, and make a mark for yourself. In fact, one of my own cousins is not so attractive and yet she has built a business empire and is a pride to our family", reveals Gaurav.

He says he enjoys the role of Nandu and the artists are just like his family members. At the present situation Mona Singh (Jassi) is his best buddy. He learnt many things from his senior artists. Coming to his brand of comedy, Gaurav believes in situational pranks and dialogue punched humour. "Though it is difficult, unlike the slapsticks comedy, I enjoy", quips Gaurav. As for his favourite comedian, Gaurav selects Om Puri. Says he, "To keep a straight face and yet make people laugh, is a very difficult thing to do." Besides Jassi…. he is doing The Great Indian Comedy Show and has signed a movie as well. He is very natural as far as comedy is concerned, "Well, I love lighter moments. In real life you don't have people crying everyday over trivial issues — drama exists only in the soaps. Who has so much of time in life? I chose to do this show, because I get to do so many roles within the boundaries of one show. It's amazing. Also, working with theatre actors is a great treat!" (Laughs)