Anupamaa producer Rajan Shahi was warned not to cast Gaurav Khanna as Anuj Kapadia, he was ‘jinxed’: ‘He had not done a serial for 6-7 years’
In an exclusive interview, Rajan Shahi revealed how he took a leap of faith on Gaurav Khanna and cast him in Anupamaa despite his previous TV shows not working.
Actor Gaurav Khanna is currently seen as a contestant on Bigg Boss 19. The actor started his acting career in 2004 and went on to star in some popular TV shows. While Gaurav was known to play romantic characters on screen, his stint with Anupamaa proved to be a game-changer for his career as well as the show. Recently, in an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Anupamaa’s producer Rajan Shahi revealed that he was advised against casting Gaurav Khanna opposite Rupali Ganguly on the show.
Talking about casting Gaurav Khanna in Anupamaa, Rajan Shahi said, “When I was looking to cast Anuj, I kept looking in the industry, but couldn’t find a suitable face. That time, my daughter was flying to New York for a course, and I was going to drop her off. She could fly directly, but I had to make a stopover for quarantine in Serbia. Throughout, I kept thinking who to cast as Anuj, and suddenly I came across Gaurav’s profile. I remembered how Gaurav Khanna had been contacting me over the years, and I thought he was perfect for the role.”
Rajan further shared, “A lot of people, including some celebrities, told me that Gaurav’s shows didn’t work; he is jinxed. And I hate when someone says that. I have heard these things about me in the beginning, so it makes me furious. Everything has its own synergy and fate; one person cannot be responsible for determining that.”
Despite the advice, Rajan Shahi went ahead to cast Gaurav Khanna in Anupamaa. “I asked my team to contact Gaurav Khanna, who was shooting for a web series at that time. I had locked Gaurav right then, but I told him that I would test if he works out and then do a three-year contract. Sometimes he says he just had a cameo in the show. If that was the case, why would I sign a three-year contract with him? But I had told him that I couldn’t guarantee how long he would be on the show because that depends on the track. After we spoke, he gave a look test, and I narrated the script to him two days before the shoot. I never took his audition; in fact, I told him the story while I was at the immigration counter at the Serbia airport. We discussed the money and everything while I was in transit. I met him in person three months after he began shooting.”
Rajan Shahi also lauded Gaurav Khanna for making his character Anuj Kapadia a hit amongst the audience. He said, “There was a lot of confidence in Anuj’s character. By the time Gaurav joined, Rupali had taken Anupamaa to greater heights. But Gaurav had that hunger to prove himself; he hadn’t done a serial for 6-7 years, so he gave the show his best.”
After Anupmaaa, Gaurav Khanna went on to participate in Celebrity MasterChef, and he won the show. Now, he is on Bigg Boss 19 and is also the highest-paid contestant on the show.
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
Experience & Career
Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:
The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:
Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.
Authoritativeness & Trust
With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More
Rajan Shahi on casting Gaurav Khanna as Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa (Photos: Rajan Shahi / Instagram)