Who is Gaurav Khanna from Bigg Boss 19?
Gaurav Khanna is, for lack of a better description, having a moment right now on Indian television, with his grand entry into the Bigg Boss 19 house being cheered across social media. If anyone thought reality TV was just a young person's sport, well, here comes Gaurav, seasoned, smiling, with an easy confidence built on years of television work and, recently, a victorious run on Celebrity MasterChef. It's strange to see someone who has embodied the dependable, thoughtful Anuj Kapadia in “Anupama” ready to get dramatic in a house full of egos, tasks, alliances, and late-night arguments over chores.
He’s not some flash-in-the-pan celebrity either. Gaurav Khanna’s career arc is oddly inspiring for anyone who ever toyed with the "corporate to creative" jump. The guy started with an MBA, worked as a marketing manager at a tech firm, and only later took a stab at acting—pretty gutsy, honestly. He debuted in "Bhabhi" back in 2006 and then picked up a steady string of roles: “Meri Doli Tere Angana,” “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai,” and, of course, “Anupama.” There’s a sense he’s always chosen to zig when others would zag, even now, entering Bigg Boss at a stage when most actors would coast on serials and endorsements.
At 43 years old (born December 11, 1980, in Kanpur), Gaurav hardly fits the stereotype of a reality TV wildcard. There’s a warmth to him—a steady charisma, and the sort of laugh that fills a studio space. Not especially tall or short, Gaurav’s five-foot-nine stature is paired with the sturdy reliability you’d expect from his screen roles. His parents, Vinod and Sakshi Khanna, are from Kanpur and, by all accounts, grounded folks. Gaurav’s spoken in interviews about growing up in an unassuming, supportive family, and about how it’s his parents’ faith in him that gave him the courage to leap into the unknown early on.
Oh, and about his wife: Gaurav married Akanksha Chamola back in 2016. They’re one of TV’s solid couples—think quiet anniversaries, not tabloid scandals. They live in Mumbai now, sharing a plush apartment and, from the sounds of it, enjoying the quieter joys of city life when not working. No kids, at least none he’s talked about to the press, but the couple seems deeply supportive—if Instagram is any indicator, Akanksha’s jokes about Gaurav’s “midnight snack” habits are the stuff of mild legend among fans.
But, let’s be honest, everyone always wants to know about the money. Gaurav’s not obsessed with it (he’s said as much, pointing out that Celebrity MasterChef and Bigg Boss are about new experiences for him, not the paycheck), but yes—he’s done well. Reports peg his net worth somewhere near ₹8 crore. That’s a healthy mix of serial appearances, a nice round sum from reality TV wins, brand endorsements (if you haven’t seen those shaving cream commercials, you’re missing out), and the ever-present, ever-glamorous Mumbai property boom. He’s got a snazzy Audi A6, a green Royal Enfield, and apparently surprised his wife recently with an SUV worth ₹21 lakhs—maybe a little “thank you” for all the support, or just a fun flex.
So, why Bigg Boss now? Gaurav says he’s doing it for himself, to push his boundaries, to find out what he’s really made of once the cameras are on and the social games begin. He wants to learn, he insists, maybe get a little roughed up emotionally, and come out the other side with better stories and a better sense of his own mettle. Fans hope he lasts, of course, and that the calm center he’s brought to dramatic serials translates well to Bigg Boss’s cyclone. What’s clear is that, whatever happens, Gaurav’s approach to the chaos is refreshingly honest—and that’s a rare thing on TV these days.
