Introduction

Gaurav Khanna is an Indian television actor known for his versatile roles in popular serials like CID and Anupamaa. With an MBA in hand, he transitioned from modeling and commercials to acting. Recently, he won Celebrity MasterChef India (2025) and is a contestant on Bigg Boss 19. He is also married and respected for his commitment to his craft.

Quick Facts

Family Background

Gaurav Khanna comes from a family in Kanpur. His father is in business (export), while his mother is a homemaker. He has an elder sister. His upbringing was reportedly modest, and he worked early in modeling, commercials and even in an IT firm before making acting his primary profession.

Education

Career + Career Timeline

Gaurav Khanna began his career in modelling and television commercials before making his acting debut in Bhabhi as Bhuvan Sareen. He gained fame through popular serials like Kumkum, Love Ne Mila Di Jodi, and Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam, showcasing his versatility. In 2008, he appeared in the dance reality show Jalwa Four 2 Ka 1 and later hosted Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan (2011), highlighting his multifaceted talent. After completing his MBA, Gaurav steadily rose through minor roles to prominent characters, with Anupamaa as Anuj Kapadia marking a turning point. He further expanded his profile by winning Celebrity MasterChef (2025) and joining Bigg Boss 19.

Bigg Boss 19 Journey 

• Participation & Theme: Bigg Boss 19, subtitled Gharwalon Ki Sarkaar, premiered on August 24, 2025. Gaurav Khanna entered as one of the celebrity contestants.

• Housemates / Co-contestants: He is among names like Awez Darbar, Ashnoor Kaur, Abhishek Bajaj, Nehal Chudasama, Baseer Ali, Kunickaa Sadanand, Pranit More, Tanya Mittal, and others who are contesting alongside him.

• “Children but wife doesn’t” Statement: Early in the season, Gaurav Khanna revealed in the house that he wants to have children, but his wife does not at present.

• Salman Khan’s “Cameo Actor” Comments & Weekend Ka Vaar: In a recent Weekend Ka Vaar episode, host Salman Khan called out Gaurav for being minimally visible in the show. Salman said, “400 minutes mein aap sirf 20 minutes nazar aaye ho” (“in 400 minutes you’ve only been seen for 20 minutes”), calling him a “cameo actor.” This was part of questioning his passive gameplay and lack of front-foot participation.

• Self-Reflection / Strategy: Gaurav responded in statements that he still feels like a “newcomer” when starting something new, that this show is “very big” and “very different.” He says people ask him why he’s doing Bigg Boss at this point in his career, noting that he came from a corporate background (MBA & IT firm) and took an unconventional path to acting. He considers doing the show “to challenge who I am and see what kind of person I come out as after the experience.”

• Interactions & Conflicts with Co-Contestants:

  Gaurav has faced criticism from Salman Khan and others for his limited involvement in tasks and house discussions. He has also supported or defended certain contestants during conflicts—for example, when Kunickaa made controversial statements, Gaurav occasionally spoke up or participated in conversations, though detailed reports of a fight with Kunickaa are not fully corroborated.

• Salman Khan’s Recent Criticism: Recently, Salman Khan criticized Gaurav directly, calling him a “cameo actor” and noting that while he observes other contestants, he does not take initiative or actively participate in tasks and discussions.

Controversies

Gaurav has largely maintained a clean reputation in the industry with few controversies. His recent disclosure about wanting children while his wife doesn’t sparked conversations, especially during his Bigg Boss 19 stint. Other rumors (replacement, exit from shows) appeared in media but were formally addressed or clarified.

Awards & Achievements

 

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Personal Life

Gaurav Khanna is married to television actress Akanksha Chamola, known for her role in Swaragini. Their love story began in a unique way — they first met at a television audition where Gaurav was not auditioning for himself but had accompanied someone else. During this time, they crossed paths and developed a fondness for each other.

Interestingly, actress Tejasswi Prakash, who worked with Akanksha on Swaragini, played an indirect role in strengthening their bond. She encouraged their friendship, often teasing them and making lighthearted comments about their growing chemistry, which helped the couple open up to each other more confidently. This support turned out to be a catalyst in their journey from strangers to life partners.

“The couple married in 2016, and today fans admire them as one of Indian television’s most grounded and elegant pairs.”

A lesser-known fact about Gaurav is that he suffers from color blindness, a condition that makes it difficult for him to distinguish between certain shades like red and green. While this could have been a hurdle in an industry that relies heavily on visual details, Gaurav adapted by relying on contrasts, textures, and creative cues. He has often shared that he never allowed this condition to limit his artistic expression, proving his resilience both personally and professionally.

Favourites

Net Worth

Car Collection

Lesser-Known Facts

• Gaurav once revealed he is colour-blind, a detail many fans did not know.

• He was working as a marketing manager in an IT firm before fully moving into acting.

• In Bigg Boss 19, he has shared stories of struggle: financial betrayal by friends in 2014, working across multiple sets, sometimes even sleeping in his car due to intense schedules.

• He often gains weight or adjusts appearance for roles (he gained weight and wore glasses for Anupamaa on advice).

Key Takeaways

Social Media Handles

Latest News

• In Bigg Boss 19, Gaurav Khanna opened up about wanting children, while his wife currently does not want them.

• Reports reveal Gaurav has experienced betrayal and financial loss from friends in 2014, and managed extremely busy schedules in earlier years.

• His status as contestant in Bigg Boss 19 comes following his recent victory on Celebrity MasterChef India (2025).

Conclusion

Gaurav Khanna has steadily persevered throughout his career. Armed with an MBA, he began as a manager and gradually rose through commercials and TV serials, achieving major milestones like his role in Anupamaa. He won Celebrity MasterChef, entered Bigg Boss 19, and balanced his personal life, becoming more than just a television actor — fans see him as a relatable star. Despite facing financial losses, harsh schedules, and personal sacrifices, he has maintained dignity, professionalism, and a devoted fan base.

FAQs

Q1: Who is Gaurav Khanna?
He is an Indian television actor known especially for roles like Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa, and Senior Inspector Kavin in CID.

Q2: When and where was he born?
He was born on 11 December 1981 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Q3: Is Gaurav Khanna married?
Yes, he married TV actress Akanksha Chamola in November 2016.

Q4: Does he have children?
As of 2025, no — he has publicly expressed wanting children, but his wife currently is not ready.

Q5: What education does he have?
He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Before acting, he even worked as a marketing manager.

Q6: What are some notable achievements?
Winning Celebrity MasterChef India (2025), acclaimed portrayal in Anupamaa, high recognition and pay in TV, being a contestant on Bigg Boss 19.