Television actor Gaurav Khanna, known for his portrayal of Anuj Kapadia in the hit show Anupamaa, has addressed the long-standing speculation about his relationship with co-star Rupali Ganguly. In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Gaurav opened up about the professional dynamic he shared with the show’s leading actress, and clarified rumours of personal tension between them.
While Gaurav was quick to praise Rupali’s talent and contribution to the show, he was clear about the boundaries of their off-screen rapport. “Main Rupali ko friend nahi bolunga (I won’t call Rupali a friend),” he said, adding, “Rupali is a wonderful human being from whom I’ve learnt a lot.”
Gaurav explained that while there was mutual respect, they didn’t share a personal friendship. “A friend is someone you can call anytime and share things with — I’m not on those terms with anyone, not even Sudhanshu,” he said, referring to former co-star Sudhanshu Pandey.
Addressing the rumours of conflict on set, Gaurav admitted to creative differences but downplayed any serious rift. “Altercations hote the scenes ko leke (There used to be altercations about scenes), because everyone has their own interpretation,” he explained. “She’s the lead, the face of the show. If I insisted on doing scenes my way, that would be wrong — and I never did that.”
He also acknowledged the weight Rupali carried as the central character, noting her seniority and dedication to the role. Gaurav expressed admiration for her work ethic and performance, despite not being personally close.
Talking about Sudhanshu Pandey, another former cast member of Anupamaa, Gaurav shared warm sentiments. “He’s very talented. I used to tell him, ‘Don’t ever quit singing.’ I’m glad he’s coming out with more music now.”
Anupamaa, which airs on Star Plus, is a Hindi adaptation of the Bengali series Sreemoyee. It stars Rupali Ganguly in the titular role. The show has seen several cast changes since its debut, with Gaurav Khanna, Sudhanshu Pandey, and Madalsa Sharma exiting. As of October 2024, the show features Adrija Roy and Shivam Khajuria in prominent second-generation roles.
Despite ongoing rumours and cast reshuffles, Anupamaa continues to enjoy strong viewership and remains a beloved part of Indian television.
Sources By Agencies
