Gaurav Gera: I thought my story might inspire someone

A career milestone often prompts reflection on where it all began. For Gaurav Gera, that moment came through a letter he wrote to his parents in 1998, shortly after moving from Delhi to Mumbai to pursue acting. The actor, who has been earning strong appreciation for his portrayal of Mohammad Aalam in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, recently shared the note, reflecting on his 28-year journey.

His caption read: "This letter to my parents - 3rd Dec 1998 ... less than a month after I moved to Mumbai ... this was 28 years ago ... so no emails, letters ... of course, after that, lots of TV, some films, ad films, musical plays, radio, TikTok, Reels ... it's been a lovely journey with ups and downs ... God has been kind ... but this Dhurandhar ... dunno what the future holds ... but I want to thank my 23-year-old self for staying hopeful and Ma Pa for endless support #DhurandharTheRevenge."




In a chat with us, Gaurav said, “I’ve always held on to old memories. I have kept a lot of keepsakes from the past, and my parents have also preserved many things over the years in Gurgaon. My mother shared this letter with me. When she sent it, I thought it would be nice to share how it all started.”

Speaking about his early days, he added, “When I came to Bombay, I was fortunate to start working fairly soon, something not many people get. My first TV show came in 2000, so there wasn’t a very long gap. In that initial year, I did commercials and also worked as a dancer, which helped me pay my bills. When we come from outside, hamaari jidd-o-jahad aur bills bhi pay karne bhi hote hain. Everyone’s parents are not loaded ki jaa beta tere liye rent par ghar liya hua hai. I felt my story was worth sharing, as it might inspire someone who is at a crossroads or hesitant to take that leap.”

Recounting the highs and quieter phases of his career, he said, “There have been ups and downs. After Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin became a hit, there was a phase where I kept working, but nothing really stood out. Then came Chutki Shopkeeper, which also did very well. After that, it’s been a cycle. You keep doing different things. However, Dhurandhar feels like it’s on another level.”

He added, “I’m sure there are people who have struggled more than I have. But this is my story, and I just wanted to share it.”


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