Exclusive - Bigg Boss 19 Winner Gaurav Khanna on the dull phase in his career, facing hate from Farrhana, and reacting to trolls targeting wife Akanksha over her choice to not have children

Gaurav Khanna, who recently lifted the Bigg Boss 19 trophy, took home a prize money of Rs 50 lakhs and a brand new car is basking in the success of the show. Recently, in an exclusively chat with Times of India TV, the popular actor opens up like never before. He talks about facing hate from Farrhana Bhatt and trolls targeting his wife Akanksha for her choice to not have kids. Gaurav also recalls the lowest phase of his career, shares his strong bond with Mridul Tiwari, and reacted to his father's emotional outburst on Farrhana Bhatt during an interview. (Photo: Instagram)

It’s been around four and a half months, nearly fifteen weeks, and honestly, not much has changed overall. Things feel pretty much the same. However, one major difference is that people now address me by my real name instead of my character’s name, which feels like a huge change. Being called Gaurav or GK Bhai is really special, and it makes me genuinely happy. I experienced this to some extent during MasterChef, but Bigg Boss 19 has taken that recognition to an entirely new level. (Photo: Instagram)

This experience will surely mark a major turning point in my journey. I believe it can become a game-changer not just for me, but for every contestant, as long as they approach it with the right mindset. In India, there is hardly any platform bigger than this, especially on television. In just three and a half to four months, you find a place in almost every household. People of all ages begin to recognize you by your name, your conduct, and the beliefs you stand for. That kind of reach is incredible. I feel this show taught me a great deal, and I want to make the most of it to connect with a wider audience. I’m fully committed to giving it my best. (Photo: Instagram)

I’ve already expressed everything I needed to while I was inside the show. I’m not someone who comes out and alters my stance afterward. If I focused on being honest during the show, there’s no reason for me to change my words outside. You mentioned that a few contestants didn’t take it positively, but I can only say this in a light-hearted manner.ke agar koi apne naam ka show harr jaaye toh usse buri baat kya hogi... Had I been in that position, I wouldn’t have made such a statement—but it’s fine. If people are reacting to it, then perhaps it means you did something right. (Photo: Instagram)

The contestants who are making such comments should focus on being happy about the fact that they reached the finale. That’s something to value and be proud of. I’m not here to preach or teach anyone lessons. Those who understand will take away what they need to. And if I were the one who had lost, I would never have claimed that the show revolved around me—because once you lose your own show, there’s really nothing more to add. (Photo: Instagram)

That’s simply how elders are. Parents behave that way because they see everyone as their own child. Just like at home, when two kids argue, a mother doesn’t always scold directly—it’s more about context rather than being blunt. People can find fault in anything. When contestants spoke against me, whether inside the house or after stepping out, I chose not to react to what they say. That’s their perspective, and I respect it. If in their view they deserved to win, that’s fine. Be happy with that belief. After all, they also received a massive platform, and I never stood in their way. So how can I question the elders? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. (Photo: Instagram)

First and foremost, I want to make it clear that while it may appear to be her individual choice, it is actually a mutual and personal decision taken by both of us. Yes, she can decide that she doesn’t want to have a child, but that choice belongs equally to the two of us. So suggesting that I am unhappy while she is content makes no sense at all. When it comes to Akanksha, she is an extremely strong woman. In today’s time, especially in 2025, questioning a woman’s choices makes no sense. Life is about personal decisions, and we are all taught to live on our own terms. If someone chooses a certain path and their partner stands firmly by them, then there’s really nothing more to be said—miya biwi raazi toh kya karega kaazi. (Photo: Instagram)

We discussed the entire matter once I stepped out of the show, and honestly, we even laughed about it. Akanksha found it amusing that people were criticizing her without knowing the full context. I told her that since I hadn’t given anyone any real reason to target me, it was only natural for them to dig into personal matters. When there’s no genuine issue to point out, people tend to create one. I genuinely feel that since certain fan clubs couldn’t find anything against me within the show, they chose to twist matters outside it, fabricating narratives and presenting them differently to stir controversy. Their intention was to provoke a reaction and make me feel affected. What they fail to realize is that only genuine issues resonate with people. (Photo: Instagram)

It wasn’t just friendship—it was true brotherhood. That boy (Mridul) put in immense effort for me, and I later realized how deeply he invested himself. That’s exactly why you saw me hand him the trophy, lift him on my back, and ask him to raise it. I know how hard my friends worked to help us reach that moment. We had an understanding that if both of us made it to the top, whoever won would be celebrated. And if one of us was eliminated, the other had to carry the mission forward. Because that win stood for honesty and authenticity. (Photo: Instagram)

Our bond was never for the cameras or for numbers. We never turned against each other, even when many tried to provoke him. He stayed strong and didn’t give in. People often told me I was playing with kids, but I connect with whom I truly relate to. When I was 25, I was exactly like him. And he once told me that when he reaches my age, he hopes to be like me. That mutual understanding is what made our connection so real. (Photo: Instagram)

I believe my upbringing has been incredibly strong, and I owe that entirely to my parents and the values they gave me. Agar meri jagah koi aur hota toh addiction mein chala jaata...(In a similar situation, someone else might have fallen into addiction), taken an impulsive or destructive step, or even quit the industry altogether. I never felt that way. I always believed that if this city had taken something from me, it would also give it back in time. I’ve never been comfortable playing the sympathy card or narrating a sob story. That’s just not who I am. I don’t like presenting myself as someone who keeps explaining or justifying things. I focus on the present, and I want my future to be better, maybe that’s why I rarely speak about the past. I never shared much about my struggles, but that was a conscious decision. (Photo: Instagram)