Having ruled the Indian fashion ramp for four years (2002-2006), Gauhar Khan came to B-town with similar dreams. She did win notice as Koena Shaikh in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. But it was as Chaand Bibi in Ishaqzaade, that Gauhar caught the fancy of movie enthusiasts. Right now, she’s in the midst of several things, doing up her new house and also being by her close friend’s side whose pet dog has undergone a surgery. Before we begin the chat, she goes through an invite to a high-profile glam party. She tosses aside the invitation and says...
“I don’t like to party”
If I could be at home all day, I’d be happy! When I entered the industry, people told me, ‘Oh you’ve got to do your PR, you have to party and be seen.’ But I’ve never been to an after-party of a fashion show, even when I was an A-list model. I never attended a party, drank or flirted. I’d rather spend those hours with family and friends. I seem reserved but for those who know me, I am a full-on nautanki.
“Miss India meant no more studies”
I was born in Mumbai but brought up in Pune. I was a good student but was not keen on academics. I enjoyed extracurricular activities instead. The moment my father showed me the Miss India ad, I jumped with excitement and said, ‘Yay! No more studies.’ I couldn’t imagine myself doing a 9-5 job. I needed to do something creative, maybe designing or having my own clothing line.
“I’m closest to Nigaar”
I was an outgoing child but turned aloof as I grew up. Nigaar, my sister, was the opposite. She was the quietest child I’ve known but now she can befriend anyone. My father was never really around because he lived in Japan. Once a year, he’d spend a month with us. I was my mom’s pet and would get away with murder. My siblings hated the fact that I got so much attention. But we all got along like a house on fire. Sometimes, we’d make my brother play the dog; we’d leash him and take him for a walk. Now I’m closest to Nigaar (TV actor/model). There’s no competition between us, as we belong to different industries.
“I laughed at my wardrobe malfunction”
When the wardrobe malfunction happened (Gauhar and co-model Carol Gracias had an ‘oops’ moment at a popular fashion week), I was shattered for almost a month. But when Carol and I saw ourselves on the Amul hoardings we laughed. The Amul hoardings are supposed to feature famous people. So I took it as being famous! I see the good and don’t concentrate on the bad.
“Danny Boyle told me I was too pretty to be cast in Slumdog Millionaire”
I met director Danny Boyle when he was casting for Slumdog Millionaire. He told me that I was a brilliant actor and could easily pass off as an American or British. But unfortunately, I wasn’t chosen. He told me, “You’re too pretty to be cast as a slum girl.” But I believe I am a complete actor. I can be a chic executive as in Game or be a sex worker as in Ishaqzaade. I can also be the glam quotient as in the item song Parda (Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai).
“I have never asked for any help from the Nadiadwalas”
My father’s sister is married into the Nadiadwala family. I have never asked for any help from them nor have I ever been offered anything. Wherever I am today is only because of my steady work. If I had a godfather or I was someone’s daughter or someone’s girlfriend when I was 17 or 18, I would’ve made it easily. I was on the ramp for five years. Had I quit the ramp earlier, perhaps films would have happened sooner. Despite being broke, I said ‘no’ to so many offers that paired me opposite a big star but didn’t give me space to prove my acting potential. I don’t regret that because those roles turned out to be disasters. And none of those actresses have a standing today. But I thank Yash Raj Films, who chose me out of the 200 girls auditioned and Jaideep Sahni (writer) for believing in me. I think it was worth the wait.
“The book The Secret changed my life”
You can look at Mukesh Ambani’s house and feel envious of it or you can say, ‘Oh my God, this is amazing! I want to do the same’. When I was just a model, I’d see hoardings of newcomers and get disappointed. But I realised I was concentrating on wrong things. The book The Secret changed my outlook towards life. I started seeing the positive and feeling happy for others. I’m happy for Frieda Pinto (she bagged the role in the Slumdog Millionaire). Would I like to be where she is? Surely! But above all, for me who came from an ordinary family to be recognised as an actor by the likes of Rishi Kapoor, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, is a dream come true anyway. When Rakeysh saw me in Zangoora—The Gypsy Prince (India’s first Bollywood musical play) he said, “I couldn’t take my eyes off you, your performance was so gripping.” So for me success is relative.
“I would never recommend anyone to go under the knife”
There is nothing more important than your own identity. I want to wake up every day and see myself in the mirror as God has made me. So what if your upper lip is thinner than your lower lip. But I did give lip augmentation a shot. I couldn’t recognise myself in the mirror and was terrified. As a result I didn’t shoot for Khan Sisters (her television reality show) and shouted that the cameras be put off.
“I’m sure my exes must be regretting the mistake they made”
I believe in giving 150 percent to my relationships. And if you get 140 per cent back, it’s great. But if you get 50 per cent in return then say goodbye. I have realised what not to go for — traits like dishonesty, poor values and arrogance. Some people feel they’re doing you a favour by being with you. I’m sure today my exes must be regretting the mistake they made. I’m not in a relationship currently but I’d love to be in one because I’m a sucker for love. In the worst situations what can keep you going is love. I’m waiting for a worthwhile guy.
