Gaurav Khanna (गौरव खन्ना), born on December 11, 1981, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, is an acclaimed Indian television actor who transitioned from a corporate marketing career and MBA to the entertainment industry, debuting in 2006 with Bhabhi as Bhuvan Sareen.
He gained prominence through roles like Sharman Wadhwa in Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Senior Inspector Kavin in CID, and his breakout portrayal of Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa from 2021 to 2024, which earned him widespread fame and awards. In 2025, Khanna won Celebrity MasterChef India Season 1, securing ₹20 lakh despite his color-blindness, and participated in Bigg Boss 19, where he faced early favoritism accusations after clinching the Ticket to Finale and last captaincy but ultimately triumphed in the grand finale on December 7, defeating finalists Farrhana Bhatt (runner-up), Amaal Mallik, Tanya Mittal, and Pranit More to lift the trophy and take home ₹50 lakh plus a car.
Married to Akanksha Chamola since 2016 and residing in Mumbai, he has built an estimated net worth of ₹8 crore through over 15 years of dedication amid early struggles.
Gaurav Khanna (गौरव खन्ना) TV Actor Biography | Wikipedia
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gaurav Khanna | गौरव खन्ना |
| Date of Birth | 11 December 1981 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 43 years |
| Birthplace / Hometown | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Family Background | Father: Vinod Khanna (exporter/businessman); Mother: Shashi Khanna. He has an elder sister named Priya Mehrotra. |
| Education | MBA (Master of Business Administration) — after schooling in Kanpur. |
| Pre-Acting Career | Worked for around a year in an IT firm in marketing role before switching to acting. |
| Occupation | Actor (Television), Reality-show participant & winner, Media personality |
| Years Active | 2005 – present |
| Notable Roles / Works |
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| Reality-Show Participations & Achievements (2025) |
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| Recent Milestone | Winning Bigg Boss 19 (December 2025), which gave him renewed popularity and media attention. |
| Personal Life | Married to Akanksha Chamola (actress) since 24 November 2016. |
| Children (as of 2025) | None. On Bigg Boss 19, he revealed that he desires to have children — though his wife is reportedly hesitant at present because of her career commitments. |
| Net Worth & Income |
As of 2025, estimated net worth is between ₹12–15 crore. During Celebrity MasterChef India he reportedly earned ₹20 lakh prize plus payments per week; as a TV actor (during his “Anupamaa” days) his per-episode fee reportedly ranged approx ₹1.5–2.5 lakh. |
| Lifestyle & Assets (As of 2025) | Lives in a modern luxury apartment in Mumbai; also maintains family home in Kanpur. Known to own a collection of premium vehicles (car + others). |
| Background & Personal Reflections | He has openly spoken about a childhood with ups and downs — from family owning a shoe-factory and multiple cars to facing financial hardship. This background, he says, taught him prudence and grounded him. |
| Public Image / Reputation | Known for calm demeanor, emotional maturity, and balancing personal values with professional ambitions. This reputation contributed to his success on reality shows such as Bigg Boss 19 and Celebrity MasterChef India. |
Gaurav Khanna Early Life & Background
- Born on 11 December 1981 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Completed education with an MBA in Marketing.
- Before acting, he worked in the corporate sector — reportedly in marketing — before switching to TV/acting.
Gaurav Khanna Career & Achievements
- Started his career in television in the mid-2000s (Years active ~ 2005–present).
- Early TV roles included shows like Kumkum Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam (with Yami Gautam), etc.
- Gained major recognition as Senior Inspector Kavin in the popular series CID.
- Biggest breakthrough came as Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa (2021 onward), making him a household name.
- In 2025, he won Celebrity MasterChef India (Season 1) — showcasing cooking skills and winning a cash prize.
- Later in 2025, he participated in Bigg Boss 19 and emerged as the winner, earning cash prize + car.
Gaurav Khanna Awards & Recognitions
From publicly available records:
- 2023 – Indian Telly Awards: Won Best Onscreen Couple (with co-star) for Anupamaa.
- 2023 – Indian Telly Awards: Won Best Actor in a Lead Role (Jury) for Anupamaa.
- 2022 – Nominated for Indian Television Academy Awards – Best Actor (Popular) for Anupamaa.
- 2022 – Nominated for Gold Awards – Best Actor in Leading Role and Best Onscreen Jodi (with co-star).
Gaurav Khanna Net Worth & Lifestyle (2025)
- Estimated net worth: ₹12–15 crore (some sources put it close to ₹15–20 crore).
- Earnings breakdown: From his TV roles (per-episode fee for Anupamaa ~ ₹1.5–2.5 lakh) from reality-show winnings/prizes (Celebrity MasterChef, Bigg Boss 19) from brand endorsements & social-media collaborations.
- Lifestyle: Lives in a luxury apartment in Mumbai; also keeps his family home in Kanpur. He owns premium vehicles including a red Audi A6, a Royal Enfield Classic 350, and reportedly gifted a mid-size SUV to his wife.
Gaurav Khanna Gaurav Khanna Family
| Relation | Name / Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Vinod Khanna — reportedly an exporter / businessman. |
| Mother | Sakshi Khanna (sometimes spelled “Shashi Khanna” in some sources) — homemaker. |
| Sibling(s) | One elder sister, Priya Mehrotra. |
| Spouse / Wife | Akanksha Chamola (actress) — married on 24 November 2016, in Kanpur. |
| Children | As of 2025 — None (the couple do not have children currently). |
Controversies & Criticisms Related to Gaurav Khanna
Refusing Kitchen / Cooking Duties despite MasterChef Win
- On Bigg Boss 19, when asked to cook by the house captain, Gaurav reportedly said he “doesn’t know how to cook Indian food.”
- This triggered strong backlash from fans and viewers, who called him out — arguing that since he had recently won Celebrity MasterChef India, refusing to cook made his win seem questionable or “fake.”
- Critics on social media argued that if he truly had the cooking skills needed to win MasterChef, he should at least manage basic cooking tasks in the Bigg Boss house — refusing which felt like an attempt to “use status” rather than contribute.
Accusations of Being “Fake” / “Acting” for Cameras
- A fellow celebrity (outside the show) Kishwer Merchant publicly called him “fake,” accusing him of behaving unnaturally or “playing up” for the audience.
- Some contestants and viewers likewise accused him of using emotional moments (like speaking about wanting children) to gain sympathy or craft a favourable image — rather than being genuine.
- Many social-media posts / Reddit threads criticized his gameplay within Bigg Boss: calling him overly cautious, passive, or “too safe,” suggesting he lacked the charisma or conflict-driven gameplay typical of Bigg Boss winners.
Criticism for Minimal Contribution / “Doing Nothing” in Show House
- After his win, a segment of the audience felt he “did nothing” significant during the season — claiming he avoided major tasks, infringed less, and spent a lot of time inactive, which made his victory controversial.
- Some former housemates or critics labeled him as a “back-foot player,” suggesting that he often avoided confrontations or active participation — which in a game-show context is seen by many as weak or unengaging.
Emotional Outburst / Loss of Temper Under Media Pressure
- During a media interaction inside Bigg Boss 19, Gaurav reportedly lost his composure after being referred to with a derogatory phrase (the media reportedly called him “sher ki khaal mein lomdi” — translated roughly as “a fox in a lion’s skin”). This moment generated criticism and became a talking point.
- Some saw that as a sign of lack of maturity under pressure — in contrast to his media/image as calm and composed.
Accusations of Using Personal Life (Fatherhood) as Sympathy Angle
- During the show, when Gaurav spoke about wanting children and mentioned his wife’s reluctance (or hesitation), some viewers accused him of using that personal topic strategically — to get audience sympathy or emotional support.
- The timing (just before finale) and the way this topic was addressed led to doubt in public eye about the sincerity of his comments.
Backlash Over Perceived Hypocrisy: MasterChef vs Bigg Boss Behaviour
- Many critics questioned how someone who won a cooking-reality show could claim ignorance of cooking Indian food — calling it hypocrisy or inconsistency.
- According to some, this undermined not only his Bigg Boss performance but also lowered credibility of his MasterChef win.
Gaurav Khanna in Bigg Boss 19
Gaurav Khanna won Bigg Boss 19, lifting the trophy on December 7, 2025, after defeating finalists Farrhana Bhatt (runner-up), Pranit More, Tanya Mittal, and Amaal Mallik in the grand finale hosted by Salman Khan.
He secured direct entry to the finale by winning the intense Ticket to Finale task, balancing a wooden plank with water bowls on his shoulders, outlasting competitors Farrhana Bhatt, Pranit More, and Ashnoor Kaur while earning the season’s last captaincy.
Throughout the season, premiered on August 24, 2025, Gaurav stood out for his calm demeanor, emotional intelligence, and dignity amid house chaos, earning praise from Salman Khan as the “Superstar of TV” and “green flag ambassador” despite early accusations of being passive or favored.
As winner, he took home ₹50 lakh cash prize and a car, with producer Rajan Shahi lauding his maturity and integrity post-finale; however, runner-up Farrhana Bhatt labeled him an “undeserving winner,” and online debates questioned fixing after his Ticket to Finale success.
Gaurav addressed critics post-win, defending his authentic gameplay against claims of being “fake” or “fixed,” emphasizing his realness led to victory after nearly three months of challenges.
Gaurav Khanna FAQs
Who is Gaurav Khanna?
Gaurav Khanna is an Indian television actor born on December 11, 1981, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, known for roles in shows like Anupamaa, CID, and Kumkum.
What is Gaurav Khanna’s age in 2025?
As of December 2025, Gaurav Khanna is 44 years old.
What is his educational background?
He holds an MBA in marketing and worked in corporate before entering acting in 2006.
What are his major TV roles?
Key roles include Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa (2021-2024), Senior Inspector Kavin in CID, and Sharman Wadhwa in Kumkum.
Who is Gaurav Khanna married to?
He has been married to Akanksha Chamola since 2016.
What is his net worth?
Gaurav Khanna’s estimated net worth is ₹8 crore from his 15+ year TV career.
Did Gaurav Khanna win Bigg Boss 19?
Yes, Gaurav Khanna won Bigg Boss 19, lifting the trophy on December 7, 2025.
What prize did he win in Bigg Boss 19?
He took home ₹50 lakh cash and a car as the Bigg Boss 19 winner.
Who were the finalists in Bigg Boss 19?
Top 5 were Gaurav Khanna (winner), Farrhana Bhatt (runner-up), Pranit More, Tanya Mittal, and Amaal Mallik.
When did Bigg Boss 19 premiere and end?
The season premiered on August 24, 2025, and concluded with the grand finale on December 7, 2025.
What was Gaurav’s key Bigg Boss moment?
He won the Ticket to Finale task, securing direct entry and last captaincy amid high pressure.
Any controversies in Bigg Boss 19 for Gaurav?
Reports claimed favoritism after his Ticket to Finale win, sparking online debates about fixing.
What other 2025 win does he have?
Gaurav won Celebrity MasterChef India Season 1, earning ₹20 lakh despite color-blindness.
Where does Gaurav Khanna reside?
He lives in Mumbai with his wife.
What post-Bigg Boss reaction from runners-up?
Runner-up Farrhana Bhatt called Gaurav an “undeserving winner” after the finale.