After starting her career as a model, Gauhar Khan switched to Bollywood. She was seen in films like“Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year” and “Ishaqzaade”. Her claim to fame, however, is the coveted title she got after winning “Big Boss 7” in 2013. Later, she also participated in an adventure-based reality show “Khatron Ke Khiladi” with her old friend Kushal Tandon.
Recently in the Capital to promote her first Punjabi film O Yaara Ainvayi Ainvayi Lutt Gaya , she spoke to The Hindu about her films, the ‘slapgate’ scandal, item numbers and much more.
When and how did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer and enter Bollywood?
If you see my childhood pictures, the rest of my siblings are standing straight in a picture and I am always in a pose. And this is when I was four or five years old. So my parents always knew that this one is nautanki and she will do something like that. Even in school I was into dramatics and extra-curricular activities. I knew that I wasn’t a 9-5 person and I couldn’t do what others are doing despite having so much respect for learned people. I always knew I would be in front of the camera.
You have been a model, an actor and a television star as well. What do you enjoy more?
I was bored of modelling. It was a source of income for me and I loved doing it for a couple of years. But modelling has this monotony that I couldn’t handle. Because I had this bag of talent in me that I wasn’t being able to explore as a model, so I would put that as the least favourite. Television and films is something that I enjoy equally because in television people connect with me as Gauhar Khan and in films people connect with my characters.
Tell us about more about “O Yaara Ainvayi Ainvayi Lutt Gaya”.Also why don’t we get so see you more often in Bollywood films?
It will be my first masala commercial film where I get to play a crazy character named Gunjan. She is an ambitious urban Punjabi girl who is childish and makes stupid mistakes but she won’t really accept it. Nowadays relationships get spoiled over small tiffs. We are trying to give out a little bit of message through this movie which has comedy, love, romance, anger, court-room drama and an interesting climax. Regardless of whether you understand Punjabi or not, this movie will entertain you.
I do have two films lined up in Bollywood. But as an actor, I could be acting in any language. Tomorrow if I get an opportunity to go to Hollywood, I will. It is just about expanding your wings. Also, be it “Rocket Singh” or “Ishaqzaade”, I have done only serious roles until now. I wanted to break free from that and fulfil my Yashraj dreams of running in a khet (field) and lehraoing (spreading) my dupatta .
Many people are of the opinion that item numbers degrade women. Being a performer yourself, what is your take on such issues?
I call my songs as dance numbers since I hate the term ‘item’ which is derogatory towards women. I decline songs which have objectionable lyrics because it is very important for people in this industry to have a social responsibility. Recently, I was offered to do a song which had some bizarre lyrics like “andar kamre mein” and all that. With lyrics like that, they were planning to shoot it in some college set-up. I knew I had to refuse it.
You have been a part of the controversy where a man had slapped you because you were wearing short clothes and some labelled it as a publicity stunt. What is the best way to tackle such issues?
I don’t want to give importance to a person by explaining or mentioning this incident because I don’t want to give importance to someone who wanted just that in life at my cost. After the episode, it took me one day to speak up because I was so shocked. I held a press conference and said what I had to say. After that I have never spoken about it. And that is what you need to do because the truth never needs to be explained.
