Gaurav Khanna says industry once branded him ‘jinxed’ before rebuilding his career with Rajan Shahi
Gaurav Khanna has reflected on a period in his career when he felt the television industry had lost confidence in him, describing how repeated setbacks led to him being labelled “jinxed”. The actor, now known for ‘Anupamaa’, his Bigg Boss 19 win and his current stint on ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 15’, spoke about the phase during the privacy task on the stunt‑based format.
Khanna said that after a run of underperforming shows, the perception around him became increasingly negative, with the “jinxed” tag making it harder to secure new work. The comments echo earlier remarks from producer Rajan Shahi, who had publicly acknowledged the industry’s reservations when he cast Khanna in ‘Anupamaa’, produced by Deepa Shahi and Rajan Shahi under Shahi Productions Pvt Ltd.
Shahi had revealed that several people advised him against casting Khanna, warning that it could affect the show’s prospects. Despite this, he chose to proceed, citing the actor’s sincerity and determination. Shahi discussed the character with Khanna over the phone and asked him to report to set immediately. By the time Shahi returned to India, Khanna had already been filming for more than two weeks, with the producer meeting him in person only after shooting had begun.
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Khanna has repeatedly acknowledged Shahi’s support, saying the opportunity arrived at a time when his career was at one of its lowest points. His portrayal of Anuj Kapadia went on to become one of the most widely appreciated characters on Indian television, re‑establishing him as a leading actor.
Since then, Khanna’s trajectory has continued upward. He won ‘Bigg Boss 19’ and is currently competing on ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 15’, marking a significant reinvention from the period he described as one of the most challenging chapters of his professional life.
