'My parents knew I was a nautanki'

Model actor

Gauahar Khan who started her career as a model realised her acting skills when she was young. “I remember I used to pose in my family pictures. My parents knew I was a nautanki,” she tells Metrolife.

Always focussed on modelling and acting, she was a ‘drama minister’ and dancer at school. “I knew I will be in fro­nt of the camera,” she says. Game for different projects
as she feels they provide an opp­ortunity for bigger acting ventures, Khan says, “Coming from a non-filmy background, if I have managed to do a Yash Raj film and some
good songs, I feel I have achieved something.”

Khan who’s set her eyes on Hollywood shares her experience in Bollywood. “I have only done serious roles, like in Rocket Singh... which was critically acclaimed and the role in Ishaqzaade was also a serious one.”

Her new assignment, Oh Yaara Ainvayi Ainvayi Lut Gaya, is a Punjabi romantic-comedy, “where I will be acting as an urban Punjabi girl. I wanted to fulfil my Yash Raj dream of running in the field with a duppatta. This is a dream come true,” Khan says. Working for a Punjabi film was difficult though, “My co-star Jassi Gill taught me Punjabi and I learnt it in 20 days,” she says. “If I am successful in making a place in the hearts of Punjabi’s I will be happy.”

Khan was nominated for the Most Promising Newcomer - Female for Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, at Screen Awards 2010 and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Ishaqzaade at Renault Star Guild Awards 2013.

A shopaholic who loves shopping in streets and malls and is very choosy says, “I pick up things which are worth the price and look pretty on me.” She is also fond of reality shows, “I love to watch Naach Baaliye,” and proudly claims that she was a part of the Reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi and the winner of Big Boss 7 (2013) and, the first runner-up of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 (2009).

Her busy schedule notwithstanding, Khan ensures she spends quality time with her family with whom she is closely attached. “My family is very supportive of my work and my decisions,” she says.

Khan who was, some time back, slapped by a spectator at the popular reality show India’s Rawstar, speaks vociferously about women’s rights. “We should stand up and speak up for what is right, rather than being quiet.” When asked about the item numbers that are included to spice up the scenes, she says, “I feel the ‘item’ songs should not be called so, as it is derogatory to womanhood.”