Gaurav Gera: I will not return to Jhalak as a wild-card entry, I refuse to hurt myself

Gaurav Gera, popularly known as Chutki (his social media avatar), is the first contestant to get evicted from Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’s ongoing Season 9. SpotboyE.com caught up exclusively with the Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi actor as he spoke about his experience in the dance reality show, love life and much more. This is how the conversation went:

How has the Jhalak experience been?
Very nice. I danced a lot, lost some weight, learned some new moves and made many friends.

Did you expect to get evicted so soon?
I knew I won’t last long, because the other contestants were really good. The show is about dance, so it is fair and fine.

Had you appeared on the show as Gaurav and not Chutki, would you have stayed on?
If I had participated as Gaurav, it would have been boring. I can dance and I don’t need a show to prove that. My challenge was to dance like a girl convincingly, and I had my share of fun.

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But the fun element – Chutki -- will be missed...
(Laughs) I make sure people don’t miss me -- I make many videos in a day (Chutki and Shopkeeper). TV is a larger medium and with Jhalak, I wanted more people to know who Chutki is and watch my videos.

In last week’s episode, you had a wardrobe malfunction. Did that affect your eviction?

Throughout the performance, I was calculating my steps so that I don’t fall. I was confused whether to remove the skirt, continue the dance or go for a retake. But in Jhalak, there are no retakes. Anyway, I am happy that I completed my performance.

Your best friend Mona Singh was also present...

She had come to support and cheer for me. Aur cheer karte karte ghar le gayi (laughs)

What was your fun moment in the show?

I was getting to wear gaudy clothes, which I realised is very painful. Dressing up like a girl for 15-16 hours of shoot used to kill me. Sometimes my beard used to grow… so, I was always in panic mode to finish off the shoot. Another challenge was wearing heels while dancing. Even the girls refused to do it, but I insisted.

We hear you will have a wild-card entry...

I will not go. I refuse to hurt myself to this extent. I love the show.I would love to come and be around, but not participate again.

Who has the potential to win the title?

Everybody is good. The judges will have a tough time deciding the winner.

Thumbnail Image Source: careermasti

After Jhalak, will we see you in any other reality show?
No. When I signed Jhalak, I just wanted to have fun. I didn’t realise that I will have to practise so much. I can’t be a Khatron Ke Khiladi...jumping from heights and eating insects are not possible for me.

Do you think Chutki’s popularity will overshadow Gaurav Gera?
Not really. I brought Chutki to a dance reality show, but that’s not the only character I play. I also play Shopkeeper, Chutki’s mom, Suyyash and other characters.

After Chutki and Shopkeeper’s popularity, we have seen an influx of social media artistes. Is there a threat?

Everybody has a place, it all depends on how interesting and innovative you are. When I started making videos, I wanted to inspire the youth. I wanted people to utilise their phones properly instead of playing games or simply browsing the entire day. Everyone has some talent and they should recognise that. If you are good, you will rise.

Chutki has a special person (boyfriend), Suyyash. Who is Gaurav’s special person?
Mona Singh. Oh wait, you mean girlfriend-boyfriend wali equation?

Yeah...
Woh nahi hai. I don’t have time for that. I don’t have a girlfriend. I used to, but that was around 10 years ago.

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When was the last time you went out on a date?
Casual dates like going out for coffee keep happening, but I haven’t been on a romantic date for a very long time. I don’t have any inclination to get involved in a relationship. I am very difficult to be with and very moody, too.

What about Chutki? Is she difficult, too?
Well, Chutki is outgoing, but I don’t meet many people. I don’t like to step out of my house until it’s a close friend’s birthday. I don’t even attend award functions of filmy parties. I am a very reserved yet happy person.


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