05 August,2026 01:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Gaurav Khanna (Picture via Instagram)
Television actor Gaurav Khanna has opened up about one of the most difficult phases of his career, revealing that he was once branded "unlucky" after several of his shows failed to perform. Speaking on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, the actor recalled how the tag affected his professional journey, with producers and industry insiders beginning to view him as someone who brought bad luck to projects. The actor recently gave a glimpse of his back injury after pellet gun stunt.
Reflecting on those challenging years, Gaurav shared that he experienced a string of unsuccessful television shows despite putting in his best efforts. "There was a phase when a few of my shows didn't work, and people started calling me unlucky," he said. The perception eventually began to impact his career, making it harder for him to land new projects.
The actor admitted that the industry's judgment took a toll on him professionally. "I started losing work because people believed I was unlucky. In this industry, labels spread very fast," he said, adding that it was frustrating to be judged for factors beyond his control. According to Gaurav, an actor can only give an honest performance, while the fate of a show depends on several other elements.
Despite the setbacks, Gaurav refused to let the criticism define him. He continued working hard and remained patient, believing that perseverance would eventually pay off. "I never stopped believing in myself. I knew my work would speak one day," he said.
The actor also reflected on how unpredictable the entertainment industry can be, noting that success and failure often come in cycles. He explained that one unsuccessful project can lead to assumptions about an actor's abilities, even though television is a collaborative medium where many factors contribute to a show's success. He then became a household name with Anupamaa.
Looking back now, Gaurav feels those struggles helped shape him into a stronger person. The difficult period taught him resilience and prepared him to appreciate success without taking it for granted. "Every phase teaches you something. Those failures made me mentally stronger," he said.
With the first episode of Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, Gaurav faced his fear of fire. Rohit Shetty had made him wear a fire suit and overcome his fear as he sets the suit on fire and he had to walk with it for a minute. He even did a stunt despite the back injury with pellet gun and survived the first elimination.
Gaurav Khanna's personal life has been in front of the fans after his reality stint with Bigg Boss 19 and Akanksha Chamola entering Lock Upp. While Gaurav had confessed about Akanksha not wanting to have kids. Akanksha went on to make a shocking revelation about their divorce on Lock Upp.
