Kanpur, January 30 – Fresh off his triumphant victory in Bigg Boss 19, actor Gaurav Khanna has returned to his hometown of Kanpur, drawing crowds and heartfelt welcomes. Despite lingering controversies from the show, including recent accusations from contestant Tanya Mittal about insensitive remarks, Gaurav chose to focus on his roots during his visit.
Arriving amid cheers, the actor first headed to Parmat for darshan, a spiritual ritual marking his homecoming. When pressed on the Tanya controversy, Gaurav firmly sidestepped, stating, ‘The show is over now.’ Instead, he opened up about the significance of Kanpur in an exclusive chat.
‘Kanpur is incredibly special to me—it’s where I was born and raised,’ Gaurav shared. ‘We must never forget our roots; they keep us grounded. This city has given me so much.’ Reflecting on his Bigg Boss journey, he added, ‘That house reveals your true self. Before, fans knew me by my character names, but now they recognize Gaurav Khanna—from India to abroad. Hearing ‘JK’ chants abroad was heartwarming.’
Gaurav praised the ongoing development in Kanpur, noting visible progress across the city. ‘A film city here would be amazing—I’d love to work in my hometown,’ he envisioned. On youth and nation-building, he emphasized, ‘Gen Z is our foundation and strength. They hold the power to propel India forward. I’m proud to witness this developed era as an Indian.’
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Gaurav credited the government’s initiatives for Kanpur’s transformation. ‘PM Modi is a great person, and under him, the nation is marching towards progress,’ he affirmed. His visit underscores a celebrity’s deep connection to heritage amid fame’s whirlwind.