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Manav Gohil, an actor by profession always wanted to be a model but, destiny had something better for him. Known to many as Shweta Kawatra's hubby, he has shared screen space with Mandira Bedi on 'Fame Gurukul' and was lucky enough to perform with Shweta on the very famous 'Nach Baliye 2'. The show got them lots of love, publicity and unwanted media glare. In an exclusive interview with our team, Manav clears his stand on his profession, his wife-n-good friend Shweta and the controversies revolving around 'Nach Baliye 2'. To start with, why did Manav choose acting and not any other profession?
It's a sad story. It's more of an accident than a story. I was in Baroda and I came down to Mumbai. I had a small business which was a management firm. I used to subscribe for a magazine named A & M - Advertising and Marketing and on the last page they had a column, 'Model Watch'. I always wanted my picture in that column but, for that I had to come to Mumbai. I stayed here for 6 months. I thought that I will get my picture printed and will come back but, I had no printed my picture. I came to Mumbai to become a model. I was camera shy and was very nervous. I am a small town boy. It took some effort for me but, I have overcome it, how about that? Do you mean you always wanted to become a model and not an actor?
Acting was never what I was looking forward to, modeling was and that too for a limited time. I had always thought of gaining popularity and then, returning back home but, that never happened and so this happened. So how many TV serials have you acted in?
I had done 'Choodiyan' on Sony TV that was 5-6 years back then, 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki', 'Kasautii Zindagi Ki', 'KKusum' and the 'K-Series' just started. You have also hosted 'Fame Gurukul', what's the difference between hosting and acting?
It is a really different from acting. Pre-dominantly, acting would be interacting with the characters and hosting would be interacting with the masses. For communicating with the people, you don't have to be a character you have to be Manav Gohil. It is different and more challenging. Hosting is way more interesting than acting. Talking about your role in 'Remix' as Professor Mitra, he was hated by everyone.
I don't like to talk about Prof Mitra as people don't like me. Kids used to come and say, "Please don't be so harsh on the kids" but, they didn't understand that I did that to earn my bread. Prof Devashish Mitra was a character which was slowly and gradually constructed. We worked a lot and borrowed from other characters, we have seen that. We mixed and matched and made Prof Mitra. I personally don't like that character. The character was very rigid and dark. 'Nach Baliye 2' got Shweta and you performing together on-screen. How was the experience performing with your better half?
Well, I have always been fond of dancing but, my better half doesn't like to dance. So it was more of a struggle together (Laughs). Of course, we performed and were fine. As a matter of fact I am proud for Shweta more than myself. Regarding dance, she is more of a shy person but, I was the one who would dance. Shweta has improved and now she has started to enjoy dancing. It was great dancing with Shweta. I made lot of friends on the show as well. It was a lot of hard work however, it was worth every bit. It was truly a lot of fun. Since you both had put in a lot of effort, were you disappointed for not getting through to the finals of 'Nach Baliye'?
Honestly, at that point, 'Yes' not because I wanted to be on the top but, because we were out of the family which was created and constructed slowly with every episode. We were happy because we were relieved out of the stress we were going through. We achieved more than what we had expected. We were momentarily disappointed not because we lost but, because we had to say, 'good bye' to the family. Which jodi do you thing was not better than you?
All the jodis had their own USPs. They all were hard-working, technically very sound with dance. I was upset when Narayani and Gaurav had to leave the show, they were really good as a couple, as dancers, as performers. Hiten and Gauri were very fortunate with the votes that helped them a lot even though they were not good at dancing. I personally find them cute. Yash improved a lot and Gauri is a great dancer. The way it went was fine. Bhaktyar and Tanaz, it was disappointing for them, it was just a matter of one mistake and you go down. Things went right, things went wrong. 'Nach Baliye' is a great family. All the realty shows are always surrounded by some kind of controversy. Talking about the SIM card Controversy surrounding Shweta and you, please throw some light on that.
We got lot of help from the media from the SIM Card Controversy. I am not primarily denying that I didn't buy SIM cards. I bought it for my friends and for my family. They wanted to vote for us but, they could not vote for more than a number of times. Instead of them spending money and getting SIM cards, I got SIM cards for them. I got 200 SIM cards. Per week for a bad couple like us we used to get lakhs of votes. Now if we are really trying to manipulate 400 votes, would not make any difference, right? I think there was something wrong in a particular section of media. They wanted some story and they played it wrong. I was never interrogated by any cop. One goes through these ups and downs being an actor. We need to be just ready for them. So do you think media has misused its power?
Yes, completely misused. I was very disappointed, more than me it was about our parents. They were disturbed. We live here so we know how it all works but, it was difficult for them to digest and understand that it was nothing big. It was just blown out of proportion. It was very painful for me because it was not right on the part of the media to do so. Media was wrong at that time. Tell us something about Shweta as a person, since she is your better half who would know her more than you?
She is as regular as she could be. There are good and bad parts of a human being. She is a sweet person, a nice wife and a good friend as well. We have a great life together. We have our ups and downs. I do get few blues and blacks once in a while but, its fine, I promise you (laughs). I enjoy spending time with her. We are a regular couple, how about that? When did you start seeing her? How did the cupid strike between you guys?
It's such a boring question to answer after 2 and half years of marriage and five years of relationship. I have to go 5 years back .We both were shooting for 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki'. We met a couple of times, partied together and turned out to be great buddies. Slowly the friendship turned into a habit and then, turned into love. So is it easy for you to manage everything since Shweta is from the same profession as you are?
I would not generalize so. Life and marriage in whatever capacity is a challenge .It does not matter whether you are from the same or different field. You have to make certain compromises and adjustments that every human being has to make with respect to your better half. So, 'yes' it does add a little ease to your lives. Shweta knows that I have to shoot till 2 since that is how our schedule is. If I would have married a banker, it would have taken 2 years to explain my lifestyle to her. It becomes a little easier but, otherwise I don't think life would have become different as long as there is compatibility and a will to work towards the relationship. Would we get to see Shweta and you again on-screen?
We both are looking forward to the right script to come our way. We both are happy doing what we are doing but, definitely its not merging right now but and we have kept our fingers crossed. There is trend going on with actors or actresses from the TV circuit making it big on the big screen. So are you following the trend?
Me, I am planning to do something in Bollywood? I am dreaming about Hollywood, planning about Bollywood and acting in Tellywood. Yes, I would love to do some good films not because I want to be a part of them. I won't jump towards it but, yes I am waiting for the right kind of script, character, producers, directors. Your take on the famous fives!!! Bollywood
It's a big industry. It has lot of money flowing and has lots of power, right now low on talent. TV Artists hosting shows
What about it? Reality shows
It would be 'Chicken Biryani' if daily soaps would be 'Daal Chawal'. They are quite interesting and real.
TV industry
It is booming and growing. There is always a dearth of good talent and mind you, I am not talking about me but, about the industry. It has lot of scope, honestly at the moment, except for reality shows we are watching shows which I would not like to watch. I really wish we could come up with better shows with good scripts. That is what I expect as an actor but, it is a great industry to work in. K-Serials
Bas aur nahi!!! (Laughs loudly) They are good and I started from there but, it's time to jump on L, M, N, O, P and so on. Party Time!!! When is your Birthday and how do you celebrate it?
November 9th. I go to the zoo and distribute bananas and Parle-G biscuits to chimpanzees and monkeys, you don't believe me? Seriously, that's what I do. Last time you went on a holiday….
I went to New York with Shweta, just got back. Last time you lost your senses….
I am trying to remember. Last time you partied hard….
We had a Holi bash in US at the wrong time but, it was fun. Last time you gave a big treat to your friends…
I gave a big treat on my previous birthday. I told you about the chimpanzees and monkeys. This time it was at Mainland China with my 'Nach Baliye' gang. I fed them with Chinese bananas and China Parle-G Biscuits. Which are the shows you are currently working on?
'Paraya Dhaan' on Star Plus and 'Betiyaan' on Star One. There are a couple of other things in the pipeline bigger than just TV shows which you will come to know in a month's time. Last but not the least …
What stands between you and your successful life is the lack of courage. We all have dreams and all we need is the courage to follow them. | 
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