Gavie Chahal would have liked to be inside the Bigg Boss house just to prove that one can win the show by staying cool and compassionate

Mona

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Had it not been for an eye surgery, Gavie Chahal would have been a part of the recent edition of Bigg Boss. A calm and cool person, while others thought that Bigg Boss was not for him, Gavie wanted to take his chance. Now, as he recuperates, Captain Abrar of Ek Tha Tiger opens up on life on screen and off it.

• Are you following Bigg Boss? Do you still wish to make it to this edition?

Reality TV is a strange world. I recall seeing Fear Factor and saying, ‘Oh, I could do that’. When I was in the show, I was not striving to beat other contestants but challenging my limits. Rabb di mehar naal I was the winner. Similarly, when the offer for Bigg Boss came, I wanted to test my limits. So far one has seen that those who are right and play right don’t go far. I wanted to try and see it for myself. Keeping my cool and dealing with anyone messing up with me. I did watch the opening show. Hoping that soon I am on the road to recovery after my major eye surgery and then I am open to options available then.

• How did the lockdown go for you?

While personally it didn’t hit me hard, I was in it like everyone else. But I feel sorry for those who lost their loved ones. In the times of a pandemic, there is little that one can do. Trying to be on the right path is my approach.

• How do you feel the late onslaught on entertainment industry?

Things are bad everywhere – the farmers’ protests have taken a political hue, Sushant’s untimely demise opened a Pandora’s box with accusations flying right, left and centre. Such things do exist but not every actor or actress is part of it. It’s rather sad to see that many from the industry are giving sensational statements just for a few minutes of fame and the media cashing on it. It’s time to stick together and sort out things rather than indulging in blame game.

• The lockdown sent units packing. What’s the status of your projects?

I was keen on Bigg Boss. There were two big films that I had to pass due to my eye surgery. But there is more in the pipeline. I am looking forward to Torbaaz in which I play an Afghan sports coach. There is another web series Title Role. The release of Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai is awaited too. There are a couple of projects that I am looking at post my recovery. That’s life, you win some, you lose some.

• How was growing up in Punjab?

Absolutely amazing. I was in Mansa till class VIII and then we moved to Patiala. Our generation has seen so much. From the days of huddling together to watch Ramayan and Mahabharat when there was just one television set in the entire mohalla to pooling in money to rent a VCR to watch four films back-to-back, times were relatively simple yet fun. Then came Maruti car, one would be comfortable in that, never felt hot even without an AC. Then mobiles…, flashier cars. There’s no end to material desire.

• Are you a big fan of Punjabi films and music?

Totally. My quiet moments are with Sartaaj’s songs, gymming is all about beats and peppy numbers. It’s rather sad that songs with guns and violence do better than meaningful melodies, but singers, producers, audience are all party to it.

• Your roadmap to the future?

The pandemic has shown that if we do not care about nature, then nature would take care of itself. Things might be chaotic but we can continue to do the right thing, that’s where I see hope.