Growing up with Gogi

How has been your journey in the industry?

God has been kind. I have grown up doing Taarak Mehta Ka OoltahChashmah.It has been 12 years now and still the show is going strong. People know me as Gogi and it’s a big achievement for me as an actor.

What kept you focused for 12 long years doing the same role?

My professionalism, my dedication, and my love towards the serial keeps me focused. I feel extremely honoured and happy that my mother has pushed me in the right direction. My creative team always works hard to make the show look and feel fresh with their interesting content.

Tell us one memorable sequence of yours from the show?

A memorable sequence was when the episode came wherein I am tense because of board exams. At that time in real life, I was in the 9th standard, so the expressions were very much real. May be that episode gave me the confidence to score 82 per cent in the 10th board exams.

How are you in person, similar or different from Gogi?

There are few similarities and differences also. Gogi is a joyful boy, and so is Samay. I love being happy. Differences are like, I am a Gujarati and Gogi is Punjabi. I don’t always do Bhangra when I am happy.

What’s your equation with your co-stars?

Everyone on the sets is very entertaining and fun loving. The recent prank was played on Azhar Sheikh, who is playing the role of Pinku.

Any crazy fan moment?

There are many moments but yes, I remember, once the whole team was travelling from Gujarat to Mumbai. A man with a Gujarati accent asked me why I cry so much in the show. He said I am like Nobita (a popular cartoon character from Doraemon).

How do you spend your time when not shooting?

When I am free, I like to write poems. I do yoga and I also go to the gym.

If you get a chance to play any character from Bollywood movie, which one would you play and why?

I would like to play Khilji from Padmavat because I would like to do what Ranveer Singh did. Also, I would like play a character like Baburao in Hera Pheri.

If not an actor, what would you be?

I am born to do acting. I think it is in my blood and I am very much confident about it. But, I like to write, so I think I can give it a try.