Bigg Boss 8 winner Gautam Gulati says he will only marry an actress if it’s someone like Miss Bhatt
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; February 2, 2015)


What is the first thing you want to do now that the show is over?
I just want to go back to Delhi with my mom, spend time with my family. It’s been a stressful four months and I need to unwind. But there are a few formalities I have to complete in Mumbai first.

Have you thought about what you want to do next?
Yes, I have three good offers. I will be reading the scripts and decide which one I want to do.

Are the offers from TV or films?
They are all film offers. Just before I went into the house, I had gone to Cannes as my film Coward (Darpok) was being screened there. I got a chance to walk the red carpet and that changed my thinking. I want to do projects that are on a certain level now.

So, no more TV?
I will do TV only if there’s something interesting, big and as organised as Bigg Boss. This show has changed my life in a big way. I may do reality shows – the channel has talked to me about Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which I could take up. If it’s a big reality show I will definitely think about it, but no serials for now.

Is the Gautam who went inside the house four months ago different now?
Yes. I have learned a lot inside the house. I would say, I have learnt about life in these four months! To be honest, it’s not been easy at all. The biggest reason for anybody’s downfall is his anger. I learned how to control mine, never to raise a hand — which I never did anyway, and not to use abusive language. Yes, there were fights but I didn’t give gaalis. I have also become dark and lost four-five kilos.

You came into the limelight because you used an abusive word against Karishma...
Yes, but I agreed I shouldn’t have said it and I felt bad about it. But my intention was not bad. It was something that came out of pain. In the task, she applied chilli powder on my face and eyes — even when I remember I get jitters — and what I said came out involuntarily. But uske baad ek jung shuru ho gayi. Everybody was against me and I realised if somebody wants you out, he/she will do anything. I was alone. My energy had drained and I was feeling low. Slowly, things started changing Salman sir and people supported me and I began opening up. But I must say, if Karishma hadn’t started the jung, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to prove myself in the show.

What is your equation with Karishma now?
It’s all good. Her mother hugged me, told me to forget everything and invited me to their house for lunch.

Will you be taking your friendship with Diandra Soares forward?
Diandra is a very nice girl. People from outside have been telling me that she was supporting me. Yes, things happened between us – Emraan Hashmi zone happened before we had a chance to talk about our relationship! There was attraction, but at the same jo cheez possible nahi hai woh nahi hai. We are friends and I won’t do anything that will hurt anybody. Many a times friendships survive, relationships don’t.

Are you saying this because your family is against the relationship?
No. Diandra is aware that I am younger than her and its (relationship) not possible. I draw a line, so there is a friendship.

Does that mean you will marry a girl of your mother’s choice?
It’s a different thing if I fall in love, otherwise, it’ll be whoever mom chooses.

Are you open to marrying an actress?
Ideally, I wouldn’t want to marry an actress, but if it’s Alia Bhatt, I will. She is cute, my kind of girl. She and I go to the same gym but we haven’t. I am a shy type of person so haven’t spoken to her.

What are you planning to do with the Rs 50 lakh you have won?
I will add some more money to it and buy a house in Mumbai at a good location. It’s time I buy one now. In fact, right from childhood, I had this wish that I should and will buy everything I need with my own money.

Gautam Gulati who will now take a break from TV to promote his Hollywood project
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 2, 2015)