Gaurav Khanna is an Indian television actor who became a household name playing Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa — and then, in 2025, did what few TV actors manage: he won two reality shows in a single year, Celebrity MasterChef India and Bigg Boss 19. His net worth is estimated at ₹8–18 crore (roughly $1–2.1 million) in 2026, built over nearly two decades in television.
Quick facts
| Full name | Gaurav Khanna |
| Born | December 11, 1981 (age 44), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Profession | Television actor, reality-TV personality |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | MBA (marketing) |
| Spouse | Akanksha Chamola (married November 2016) |
| Known for | Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa; CID; Bigg Boss 19 winner |
| Estimated net worth | ₹8–18 crore (~$1–2.1M; 2026 estimates, unaudited) |
| Last updated | October 2026 |
Biography
Gaurav Khanna was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh — schooling at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School before completing an MBA in marketing. Before acting, he worked for about a year as a marketing manager in an IT firm.
A note on his birth date: most profile sites list December 11, 1981, while a few (notably nfstube) give December 4, 1980. The 1981 date is repeated by the clear majority of sources, so it is used here — but the conflict is worth flagging because neither date comes from an official record.
He has said he “built everything from scratch” — after family financial setbacks, he moved to Mumbai and worked his way up from modeling assignments and TV commercials. In November 2016 he married actress Akanksha Chamola in Kanpur.
Career
Khanna’s television career spans nearly two decades. Early roles included Bhabhi and Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, with his first lead role in Meri Doli Tere Angana (2007). He built a reputation across shows like Jeevan Saathi – Humsafar Zindagi Ke, Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam, and Prem Ya Paheli – Chandrakanta — and as Senior Inspector Kavin in CID.
His breakthrough came with Anupamaa (2021–2024), where he played Anuj Kapadia. The role earned him the Best Actor (Editorial) award at the Indian Telly Awards. Reports put his Anupamaa fee at around ₹1.5–2.5 lakh per episode.
Then came 2025. He won the inaugural season of Celebrity MasterChef India, taking home ₹20 lakh despite being color-blind. Months later he entered Bigg Boss 19 (premiered August 24, 2025) and won the grand finale on December 7, 2025 — lifting the trophy, ₹50 lakh in cash, and a car. He beat Farhana Bhatt, who finished runner-up, along with finalists Pranit More, Tanya Mittal, and Amaal Mallik.
How he makes money — and what he is worth
Television. Nearly two decades of daily soaps — lead roles pay ₹1.5–2.5 lakh per episode.
Reality shows. ₹20 lakh from MasterChef, ₹50 lakh plus a car from Bigg Boss 19; reports put his Bigg Boss 19 weekly fee at around ₹17.5 lakh.
Endorsements and appearances. Post–Bigg Boss fame brought brand deals and event appearances.
So what is he actually worth? The honest range is ₹8–18 crore. Most detailed profiles cluster there. One outlier site claims ₹31 crore without showing its math; that figure is not considered reliable. None of the published numbers is audited — which is why a range, not a single figure, is the honest answer.
FAQ
Who is Gaurav Khanna?
An Indian television actor best known as Anuj Kapadia in Anupamaa (2021–2024) and as the winner of both Celebrity MasterChef India and Bigg Boss 19 in 2025.
Did Gaurav Khanna win Bigg Boss 19?
Yes. He won the grand finale on December 7, 2025, taking the trophy, ₹50 lakh cash, and a car — beating runner-up Farrhana Bhatt.
How old is Gaurav Khanna?
Most sources give his birth date as December 11, 1981, which makes him 44 (turning 45 in December 2026). A few sites list December 4, 1980 instead.
Who is Gaurav Khanna’s wife?
Actress Akanksha Chamola. They married in November 2016 in Kanpur.
For more profiles of Indian reality-TV stars, read the Rajat Dalal biography.
Sources
- nfstube — Gaurav Khanna Biography 2026
- panchang.org — Gaurav Khanna biography
- excelebiz — Gaurav Khanna Biography
- dailywikibio — Gaurav Khanna Wiki
- thesportstribune — Gaurav Khanna Biography
- astroyogi — Bigg Boss 19 winner
- influencersplace — Who is Gaurav Khanna?
Danish Tariq is the founder and editor of Celeb Hubz, covering celebrity net worth, biographies and career stories. He focuses on verified figures and sourced research — no inflated claims, no clickbait.
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