Striking a scrumptious note with Manav Gohil

Click on the picture to view slideshow We meet so many people during our lifetime. Some remain acquaintances; others go on to become associates or friends and with a few we get vibes of a past life connect. And actor Manav Gohil is one such person with whom I have a karmic connection. Some strange attachment seems to bind us as I see my brother in him and he sees his mother in me. I have known him since his entry into television as an actor, attended his wedding to actor Shweta Kawatra eight years back and though I never really interacted with him on a regular basis, I know he is there for me. He is what you call my 4 am buddy. Did I say ‘buddy’ for that reminds me Manav playing the mentor in The Buddy Project (Channel V) where a bunch of college students look up to him. So when I decided to take Manav out for dinner I zeroed in on a place which would be buzzing with youngsters and it was Pop Tate’s at Saki Naka, Andheri. Since Manav was shooting in the vicinity, he came straight from the location. Looking smart in a casual black sleeveless jacket on light blue shirt with sleeves folded-up, the dimpled actor greeted me with the special warmth that we shared. No sooner did we enter the packed-to-the-gills restaurant than we had the friendly Rizwan Rakhangi of Pop Tate’s extend a warm welcome while guiding us to the table. The place had loud music and being a Friday, the chatter of the guests added to the din. But before we could head to our table, Manav was encircled by a bunch of youngsters requesting to capture him with them on their cell phone cameras. As we took in the prints of Hollywood stills on the walls, we were served Chinese Chicken Chilli, Fish Afrikano and Grilled Paneer Tikka. Manav settled for draught beer while I went for a strawberry fruit punch. In the four year’s gap between Manav’s last TV show and now, he looks younger as he agreed, “Yes, I had to work on my looks since the character I play is younger than my real age.” Between melt-in-the-mouth Cheese Balls, as I enquired about the apple-of-his-eye, daughter Zahra, he showed me her image on his handset. The cute baby looks just like her mother Shweta, I observed. Let me tell you this busy actor is a hands on father… he loves to bathe his little baby, change nappies, play with her and even puts her to sleep when he goes home after a day of hectic shooting schedule. I asked about his equation with wife Shweta as I have always found Manav to be more friendly while Shweta is a little aloof….does ‘opposites attract’ work with them and he said with a deepening dimple, “Actually it is the other way around. Shweta may appear like that but once you break through the ring, she is very affable. Initially, I had ego problems…I would find it difficult to own up and say ‘sorry’.” But with times and the principle they follow they look at life with self-discipline and meaningful motivation.” Manav was already full with the starters but Rizwan made sure to serve us Penne Pasta in Arabiatta sauce with garlic breads. Just a few spoons and the buddy mentor was through with his meal. Besides being health conscious (I eat very little at night, he told me) it was getting past 11 and he was restless to go home to see his cherubic angel. Though it was another thing that the staff of Pop Tate’s and other guests wouldn’t let him off so easily – autographs and pictures toh banta hi hai Mr Jaitely! I saw him off with a hug and promised to be in touch more often. A sense of calm pervaded me and I wished him luck in all his endeavours. So before signing off, we asked After Nach Baliye and Fame Gurukul, would he like to do any reality show…like Bigg Boss, “Perhaps! But I would love to do Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa," enthused Manav who has proved his dancing skills in Nach Baliye. As for regular saas-bahu soaps, according to him, “Never say never. If something substantial is offered I may take it up.” Have a great life ahead…Manav!!!