Gaurav Chopraa epitomizes style.

He is suave, learned and has a keen sense of art.

A man of few words, when he recites a poem with his baritone, women go weak on their knees.

We knew from the beginning that he is the apt choice for a t?te-?-t?te in our Irshaad section, after all, he is a true romantic in heart.

Read on this exclusive interview wherein Gaurav speaks about poetry, dohas, art, literature and Tata Sky’s unique service Actve Javed Akhtar. And yes, today is Javed saab's birthday, so this article becomes all the more special. Happy Birthday Javed saab. 

We feel that life without poetry would be incomplete…your thoughts?

I completely endorse it as I feel poetry is a gift where one can play with words. I also feel that some people are blessed with the ability to add flavour and the mystic touch to evoke emotions via poems.

Do you have interest in poetry and shayari?

I do, but I am more of a classic lover. I really feel poetry is an art that can intoxicate one’s soul.

Have you ever written/recited a poem or a shayari to profess your love for someone?

I have; but I am not giving out any details (winks).

In this day and age – where people have lost interest in poetry and that kind of romance, how do you stay connected to shayari/poetry?

To be honest, I am not someone who buys a poetry book, I do appreciate the art form if I come across a well written piece. I have always been of the opinion that the ‘khoobsurti’ of the ‘khayal’ is the highlight of any ‘kalaam’.

Who is your favorite shayar or poet?

That is a very difficult question. Yes, there are four magicians whose work I admire a lot. They are Sahir Ludhianvi, Kaifi Azmi, Gulzar and Javed Akhtar.

Do you know Tata Sky & Javed Akhtar are reviving the essence of poetry and dohas with Tata Sky’s Actve Javed Akhtar service? Your comments.

Yes, and I think it’s a great move. It’s a perfect connecting factor for today’s youth who somehow have alienated themselves from the art form. In my growing up days, I have seen Mushairas which helped me better my command over language and diction. I think such shows should be appreciated and passed on as legacy to the coming generation.

Dohas are sometimes believed to be old-fashioned, with no relevance in today’s world. What are your views on this?

For me, dohas are immortal pieces of art. But at the same time they are something that people will only connect if they have an understanding for it or the sense to appreciate it.

Javed Akhtar is a magician with the pen. Any favourite song or poem of his you remember/like?

I love his writing but can’t recall anything specific at this point of time. All I need to do is turn on Actve Javed Akhtar (chuckles)

To end, kuch irshaad kijiye…

These lines really portray an actor’s life and thus are quite close to my heart.

Kal aur ayenge nagmo ki khilti kaliyan chunnewale,

Mujhse behetar kehnewale, tumse behetar sunnewale.

Kal koi mujhko yaad kare kyon, koi mujhko yaad kare,

Masroof zamana mere liye kyon waqt apna barbaad kare.

Main pal do pal ka shayar hu, pal do pal meri kahani hai,

Pal do pal meri hasti hai, pal do pal meri jawani hai…

For those who are fans of Urdu Shayari and dohas, check out ‘Actve Javed Akhtar’, the latest offering from Tata Sky.