Gaurav Chopra is back with a bang from South Africa after acting in Bombay Crush (a Musical stage show) and is keeping a low profile for the time being. While the actor has thinned down for all the right reasons, he's busy coping with jetlag at the moment. The actor, who was last seen in Star One's Dil Kya Chahta Hai and Zee's Piya Ka Ghar (as Prem) is beaming with pride for all the admiration that has come his way in the past five months that he spent in Durban for the musical play.
In his first interview with the press after returning from his African safari, Gaurav Chopra chats up with Kavita Shyam about his experiences there.

How was your trip to South Africa?

"The show was a fantastic transition from TV"

The trip was absolutely fantastic. I did not expect this kind of an amazing response from the people of a different country. I was simply looking forward to a break from work and start films when the offer to do Bombay Crush came along and I decided to take it up. This was a fantastic transition from television for anyone wanting to do films or stage shows, in fact it is as good as doing films. The musical play was on the lines of Bombay Dreams and is very colorful, challenging, energetic and entertaining.

How was the experience of working in a musical stage show and were you expecting this kind of appreciation from the South Africans?
Bombay Crush is one of the most successful shows in South Africa. We had a wide coverage of our show by all the major channels of the world (read Rueters) and I was called at every important social gathering with the who's who there. The visual impact of the stage, costumes were excellent that it looks as good as a

"People were floored by my performance"

film. We had about 102 shows in all and had 80 percent audience for each show starting first December. I was in 20 songs of the play and of 19 scenes I was in 17 of them. It would take me 45 minutes to cross the audience section after the play so the level of appreciation and recognition was very high. The Black and Polish women would come at my doorstep to appreciate my work and I'd be complemented 50 times a day for my performance,so floored would they be with everything.

So what changes has the trip brought about in you?
I have become half my size, lost my fat. So the people back home can see a leaner me now. I am smiling and looking for fresh work. The play was physically tiring and this is the biggest effort I have made ever for anything but it was all truly worth it. Well I did not pick up their lingo but they have picked up mine.

Have you got more offers from them?

"I represented India"

Yes. In fact I'd go back to South Africa in a month's time as the show will travel all over the world. I have assigned two agents there who will be looking at celebrity endorsements and projects for me. I might do a Canadian co-production (television project) if all goes well. Zee shows are very popular there, so Piya Ka Ghar made me a known face there already besides there are loads of Indians who loved me. I was a symbol of India, Indian television and Bollywood. I am going to premiere a Fasion Show in South Africa soon.

Was the remuneration better than the shows you were doing here?
Definitely, the remuneration is quite good. In India if you do plays you get paid nothing. But it isn't like getting paid for doing four lead shows in India but the positive feedback I got is vital.

Narayani Shastri was to join you in South Africa?
Yes , I wanted her to be there as the show was a huge success and Durban is a beautiful city. Piya Ka Ghar was coming to an end and I thought she wanted a break from work besides South Africa is a beautiful place and I thought she could join me there to check out the place and the play. But due to her commitments

"I will be choosy for work"

she could not make it there. I'd say South Africa has fallen in love with me.
I wanted my family also to join me there.But soon when the show travels all over then probably Narayani and my family can join me.

So are you still seeing Narayani?

Yes. It's the same status as before. We are still fantastic friends.(smiles)

What are you looking forward to now in terms of work?
People are going to see me more often. I don't want to do the run of the mill lead character. I am going to give the DVD of Bombay Crush to the channels in India (which will be reaching me in ten days time. I plan to concentrate on one show at a time which has to be exclusive therefore I am going to be very choosy.

"I wanted Narayani to join me in Durban"

So did you miss your folks in the last five months and when do you plan to meet up with them?
I have just come back. I plan to meet up my friends here and go to Delhi in second week of March as my family is dying to meet me.
I missed India alot. I could not be back home for Diwali,Christmas,New Years and Valentines Day. I however was in touch with most of my people through phone but then at the end of it,it was all worth the effort.