Avika Gor is an Indian film and television actress. She predominantly works in Tollywood film industry and Hindi Television Soap Operas.She is known for playing the role Anandi in Hindi Television series Balika Vadhu. Some of her successful films include Uyyala Jampala, Cinema Choopistha Mava and Raju Gari Gadhi 3.
She has undergone a dramatic transformation and the actor is inspiring everyone with her story about how she let go and didn’t respect her body which led to weight gain, insecurities and how she finally managed to get healthy and happy again.
Namita Nayyar:
Avika your journey in the entertainment industry has been one of a kind, you are still remembered as your debut role name “Anandi” from Balika Vadu. Share your journey and its influence on your personality.
Avika Gor:
My journey has been a rollercoaster, I have had fun and learnt so much in this journey. Not just Balika Vadhu but Sasural Simar ka, Ladoo including all the other movies and projects that I have done, I have learnt so much. It’s been an amazing journey where people still remember my first big break as ‘Aanandi’ and I feel blessed and lucky that this happen to me. And even now when I am travelling not just in India but abroad, people call me Aanandi and they adore me, so I really feel blessed
Namita Nayyar:
You have also worked on the Big screen in Tollywood, how was the experience and were you nervous when performing on the big screen?
Avika Gor:
It’s not very different as an actor, because you put in the same effort while working on a small screen as well. So that’s not different however the way things flow and the process is different. The way you go into the character for few months and once the project is done you enter another character. So that process of learning and unlearning a character is different and it’s very challenging. And I believe as an actor it is challenging to take up different characters and movies.
I try to do this, however, to learn more and entertain my audience with different kinds of work. I am glad that people are responding well, people are watching me on screen since I was a kid and they still appreciate the work that I do, which says a lot. Tollywood has been very welcoming for me since my very first films ‘Uyyala Jampala’, they have loved me as their daughter. Because they have loved ‘Aanandi’ it is a soft corner in their hearts, but I still try my best to look like a Telegu actress and act accordingly. That is why people have like me and I love working there. It’s been a very welcoming and loving industry, that has given me a chance to meet such great actors, team and technician, etc
Namita Nayyar:
Many times actresses from the television industry are stereotyped over the roles they play, you have broken the image. Your take on the same? Also You won SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut (Telugu) at 3rd South Indian International Movie Awards, for the role in the film Uyyala Jampala, share the experience.
Avika Gor:
In TV, Yes, it used to happen. Depending on the kind of character you do people start looking at you that way. For instance, if you do a negative character then the actor keeps getting an offer of the same kind of role. But now the audiences have evolved and are smarter, they understand it’s film-making, that this is fictional. They have started to under it’s the job of the actor, so the thought process has changed.
The kind of roles I have been receiving is very different from the ones that I have done as a kid. It’s fun and I like the reaction of my audience to my varied work. It is always fun to see that reaction and get projects you never expected. It’s interesting and being in the industry I have realized that it’s my responsibility to entertain people differently every time. Also, that I will have to prove myself not just as an actor but also as a likable face on-screen fitting to different characters.
There a lot of hard work that goes behind a project to build a character and I am glad that I was able to break that image. Not just Balika Vadhu image but Sasural Simar ka as well. Both were different though. Those were quite dramatic typical TV. I am glad I am not getting that kind of role now and the kind the work I am doing is very different. It’s fun to have experienced both now that I can experiment with my choices. The credit goes to the audiences as they accepted my work both ways. Glad they have been so kind to me.
About the debut award, it will be very close to my heart. Because as a female lead it was my first award at SIIMA, it was held in Malaysia I remember, all the great stars were there from Tollywood. I was so happy to receive that for my first film ‘Uyyala Jampala’. The character is very close to my heart, I related to her, I felt that I was playing myself and just having fun with the camera. Really happy with experience and hope that I receive many more.
Namita Nayyar:
Women Fitness India, talks about celebrity diets and fitness routine, Do you follow any particular diet? Your Favourite cuisines. You like to kick start your day with.
Avika Gor:
Diet! It’s my least favorite topic. I can’t diet, I love food. My weight included eating healthy. I have eaten dosa, rice everything while exercising. So my diet is not really a strict no-no for anything. Honestly, I did experiment a lot, trying different diets, Ketos, and everything, eventually realizing that none of that really helped me for the long term. Then I decided to take care of my calorie count that’s it. So even if I eat a lot, I try to burn a lot more. It’s just that. For me food is for the soul, I don’t get how people cannot/don’t eat aloo, french fries, etc(laughs).
Yeah, I am pretty spoilt that way and guess would remain to be so. Having said that I try to eat healthier, including more fiber to keep my body and skin good. It’s a struggle, even I love junk, but I have realized that there are better and healthier alternatives in food to opt for. So I tend to choose those. Just not physically you feel the effect internally. It’s shown on your skin, feels lighter. I like that change more. So that is my diet
My favourite cuisine has to be Chinese, I just love it. The butter chilly garlic noodles, my mouth waters as I name it. So that what I love.
I like to kickstart my day with fruits. Most probably papaya or watermelon or apples. These are my favorite, I choose one fruit a day since I don’t like the idea of mixing fruits. Starting my day with fruit makes me feel lighter and also it’s better to start your day (morning) with fiber, so it does that.
Namita Nayyar:
You went on to lose around 13 kgs recently. As mentioned by you “I still remember one night last year, when I looked at myself in the mirror and I broke down. I didn’t like what I saw.” Share your inspiring weight loss journey. 5 tips to combat body shaming.
Avika Gor:
So, 13kgs was a big deal, it happened in around 8-9months. But going in a flashback I actually lost 20 -21 kgs in total. In the beginning, it was a bit slow but the 13kgs that happened later was comparatively quick. I feel the change and it’s pretty amazing. I have started to love myself there is a lot of confidence now. That makes me feel really good about myself.
Really happy with my decision. I am proud of it too. Going back to when I opened at looking myself in the mirror and breaking down emotionally, all of it was challenging but it pushed me to do something about it. So this inspiring weight loss journey was through people especially fans and supporters, who noticed me getting healthy. They didn’t body shame but asked very politely ‘Are you eating a lot of Aloo’s’, ‘ You are getting chubbier’ , this made me realize that I have to take care of myself. Not that I was suffering from some health issue that I started gaining weight it’s just I was being lazy.
So that was the day I took an oath to take care of myself. This is how it happened.
Now talking about tips to take body shaming. So I didn’t receive it too much and tried taking if any as inspiringly. However, there were a lot of comments that I don’t look my age anymore or calling me fatter, but surprisingly that was the truth. I saw people my age being fitter doing things I can’t do, so these were my thoughts. I wanted to evolve and have positivity around me so it wasn’t a derogatory phrase for me. I learned a lot and only thought if my audiences love me so much and they are being honest to me, why not work towards my betterment. So on the whole I took this very positively and it worked for me
Namita Nayyar:
What comprises of your fitness routine? How do you manage it in between your acting and travelling schedules
Avika Gor:
I don’t follow a particular routine because of my shoot schedules. The basis of what I take care of is 15k-20k steps per day. Even on sets, I keep walking, and people be like what’s wrong with her. But I show off my step counts(haha) and they go like ok, this is about fitness.
I love doing different kinds of workout, like boxing, aerobics, a little bit of yoga, love doing weight training or cardio. There’s a lot that I keep doing but it’s never the same. I work for my body as per my body’s requirements and more of what I feel like doing. I feel like the results are better when you are comfortable doing what you do. You don’t have to push too hard. Yes, you will have to motivate yourself, can’t be lazy but to have a fit body, toned as or legs that you want, you have to keep working hard.
Once you know that you start putting in that extra effort. So I keep experimenting with my workout and training to keep myself motivated. Also, I like to have fun so I work out with my friends or trainer or even my mother sometimes. This reminds me that I am doing this for myself and nobody else.
Namita Nayyar:
You have done both reality shows and fiction shows, and recently started your production house as well. Which part of the journey/role you enjoy the most
Avika Gor:
Fiction, serials, movies, reality shows, production house, all of it has been very amazing. Difficult to choose from amongst these because all of these are like my baby. But if I were to say I have a soft corner for one, I will say TV as it all started from there.
I will always be grateful and will always remember the beautiful memories associated with my characters especially Aanandi, Roilo, etc. TV is going to be very special. But when I look forward, it includes production house big movies or international projects, as I recently shot for a Kazakhstani movie, where I am playing a popular Indian actor. I am doing so many different projects right now that I feel it all happened because of people me so much love and blessings. I think very blessed to have achieved so much at an age of 23. Looking forward to all the experiences I am gonna have not just with acting, dancing, directing, writing, production etc. All thanks to my audience.
Namita Nayyar:
The secret to flawless skin and beautiful hair, share your favorite organic rituals you swear by
Avika Gor:
I am the worst person to be asked this question. I am very lazy to do anything as simple as apply sunscreen and a moisturizer so(laughs). I am kind of run away from this because I feel this is too time taking. But over time I have realized that sunscreen is absolutely important for your skin. Moisturizing your fingertips and toes is also important. I take care now, unlike before. I groom myself properly. I keep myself hydrated every time, by drinking lots of water. Coconut water is very good or alkaline black water. There are so many things that you can do for your skin. Since I have very dry skin, so I need to keep moisturizing my body at regular intervals.
Hair, I always had voluminous curly hair because of genetics. My mom has really good hair. Also she took care of my hair , as she is a naturopathy doctor. Thus, she keeps giving me packs and oil to nourish my hair, so that credit goes to her. It smells weird but works wonders.
Lip balm is an absolute important to have.
Eat good, because it has a lot to go with your skin and body. It really depends on what goes inside your body. Fibre helps me to do that.
Namita Nayyar:
Being the cover girl for Women Fitness India, you are an inspiration for our readers please share your message for girls who aspire to be an actress like you.
Avika Gor:
All the very best, I am excited for you all. Being on the cover of ‘Women Fitness India’ to be honest I never thought this could happen. I had given up on myself thinking to be ugliest, cut to today talking about fitness I am surprised. This is special as it is my first fitness cover. Excited and looking forward to very thing. For ones who aspire to be an actor, if you want to do it, I will tell you it is difficult, alot of hardwork, time and energy that goes in. Not many people are able to do that but best wishes who wants to do this.
Namita Nayyar
Lastly, what are your upcoming future projects and message for your fans and social media followers
Avika Gor
I am doing 2 Telugu movies under my productions with presenters and co-producers. Next I have a movies with Pupil media and Agarwal wit hero Kalyan Dev, again a Telegu movie. It is a huge project that I am really looking forward to. A couple of other projects in Telugu, yet to be announced. I just shot for a Kazakhstani film. I am playing myself in that movie. For Kazakhstan Avika Gore is a big deal so, we had a lot of fun shooting in Alaniya near Antalya in Turkey. So finished that. A lot happening and super excited. Lastly I will promise my audience that I will be dancing more because my fans keeps saying me on social media of when I meet them that we love seeing you dance. So I’ll take proper training ans do that.
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