Maanvi Gagroo is an actress from Delhi who is shifted to Mumbai for work. She is best known for various Indian web series, primarily on TVF and GIrliyapa networks. She has also worked with Abhishek Bachchan in a TVC for Idea. She also tried her hand at the movies and starred in “PK” and “No One Killed Jessica”.
Her claim to fame was actually a web series named “TVF Pitchers” and then went on to do “Tripling”. Gagroo was last seen in “Tu Hain Mera Sunday.”
Here is an excerpt from an interview we did:
Lakshmi Tiwari (LT): Who is Maanvi Gagroo?
Maanvi Gagroo (MG): Maanvi Gagroo is an actor by profession and passion. The rest of her she’s still trying to figure out.
(LT): When did you start your career in the entertainment industry?
(MG): My career started with a very chance audition for a Disney show called “Dhoom Machao Dhoom”. I didn’t know it then but the decision to go for it, on a whim, turned out to be one of, if not the most, momentous decisions of my life.
(LT): How did you shift your focus from Bollywood to web series?
(MG): It wasn’t a conscious decision. Movie work was slow because a lot of the offers coming to me weren’t very exciting and the ones that were exciting, weren’t coming to me. So when “Tvf Pitchers” happened, and I was offered Shreya, I just had to do it. That was a project I absolutely had to be a part of. I knew something special was brewing.
(LT): You worked in “Pitchers” and “Tripling”. What did you enjoy more?
(MG): Pitchers was the most fun! The energy on set was palpable. Everyone was so collaborative, and there’s nothing more creative on a set than that synergy. So Pitchers was lovely.
Tripling was slightly bumpy because we were shooting outdoors. It was peak summer, and the sun was relentless. However when I see the product and the response to it I can’t help but feel proud of the whole team. It was a feat to pull off, and in hindsight, I think we managed fairly well.
(LT): Between Amol Parasar and Sumeet Vyas, whose company did you enjoy more?
(MG): I’ve known both of them for a while, since long before we shot the series. Amol and Sumeet were both cast before me so I was really glad to know that I’d be working with friends. In fact, the whole team was extremely easy to work with.
(LT): What is feminism for you?
(MG): Equality. Period. The absence of gender bias. The absence of gender stereotypes. Work measured purely on a scale of merit.
(LT): Your views about nepotism?
(MG): Nepotism exists everywhere. We all indulge in it in one way or another. For example, if I have to select people to work with, I would tend to look at friends first, since I’d already have a certain comfort with them. Of course, I would like to not compromise on talent but interpersonal relations matter, for sure. The problem is not that nepotism exists, the problem is that a) it exists at such a large scale and that we choose relationships over talent and b) there’s a lack of this acknowledgement. Denial of its existence is a problem.
(LT): You’ve done TVCs, web series and Bollywood. Are there any upcoming projects?
(MG): Honestly, I don’t know. For the sake of upward mobility, I’d like to say Hollywood or something international, but for now, I’m quite happy in this space. I want to do good stuff man, and it’s as simple as that, irrespective of the platform.
(LT): How did your parents react when you planned to start your career in the entertainment industry?
(MG): Oh they were and have continued to be wonderful. They’ve always supported and trusted my choices. In fact, my sister was the one who’d convinced me to do “Aamras”, which was my first film. I don’t think I’d be here without any of their love and support.
(LT): What’s your message for the youngsters who want to pursue their career in the entertainment industry?
(MG): I don’t think there’s one piece of advice I could give since everybody’s journey is different, every experience is different. However, two things. One, work on your craft. Whichever way you choose to do so but focus on that and the rest will fall into place. And two, know that it’s not easy. Acting may come easy but getting to act may not. It’s frustrating at times so be ready to hustle.