Kanpur is my home and Lucknow is now my sasural: Gautam Rode

A visit to Kanpur recently, turned out to be a nostalgic one for actor Gautam Rode. Gautam, who is an established name in television, was in the city to promote his new show 'Kaal Bhairav Rahasya 2.' Having a strong city connect, Gautam told us how, as a kid, he used to spend his vacations in Kanpur. "Meri mother ka nanihal Kanpur mein hai. Every year, till class ninth, I used to visit Kanpur during my vacations. I still remember during vacations, I used to have great fun with my relatives. Meri mother ke ek cousin (Bittu bhai) uss waqt college president hua karte thay aur unki bike ke number plate par adhyaksh likha hota tha. Unka Kanpur mein jalwa hi alag hua karta tha. So when I would be here, I would go with him to the university and I used to be very impressed with all the attention he used to get and because of him, I also used to get a lot of attention. Later, while returning home, he used to treat me to sweets and chaat. Bittu bhai had an amazing quality of solving any problem," shared Gautam.

Gautam Rode (BCCL/ IB Singh)

The 'Saraswati Chandra' actor adds, "Uss samay ki baat hi kuchh aur thi. Bahut saare students apni problems le kar hamare ghar aaya karte thay aur bhaiyya jhat se unn problems ko sort out kar dete thay. This time too, I will go and meet him and the rest of my family here."
After getting married to Lucknowite Pankhuri Awasthy, Gautam says his UP connect has become even stronger. "Whenever I am in UP, I feel as if I am at home. Kanpur is my home and Lucknow is now my sasural. After finishing off my professional obligations in Lucknow, I went to my in-laws place. Later, we went to a restaurant for dinner. Aaj itne samay baad sabse mil kar bahut aachha lagega. Bas mujhe lag raha hai ki main jaldi se apne relatives se milne ghar jaaun," says Gautam.
With tele serial 'Saraswatichandra,' Gautam established his image as a romantic actor. Ask him why he chose to do a mystery-thriller and he says, "As an actor I believe in doing all sorts of genres. In Maha Kumbh Ek Rahasaya Ek Kahani, my character revolved around fantasy and thrill. Similarly, in Suryaputra Karn my character was a mythological one. Being an actor I believe in doing a variety of roles so that the audience gets to see different shades of me."