Shabiha Nur Khatoon
Little wonder Ruhana Khanna has won millions of hearts with her performance in the tele serial ‘Gangaa’
After Anandi who gained recognition for her role in ‘Balika Vadhu’, another child artiste, Ruhana Khanna, aka Gangaa has won millions of hearts with her performances, and her popularity forced the makers to get her back in the show. We are talking about &TV’s ‘Gangaa’ where Ruhana plays the title role.
The Delhi-based Ruhana made her debut on the small screen as the lead in ‘Gangaa’. Before daily soaps, she was involved in modelling. In 2013, she won the ‘Miss Global’ title at the Global Kids Fashion Show. In 2015, she featured in ‘Josh Plus’, a magazine published by ‘Dainik Jagran’.
Ruhana has featured in several ads for Rasna, Colgate, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank. Besides, as a model Ruhana has worked in short films. The small wonder was also seen in one of the episodes of ‘Saavdhan India’ on Life Ok.
“When I was four years old, my dance teacher recommended me as a participant in one TV show. I not just participated but won the title, and thereby laid the foundation of my modeling career. Many modelling assignments came my way but ‘Gangaa’ was the first TV serial that fetched me a lot of appreciation,” says the little star.
Ruhana’s mother Parsee Khanna says her daughter is an expert at wearing the sari. “In just six months of shooting for ‘Gangaa’, Ruhana has become an expert and doesn’t need help with working the sari nicely without any assistance whatsoever. She can carry the traditional wear all day with ease. In fact, Ruhana is so comfortable that she can play football and skip between the shoots in a sari,” says Parsee.
Seven-year-old Ruhana comes first in her class. Although she is often unable to attend school, the tiny star manages to keep track of all the latest assignments in school. She thanks her teachers for their love and cooperation.
“Ruhana’s school is in Delhi so we have to travel to Delhi whenever her exams approach. She always carries her textbooks to the shooting sets,” says her mother.
Guess who is Ruhana’s favourite character on the small screen? It’s Angoori Tiwari from the comedy show ‘Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain’. Ruhana adores the character played by Shilpa Shinde. Interestingly, the shooting sets of the two tele serials lie exactly opposite each other, so whenever Ruhana finishes her shot she rushes to Shilpa’s set to meet her.
The on-screen Gangaa has a feeling that she is set for school when going for shooting. Ruhana who loves her character and enjoys shooting with her co-stars says: “I feel like I am going to school and the atmosphere is very friendly. I enjoy myself on the sets.” One thing she hates about her role is crying out aloud.
Ruhana’s mother shares a funny experience. “While shooting beside a river in Varanasi in December when the mercury had fallen well below comfort, Ruhana had to climb down the riverbank into the water for a shot with Sushmita Mukherjee. While she enacted the scene, I burst into tears believing she was shivering; but after the shot was over the director told me Ruhana had asked his permission to play in the water and pointed out how she was enjoying herself,” adds Parsee.
About her future plans, Ruhana says she wants to become a doctor. The six-year-old who plays a young widow ‘Gangaa’ has shot for a music video on the importance of raising the girl child with love.
Ruhana has also shot for the music video titled ‘O Meri Jaan’. She says: “A daughter is always papa’s princess and my papa will always be my first love. My father has taught me to speak nicely and always respect elders. The experience of being a part of the video was wonderful.”
Sneak Peek
Favoutite actor: Salman Khan
Favourite movie: ‘Bhajrangi Bhaijaan’
Hobbies: Swimming, reading, Taekwondo, spending time with pets and cycling
Awards: ITA, ‘Best Child Artiste award’ in 2015 and ‘Zee Rishtey Awards’ for Best show ‘Gangaa’ in 2015
