EastEnders Avani star’s surprising age gap between her on-screen dad Ravi Gulati
Tonight's EastEnders will involve emotional scenes between Avani and Ravi, and although the two play father and daughter in the show - they're similar in age in real life
EastEnders Avani star’s surprising age gap between her on-screen dad Ravi Gulati
It’s been an emotional week in EastEnders for 15-year-old Avani Nandra-Hart as she was strip-searched by police. It came after they suspected she was carrying drugs after dealer Marvin dropped them by her feet.
Avani was visibly upset by the serch, which happened without the supervision or knowledge of her mum Priya or dad Ravi as the pair both failed to pick up their phones. Last night, Avani was seen passed out in the playground as she drowned her sorrows, and tonight she’s found by her worried father who soon realises something is badly wrong.
Despite playing her father on the BBC soap, actor Aaron Thiara, who plays Ravi, and actress Aaliyah James, who plays Avani are much closer in age off screen. In fact, they’re only seven years apart.
Aaliyah plays 15-year-old Avani in the soap, although she’s actually 24 in real life. Aaron plays 38 year old Ravi in the soap, but he’s only 31 – turning 32 in May.
Ravi and Avani’s on screen age gap is much bigger than their off screen age gap(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
The age gap between Aaliyah and Sophie Khan Levy, who plays Avani’s mum Priya, is also much smaller than what is portrayed on the show. Sophie is 35 years old, meaning there’s only an 11 year age gap between herself and her on-screen daughter.
Aaliyah has previously joked about playing a much younger character, as she posted on her birthday: “Guys… I’m now 15.. I mean 24 years old.”
Since her arrival, Avani has been involved in some hard-hitting storylines. During New Year, her grandfather Nish Panesar fell to his d.e.a.t.h when he was pushed by her father, Ravi. The harrowing events happened at Suki and Eve’s wedding in which Nish tried to poison the pair.
Avani was strip-searched in emotional scenes this week(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Ravi has also been involved in some huge storyline since his arrival in 2022. Most recently, he was involved in the love triangle with Denise Fox and Jack Branning. Viewers were given the chance to vote for who they wanted Denise to end up with, with Jack winning the public vote.
Fans were left ‘fuming’ when the results were announced, with many wanting Ravi and Denise to end up together, as they took to X, formerly known on Twitter, at the time of the live episode.
“What boring b*****ds voted for jack ugh what a YAWN FEST #EastEnders #EastEnders40,” wrote one, while another said: “#EELive,” one viewer wrote. Another said: “Denise is p*****g me off. this was the wrong choice #EastEnders40.”
EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
