Ravi Gulati (EastEnders)

Ravi Gulati is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders and is portrayed by Aaron Thiara. Ravi made his first appearance in episode 6515, originally broadcast on 4 July 2022. Ravi was introduced as a fellow prisoner of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and a former associate of Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Deol), though later revealed as the illegitimate son of Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) however viewers did not originally know this beforehand as there was no announcement prior to the plot-twist.

Since the characters first appearance, Ravi has been involved in with some of the serial's key storylines including being in multiple feuds with Kheerat, Nish, Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal), Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), and Eve Unwin (Heather Peace); reuniting with his estranged son Davinder "Nugget" Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury), murdering his adoptive father Ranveer Gulati (Anil Goutam) and letting his stepmother Suki believe that she killed him, seducing a married Denise and using her daughter Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams) to make her jealous, and discovering that he has another child, Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James).

Introduction and backstory


Executive producer Chris Clenshaw also added: "Ravi is captivating, cunning and dangerous, and can go from pleasant to menacing with very little warning – unlike Aaron who's a wonderful addition to the EastEnders cast. We're all excited to see Aaron bring the character to life and there's plenty of drama and shocking twists in store – wherever Ravi goes, trouble follows". Thiara's casting and character were also announced on the same day as his debut aired. Shaun Wren of Digital Spy described the character as "charming and charismatic" and "ruthless and unpredictable", while show bosses have also teased that Ravi is "willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants with no fear of the consequences". It was later revealed that Ravi is in fact the son of Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) – he had an affair with Ranveer Gulati's (Anil Goutam) wife Haspira and Ravi is then conceived. It is initially believed by viewers Ranveer was Ravi's father but this is revealed to be a lie. He also has an affair with Nina Gupta (Hersha Verity), Ranveer's wife, and this is unbeknownst to him.

Affair with Denise Fox
The storyline's build up to the affair is scenes where viewers can see Ravi and Denise Fox (Diane Parish) drinking together in Peggy's wine bar. He insists on walking her home but once they make it to the square, he attempts to make an advance. Denise quickly shuts Ravi down after much temptation because she realises how much she values her husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen). Ravi then deliberately starts to follow Denise around, even ending back up at her house. They start passionately kissing after Ravi reminds her of her current marital issues. After chemistry is developed between Ravi and Denise, she cannot help herself but entertain Ravi's attention as he is her only source at that time as the family are also struggling with Amy Mitchell's (Ellie Dadd) self-harm and Ricky Mitchell's (Frankie Day) teenage pregnancy with Lily Slater (Lillia Turner). In the light of recent events, Denise begins to struggle in her marriage and begins contracting feelings for Ravi. He invites Denise to a hotel, to which after much consideration she accepts. They meet in the hotel and begin again passionately kissing however Denise realises she can no longer go through with it. She is caught on CCTV at the hotel as Jack and Callum Highway (Tony Clay) are working on a case against Ravi. Denise then tells Ravi about the case and how Callum is aware of where she was, he begins to blackmail Denise. When she does not succumb to his demands, he begins dating her daughter Chelsea Fox (Zaraah Abrahams). After Denise's continuous meddling and discouragement, Chelsea begins a relationship for Ravi and provides him with a false alibi. The romance later ends after Denise steals Ravi's laptop and finds a CCTV recording of Ravi murdering Ranveer despite Ravi destroying the evidence. The affair is later revealed to Jack; the pair start publicly brawling outside the Walford East restaurant that Ravi owns. Ravi then puts himself on Jack's radar as Jack claims he will get him by the book.

Introduction of estranged daughter
On 21 September 2023, it was announced that Ravi and his son Davinder "Nugget" Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) would appear in a storyline central to their family that would lead to the introduction of his former lover and Nugget's mother, Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy). Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) was also announced as a new character, and was introduced as Ravi and Priya's secret daughter, and Nugget's sister. The characters and both James' and Khan Levy's casting details were announced on the same day. In the character's backstory, Priya became pregnant with Avani after the end of her relationship with Ravi, so he does not know about her existence upon her introduction. It was also revealed by Priya that Ranveer sexually assaulted her and paid her off to leave Ravi, Nugget and their family whilst she was pregnant with Avani. Nugget runs away to his mother after Suki reveals to him that Ravi murdered Ranveer. Nugget is found staying with Priya. Nugget is returned to Albert Square by Jack, Nish, Suki and Ravi. The next day, Priya, along with Avani, arrive in Walford. Scenes earlier showed Priya and Avani being evicted from their home, and so they scheme until Nish allows them stay.

Backstory
Ravi is the son of Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry) — he had an affair with Ranveer Gulati's (Anil Goutam) wife Haspira and Ravi is then conceived. Ranveer raises Ravi as his own though the childhood is not happy as in an argument with Ranveer as a teenager, he reveals that he is in fact not biologically his. His mother died during his adolescence. Due to his deranged childhood, Ravi ends up becoming a drug dealer and a teenage father to Nugget (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) with later established character Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy). Soon after Nugget's birth, Priya is paid off by Ranveer after he attempts to rape her and she leaves pregnant with Ravi's second child, Avani (Aaliyah James). Ravi ends up in prison, leaving Ranveer to raise Nugget.

2022–present
Ravi is first seen as an associate of Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden), who is trying to purchase a phone from him. After the phone is purchased and both Phil and Ravi are released from prison, Ravi is seen making an appearance in Albert Square and he is instantly recognised by Phil and former acquaintances Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Deol) and his brother Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota). It was then revealed that he was also their half-brother as Nish had an affair with his mother that ended up in his conception. Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) is initially very hostile towards Ravi and his son Davinder "Nugget" Gulati (Juhaim Rasul Choudhury) as she struggles to accept Nish's illegitimate child. When Ranveer attacks Suki and tries to rape her in exchange for a business contract, she strikes him over the head with a clock. Ravi walks in and begins covering up the crime for Suki, but Ranveer regains consciousness and begins attacking Ravi. Ravi delivers the final blow to Ranveer's head, killing him, and later disposes of his body. It was also revealed that he raped his personal assistant Priti, who had told Ravi about it. Ravi has a short-lived sexual affair with Ranveer's wife, Dr. Nina Gupta (Hersha Verity).

Ravi begins to try and charm Denise Fox (Diane Parish); she is going through extramarital issues and she begins to suppress her inner-torment for Ravi. She later kisses Ravi by mistake, but she starts to catch genuine feelings for him and they meet at a hotel. They are found out after Callum Highway (Tony Clay) views the surveillance footage of the hotel that Ravi was staying at that night and catches Denise arriving to the same hotel. Denise decides to not go through with the plan as she realises the importance of husband Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) and her family. She leaves the hotel back to Jack who she lies to. Jack later finds out and him and Ravi embark on a feud. He begins to use Denise's daughter Chelsea (Zaraah Abrahams) to make Denise jealous, and they embark on a brief romance – this is short-lived as Denise puts Chelsea off him. Chelsea becomes close to Ravi once again and they resume their fling, but he is only using her to intercept Jack's criminal investigation of him. When Ravi is arrested for possession of stolen goods, Chelsea stands by him and offers him a false alibi. Denise later reveals her previous affair with Ravi to Jack, who then exposes it to Chelsea. Chelsea also realises that Ravi has been using her and ends their relationship, though they later reconcile. When Whitney and Zack move into another flat, Chelsea invites Ravi and Nugget to move in. During their housewarming party, Denise reveals that Ravi had murdered Ranveer. Chelsea evicts Ravi and ends their relationship once again.

Ravi has Kheerat attacked in prison after Suki reveals the truth about Ranveer to Nugget. Nugget is distraught and later runs away, though he is found by Ravi, Nish and Jack staying with his mother, Priya. Priya then arrives back onto the Square for Nugget, to which she reveals to Ravi that he has a daughter, Avani, and is invited to stay by Nish. Ravi and Avani bond straight away – his children bring out more of a vulnerable side to the character as he did not receive the same amount of affection as a child. When Nish stumbles upon the truth of Suki's deceit with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), Nish orders Ravi to kill her. Ravi does go through with the plan but decides to spare Eve's life under the conditions she does not return to Albert Square. Nish and Ravi are later arrested after Eve plants sufficient evidence in Ravi's car to bring him and Nish to justice. Eve then returns to the square whilst they're in custody, and after a call from Jack, they are released. They return home on Christmas Day. Nish punches Ravi for dishonouring him. Ravi restrains Nish while Suki manages to flee and escape the house after months of Nish's coercive control.

In March 2024, Priya starts to embark on a fling with Martin Fowler (James Bye). They go for a date in Peggy's wine bar – much to Avani and Ravi's dismay. Avani wants Ravi and Priya to reconcile as she believes that there is still chemistry between the pair. Priya then arranges for the pair to have a date at home – they are disrupted by Ravi due to Avani's meddling in the situation. Avani tells Ravi that Priya is seriously ill so he would return home just before Martin arrives. They go on a second date in Walford East after Avani goes missing. The date is a disaster as Avani flirts with Martin, embarrasses Priya and then spills all of her drink jug over Martin.

Reception
Months after his arrival, Thiara won the award for Best Soap Newcomer at the 2022 Digital Spy Reader Awards. Thiara won Villain of the Year at the 2023 British Soap Awards, where he was also nominated for Best Newcomer. Later in 2023, he was nominated in the Serial Drama Performance category at the 27th National Television Awards, as well as being nominated for Best Villain at the 2023 Inside Soap Awards.