Avani Nandra-Hart is the daughter of Ravi Gulati and Priya Nandra-Hart and the sister of Davinder Gulati. She made her first appearance on 17 October 2023. She is portrayed by Aaliyah James.
Backstory
When Priya Nandra-Hart and Ravi Gulati were younger, they had a one night stand which resulted in her getting pregnant with their son Davinder. Ravi was twenty one and her dealer, he wanted to get rid of the baby but she said no. Not long before Davinder was born, Priya and Ravi decided to get into a relationship and to try and make it work for the sake of their son. However, Ravi's adoptive father Ranveer tells Priya to leave Davinder with Ravi and never return or else he will get her killed. He then bribed her with money and even tried to rape her before she managed to get away. Priya contemplated running away with Davinder but after finding out she was pregnant again, Priya decided to leave Daviner with Ravi, fearing that she would loose her unborn child too if she told Ravi about the pregnancy, therefore she never did. Ravi found it hard to bond with his son at first; however he eventually got there. When Davinder ran away from home in October 2023, it was revealed that he had being staying with his Mum and his sister Avani - much to Ravi's shock when he found out she was his daughter.
Storylines
2023 to present: Arrival, family reunion and social conflicts
Avani arrives in Walford and begins flirting with Martin Fowler, creeping him out as he immediately realises she is under age. Martin later realises Avani has stolen money from his fruit and vegetable stall and finds her outside The Queen Victoria and asks for his money back, Avani gives Martin his money back and Martin tells her to stay out of trouble. Avani later sees her mother Priya arguing with Ravi Gulati, Priya then reveals to Avani that Ravi is her father, leaving Ravi shocked. Ravi and Priya talk in the kitchen and Ravi talk in the kitchen and Ravi demands to know why Priya left, Priya reveals that Ranveer tried to rape her and then paid her to leave Ravi and Davinder and threatened to have her killed if she returned. Despite Priya's revelation Ravi insists all Priya had to do was call him, Ravi then says that he and Davinder can do better than her, an upset Priya then storms out. Ravi then spends time getting to know Avani and he says he could be a good father to her, Avani responds by telling Ravi that she doesn't need a father and says that Priya tried her best to raise Avani and she asks Ravi to apologise for the things he said to Priya and then she might get to know him. Ravi later apologies to Priya but Priya takes Avani and leaves. Priya and Avani later return and are asked by Nish to move in after they were kicked out of their flat.
When Nish finds out that Avani hasn't been to school since Lockdown (Covid-19 Pandemic) him and Ravi help Avani get back to school. Priya later kisses Nish but he pulls away but both of them are caught by Suki and Vinny. Nish then protests his innocence and kicks Priya and Avani out of the house, Suki later sees Eve Unwin who tells her that she's happy for Suki to have more of her family around and that she's not alone with Nish. Suki decides to let Priya and Avani stay, Priya later tells Suki that she can tell that Suki doesn't love Nish and that she would never have made a move if she thought for one second that they were happy.
Prior to Christmas day Nish discovers Suki's affair with Eve and on Christmas day Suki attempts to leave Nish. Suki says she's going to the bathroom but as Nish predicted, she makes a run for the door, Nish catches her in the act and forces her to come back to the dinner table, despite her saying she doesn't want to. Avani then adds on that "You can't force her!" however Nish angrily screams at her and tells her to shut up, Suki then runs into the kitchen and tries to get to the back door but she is quickly cornered by Nish until Ravi saves her. grabs Nish and surprisingly pins him against the worktop - giving Suki the opportunity to escape. Suki runs and looks for Eve but a cautious Stacey notices Suki panicking and Suki shouts that Nish is after her so Stacey and Suki seek safety in the Vic. Nish is later attacked and nearly killed after he is struck with a bottle by Denise after he attempts to abduct Suki and Keanu is killed by Linda Carter after he tried to kill Sharon. Denise, Sharon, Linda, Stacey, Kathy and Suki then hide Keanu's body in the recently burned down café and call an ambulance for Nish.
The six women then blame Keanu for Nish's attack when questioned by the police, Nish is then rushed to hospital with Ravi, Suki and Vinny going to see him. Nish is placed in an induced coma, Ravi believes Suki and the rest of the women's story about Keanu attacking Nish and tells Vinny that if Nish says any different then he won't believe Nish's lies anymore. When Nish wakes up from his coma Suki convinces the Panesar's (who are still angry about Nish's actions at Christmas) to go to the hospital and see him, Priya waits with Ravi while Avani and Davinder go to see him. Nish agrees to give Suki a divorce and seemingly accepts that their marriage is over. Vinny is proud of Nish and believes they can all move on however Nish is visibly angry behind Vinny’s back hinting that Nish is biding his time.
On 29 January 2024 Denzel and Amy are waiting to have lunch when bully Logan pushes in front of them, angering Denzel. He asks why he did it and Logan makes a rude comment to Amy about what she does when she gets upset - linking to her self harm. She then storms off, Denzel follows. When Avani tells Denzel that what Logan said was out of order, Denzel briefly stands up to him before backing off. Later when Denzel later is walking home, Logan and his gang beat up Denzel and Yolande Trueman but they are saved by Avani. The next day Denzel is angered when Avani watches a video of the attack, he smashes the phone out of Avani's hand and they both call him a coward. Denzel and Davinder have a fight which is separated by Priya, when Ravi hears about the fight he takes Denzel and Davinder to the gym for boxing training and Davinder and Denzel make up.
Avani tests her skills against Denzel in the ring which George and Eddie Knight supervise, Avani tries to land some hits but Denzel gets the upper hand and lands two good hits on her, and she leaves the ring. Later on, Avani and Davinder visit Denzel at the gym and Avani acts playfully and then damages a trophy, this attracts the attention of Phil Mitchell who shouts at her, this costs Denzel his part-time job at the gym. Avani insults Phil and the stench of the gym. Continuing with her rebellious acts, it soon comes to light that Avani has some vapes which she sells to friends, including Will Mitchell, which causes chaos between Priya and Honey Mitchell. Priya, knowing about the vapes, critiques Honey and Ravi, unbeknownst to the vapes, disciplines Avani and shows disappointment towards Priya for allowing it.
Davinder and Avani later realise that they miss Ravi and Priya being together, and they want a stable family again. So, they make a plan. Priya has a date with Martin Fowler and Avani 'helps' Ravi out by being a waiter that night, however, she rebelliously insults Martin and makes snide remarks, causing the date to quickly be over. When confronted about it, Avani tells Priya her true intentions to which Priya sympathises but refuses to get back with Ravi.
Later on, Nish suddenly returns after being kicked out by the family. He reveals to them all that he is sick and has limited time. Avani and Davinder sympathise with him and secretly meet up - though Ravi 'sees' through his lies, despite the beliefs of Ravi - Nish later proves that he is in fact sick and has a heart condition, which has drastically got worse. Nish is then allowed back into the family and moves into Ravi's flat. Avani and Davinder spend time with Nish and make the most of the time they have.
When things seem calmer, Avani, Davinder and Denzel are invited to a Teen Boxing Event, Avani prepares and goes in the ring, she successfully beats her opponent, overwhelming Ravi and her family with immense proudness and joy. As the celebrations commence, they suddenly find an unconscious Davinder in the playground. He is rushed to hospital and Doctors reveal that he has been taking steroids. Avani is shocked but is able to make Davinder smile, she sits with him during his recovery whilst the police discover who'd been dealing the steroids. Later that week, Nish reveals to the family, including Avani, that Priya tried to sleep with him as part of a prostitution deal for Nish's money when he passes. Avani doesn't initially believe it, but after some convincing, she stays with Ravi and leaves Priya behind - ghosting her as time progresses.
Some time later, it is revealed that Denzel was the steroid supplier, therefore Avani threatens Denzel in the street, revealing that everyone knows about his horrendous acts of steroid usage. Avani later steals some clothing from Penny Branning's stall which causes conflict between her and Penny. Penny demands for the clothes to be returned to which Ravi disciplines Avani for this act.
Avani learns about some gossip and gets into conflict with Sonia Fowler over her unethical act of stealing money. Avani discovers the next day that Priya trapped Nish alone without medication and is disgusted, ending things with Priya. Nish later enlists Avani's help to track down Ayesha Siddhu, an old acquaintance of the Panesars.
Avani later pretends to be 18 to get into a carnival night at Peggy's, but is unsuccessful and only Amy and Davinder get in. Barney Mitchell later moves into 1 Albert Square and talks to Avani more, and the two become best friends. When Avani begins seeing older boy Mason, a boy she met at Peggy's. Barney catches the two and tells him Avani lied about her age, however he doesn't care she is fifteen. Mason later pressures Avani into sleeping with him, and when she texts Mason saying she had condoms, being seen by Davinder. Davinder later tells their mother Priya, and Avani lies and says Barney is her boyfriend. After refusing to sleep with Mason, Avani returns home injured, and Davinder tells Ravi about what he saw on Avani's phone and that the contact she was texting was called M. Ravi assumed it is Barney after being told by Priya they were dating, and tracks him down and holds him over the railway bridge. Avani and Priya later find him, and Avani reveals it isn't Barney, and Ravi pulls him back over the bridge. Barney's father, Teddy, then declares war against the Gulati's and sets fire to their call centre.
Resident history
| Address | Years |
|---|---|
| Flat 61, Brixton | Prior to 2023-2023 |
| 41 Albert Square | 2023-2024 |
| 5A Albert Square | 2024 to present |
Fight count
Punches
- Naomi Stuart (3 July 2024) (x11) (during boxing)
Total: 1
Individual characters punched: 1
Total punches: 11
Background information
- On 21st September 2023, it was announced that Sophie Khan Levy and Aaliyah James had been casted as Ravi Gulati's ex-girlfriend and daughter and would appear from October 2023.