Vicky Kaushal

Vicky Kaushal's ascent from the dusty, humble streets of suburban Mumbai to the glimmering heights of Bollywood epitomizes not only personal perseverance but also the dynamism of Hindi cinema. Born on May 16, 1988, to Sham Kaushal, a seasoned action director, and his wife Veena Kaushal, Vicky grew up observing the nuanced art of filmmaking. While Sham's career behind the camera exposed young Vicky to the world of cinema, it was not immediately apparent that Vicky would follow a similar trajectory; his initial path seemed more inclined towards academics. A graduate in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering, Kaushal once seemed poised to embark on a conventional career. However, his true calling beckoned, and with a resolve unburdened by the glamour yet unshackled by expectation, he submerged himself into the world of dramatic arts. Enrolling in an acting course, Kaushal honed his craft under the guidance of Kishore Namit Kapoor, a revered acting teacher in Mumbai. This foundational training paid homage to the old-world practice of method acting, an influence that would become distinctively evident in his body of work. Kaushal’s cinematic journey began behind the scenes as an assistant director to Anurag Kashyap on the film "Gangs of Wasseypur" in 2012, where he was both a student and an observer, absorbing the director’s gritty, raw style. His relationships with mentors like Kashyap would prove pivotal, helping him carve his debut with a short yet compelling role as a cop in Kashyap's "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana" (2012). It was, however, Neeraj Ghaywan's "Masaan" (2015) that served as Kaushal's breakout—a film celebrated for its poignant narrative and raw depiction of life along the Ganges in Banaras. Kaushal’s portrayal of Deepak, a lower-caste boy struggling against societal constraints, was done with an understated gravitas that upended the stereotypical Bollywood hero trope. His performance was lauded across the festival circuit, earning him the IIFA and Screen Awards for Best Male Debut, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Kaushal’s trajectory thereafter was marked by a series of calculated choices, reflecting a preference for roles with substance over those purely crafted for box-office draw. In 2016, he ventured into psychological territory with "Raman Raghav 2.0," again collaborating with Kashyap. Here, he showcased an unnerving portrayal of a morally ambiguous police officer, capturing the volatility of human dualities with a charismatic flair. It was followed by lighter, yet impactful, roles in "Zubaan" and the romantic comedy "Love Per Square Foot." However, the year 2018 turned pivotal, as Kaushal emerged as one of Bollywood's most versatile actors, featuring in a slew of critically acclaimed films. In "Raazi," directed by Meghna Gulzar, he played the role of Iqbal Syed, a Pakistani army officer, opposite Alia Bhatt. His understated performance brought depth and complexity to a character often painted with broad strokes in mainstream cinema. Kaushal's foray into the digital space with Netflix's "Lust Stories" further cemented his reputation as a risk-taker, unafraid to defy the conventions of the Indian hero. Furthermore, his portrayal of the complex, conflicted character Kamli in Rajkumar Hirani's "Sanju," based on the turbulent life of actor Sanjay Dutt, was met with acclaim. Yet, it was "Uri: The Surgical Strike" that catapulted Vicky Kaushal into the central orbit of mainstream Bollywood. The film, chronicling the Indian army's surgical strikes following the Uri attack, presented Kaushal in a patriotic, transformative avatar, earning the film commercial success and Kaushal, his first National Film Award for Best Actor. The subsequent years saw Kaushal navigate the echelons of stardom, yet he never shied away from roles that challenged and expanded his repertoire. In "Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship," he ventured into the horror genre—a rare choice for an A-list actor, highlighting his commitment to diversity. In 2021, his starring role in "Sardar Udham," directed by Shoojit Sircar, further demonstrated his prowess; the film delved deep into the psyche of the revolutionary Udham Singh with Kaushal embodying both the character’s ferocity and fragility. As Kaushal continues to evolve as an artist, his choices reflect a cinema that is as much about introspection as it is about evolution. Marrying commercial viability with narrative depth, Kaushal’s oeuvre represents the new face of Bollywood: diverse, dynamic, and disruptively bold. His journey from the edges of the industry to its vanguard is a testimony to the changing landscapes of Indian cinema, where meritocracy battles tradition, and stories transcend borders.