Vicky Kaushal, the best and most versatile actor of Bollywood, has established himself as an actor par excellence with his phenomenal performances and his unusual selection of roles. From a middle-class background to a National Award-winning actor, Vicky’s rags-to-riches story is a tribute to his commitment, talent, and love for acting.
Early Life and Education
Vicky Kaushal was born on May 16, 1988, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to a Punjabi family with deep roots in the film industry. His father, Sham Kaushal, is a well-known action director in Bollywood. Though his family has ties to the industry, Kaushal first embarked on a more conventional career. He studied in Mumbai and pursued a degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology. But acting was something he felt inclined towards and, therefore, left behind the career in engineering and acted upon his real passion in the film industry.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Kaushal initiated his career in the film industry as an assistant director in Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed film Gangs of Wasseypur (2012). Working on the sets provided him with an insight into the details of filmmaking and fortified him in his decision to become an actor. Kaushal began his acting career in the independent film Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (2012) in a minor role.
His breakthrough happened in 2015 with the film Masaan, by Neeraj Ghaywan. Kaushal’s work as Deepak, a youth struggling with love and loss amidst the holy city of Varanasi, met with widespread appreciation from critics. His sensitive acting earned him an IIFA Award for Best Male Debut and brought him in the spotlight both among filmmakers and viewers.
Rise to Stardom
Post-Masaan, Vicky Kaushal went on to select roles that tested him as an actor and also reflected his versatility. He performed commanding roles in movies such as Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016), Love Per Square Foot (2018), and Raazi (2018), in which he played the character of a Pakistani army officer opposite Alia Bhatt. His capacity to act out intense and complex characters with honesty made him stand out from his contemporaries.
Kaushal’s career highlight was Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), in which he starred as Major Vihaan Shergill, an Indian army major commanding a secret operation. The movie was a blockbuster hit at the box office and made Kaushal a mainstream actor. His commanding performance and the now-famous one-liner “How’s the Josh?” became a popular culture phenomenon. Kaushal’s performance won him a National Film Award for Best Actor, further solidifying his position among Bollywood’s highest-paid actors.
Venturing into New Frontiers
Kaushal kept venturing into different roles after Uri. He acted in Bhoot – Part One: The Haunted Ship (2020), delving into the horror space, and gave an emotional performance in Sardar Udham (2021), where he played the revolutionary Udham Singh. His commitment to playing real-life characters and attention to detail were widely appreciated.
Apart from his career as an actor, Kaushal has also emerged as a favorite in endorsements and fashion. His humble nature and friendly demeanor have endeared him to people as well as the media.
Personal Life and Media Presence
Vicky Kaushal’s life outside of work has also been a subject of media scrutiny. In December 2021, he wed Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif in an intimate but highly publicized wedding in Rajasthan. The union of the two has been widely reported by the media, and they are considered one of Bollywood’s most popular couples.
Awards and Recognition
Kaushal’s work in Indian cinema has been rewarded with numerous awards and nominations. Apart from the National Award for Uri, he has won numerous Filmfare Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards. His versatility and depth in art are demonstrated by his ease in moving between mainstream and parallel cinema.
Conclusion
Vicky Kaushal’s journey from a middle-class household to becoming one of Bollywood’s highest-regarded actors is a testament to his talent, dedication, and perseverance. Through his selection of offbeat roles and extraordinary performances, he has emerged as an indispensable part of the Indian film industry. Kaushal’s career continues to inspire budding actors and redefine the parameters of success in Bollywood.
