Vicky Kaushal

Vicky Kaushal’s first leading role came in Masaan (2015), directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. Both had previously worked as assistants on Gangs of Wasseypur, and Kaushal was cast after Rajkummar Rao exited the project. To prepare for his role as a young man from a lower socio-economic background, he spent time in Benaras, observing the local culture and mannerisms. The film premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, winning two awards, including the FIPRESCI Prize. Masaan received critical acclaim, with The New York Times recognizing it as a key example of realism in Indian cinema. Kaushal’s performance was praised, earning him the IIFA and Screen Award for Best Male Debut and a nomination for the Asian Film Award for Best Newcomer.

Kaushal had earlier filmed Zubaan, which premiered at the 2015 Busan International Film Festival. He portrayed a grieving man who develops a stammer after his father’s suicide, for which he worked with a speech therapist and interacted with real patients. Immersing himself in the role, he found it difficult to separate from the character and briefly developed a stammer in real life. His performance earned praise, with Variety calling him a “charismatic, naturally engaging talent.”

In Anurag Kashyap’s Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016), Kaushal played a troubled, drug-addicted police officer hunting a serial killer, portrayed by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. To convince Kashyap of his suitability for the role, he isolated himself for five days, repeatedly rehearsing lines, dehydrated himself, and smoked heavily, which impacted his health. The film premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight section and received positive reviews. Rediff.com described his performance as “brave” and “surprising,” showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Vicky Kaushal’s breakthrough came in 2018 with multiple successful projects. He played the lead in Love per Square Foot, India’s first Netflix original film, where his chemistry with Angira Dhar was highlighted. The film later screened at the Beijing International Film Festival.

Kaushal gained further recognition in Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi, portraying a Pakistani army officer who marries an Indian spy, played by Alia Bhatt. Drawn to the role’s complexity, he balanced vulnerability with authority. Critics praised his performance, with Daily News and Analysis calling him the “correct foil” to Bhatt’s character.

His biggest commercial success of 2018 was Sanju, where he played Kamli, a fictionalized version of Sanjay Dutt’s real-life friends. He prepared for the role by spending time with Paresh Ghelani, one of Dutt’s closest companions. Kaushal received widespread acclaim, holding his own against Ranbir Kapoor’s lead performance. Both Raazi and Sanju ranked among the highest-grossing films of 2018, with Sanju earning over ₹5.79 billion (US$67 million). For his performance, Kaushal won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.

That year, he also starred in Lust Stories, playing a newlywed man unaware of his wife’s dissatisfaction, and in Manmarziyaan, a romantic drama where he portrayed a commitment-phobic DJ. The latter premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, earning praise for his layered performance.

In 2019, Kaushal led Uri: The Surgical Strike, based on the 2016 Uri attack. He underwent intense military training and a strict diet to transform for the role. Despite some criticism of the film’s nationalistic tone, his performance was widely appreciated, with Rajeev Masand noting his “steely determination.” The film grossed over ₹3.5 billion (US$40 million) worldwide, making it one of India’s highest-grossing films. Kaushal won the National Film Award for Best Actor, shared with Ayushmann Khurrana.

In 2020, he starred in Bhoot – Part One: The Haunted Ship, playing a haunted shipping officer. He fractured his cheekbone during filming, but his performance was praised despite the film receiving mixed reviews. NDTV described him as “earnest” in an otherwise weak horror film.

In 2021, Vicky Kaushal starred in Sardar Udham, a biopic on freedom fighter Udham Singh, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video after multiple COVID-19 delays. To portray the younger version of Singh, Kaushal lost over 15 kg in two months. The film received critical acclaim, with reviewers calling it his best performance to date. He won the IIFA Award and Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor, along with a second Filmfare Best Actor nomination.

Seeking a lighter role after Sardar Udham, Kaushal played a struggling dancer in the comic thriller Govinda Naam Mera (2022), released on Disney+ Hotstar. While the film received mixed reviews, his against-type comic performance was appreciated. In 2023, he starred in Zara Hatke Zara Bachke with Sara Ali Khan, a romantic comedy about a couple seeking privacy in a joint family. The film exceeded box office expectations, with critics praising Kaushal’s charm and emotional depth.

He then played a small-town man in The Great Indian Family (2023), where his performance stood out despite the film’s weak reception. Later, he portrayed India’s first field marshal, Sam Manekshaw, in Sam Bahadur, his second collaboration with Meghna Gulzar. Kaushal aimed for historical accuracy, consulting Manekshaw’s grandson for insights. His portrayal was well received, and the film achieved moderate commercial success.

Kaushal had a special appearance in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki (2023), starring Shah Rukh Khan. His brief role was praised, and he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 2024, he starred in the comedy Bad Newz, with critics highlighting his strong comic timing. His upcoming projects include Chhaava, where he plays Chhatrapati Sambhaji, and Love & War, a romantic drama co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.

Off-screen work

Beyond acting, Vicky Kaushal has hosted and performed at major award shows like Filmfare, Zee Cine, and Screen Awards, as well as Femina Miss India’s 2019 grand finale. As a brand ambassador, he represents companies like Havells, Reliance Trends, Oppo, and Pearson in India, reportedly earning ₹20–30 million annually per brand.

Kaushal is actively involved in charity work, supporting environmental protection and women’s rights. He featured in a UN-backed music video raising awareness about air pollution and participated in Radio City’s initiative to fix Mumbai’s potholes. In 2018, he spoke at Barkha Dutt’s We The Women festival in support of the MeToo movement and later ran in the Nashik Marathon for gender equality.

His philanthropy extends to supporting underprivileged children through the “Just For Kicks” football program and visiting army personnel in Tawang for Jai Jawan. In 2019, he celebrated Diwali with cancer patients at Tata Memorial Centre. During the COVID-19 crisis, Kaushal donated ₹1 crore to relief funds, collaborated with GiveIndia to aid daily wage workers, and contributed ₹2.5 lakhs to CINTAA to support struggling artists during the pandemic’s second wave.