**Vicky Kaushal’s Journey: From Struggles to Stardom with ‘Chhava’**
Vicky Kaushal, known for his versatility in Bollywood, has once again proven his mettle with the historical drama *Chhava*. The movie, depicting the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, has shattered box office records, changing the industry’s perception of Vicky. However, his success story wasn’t an overnight achievement. From struggling in Mumbai’s chawls to engineering, and eventually making a name for himself in Bollywood, Vicky’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
### **Early Life and Family Background**
Born in a chawl in Malad, Mumbai, Vicky was raised in a modest household. His father, Sham Kaushal, was a stuntman who later became an action director. Despite being in the film industry, his father kept Vicky away from its glamour. His first encounter with a film set was during the shooting of *Fiza* when he was about ten years old. Watching Hrithik Roshan act was an enthralling experience, but the repetitive takes made him realize the hard work behind the scenes.
### **Engineering Days and the Career Shift**
Vicky pursued a degree in electronics and telecommunications engineering from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology. While participating in college plays, he discovered his passion for acting. During an industrial visit, he observed the monotonous life of engineers and decided that a 9-to-5 job was not for him. Though he secured a placement interview, his heart was not in it. He strategically used dialogues from *Prison Break* to showcase confidence during the interview, but deep down, he knew engineering wasn’t his calling.
### **Breaking into Bollywood**
Vicky’s decision to pursue acting didn’t sit well with his family. His father, having witnessed the struggles of the industry, was hesitant and made it clear that he wouldn’t help Vicky find work. Undeterred, in 2009, Vicky enrolled at Kishore Namit Kapoor’s acting institute to test whether he could take acting seriously. His goal was to understand the filmmaking process and decide if he could sustain himself in this career. He boldly declared that within five to six years, people would see his posters in movie theatres.
True to his words, exactly six years later, in 2015, *Masaan* was released, marking his breakthrough.
### **Early Struggles and Gangs of Wasseypur Experience**
Before *Masaan*, Vicky worked as an assistant director on *Gangs of Wasseypur*, learning the nuances of filmmaking under Anurag Kashyap. The shoot involved dangerous encounters, including an instance where Vicky and his team were caught filming illegal sand mining and were nearly beaten up. Another time, he even spent a night in jail due to shooting-related issues.
### **Career Breakthrough and Notable Performances**
After *Masaan*, Vicky received multiple offers but was wary of being typecast as a small-town boy. His next significant role came in *Raman Raghav 2.0*, directed by Anurag Kashyap. Playing a drug-addicted cop, he immersed himself so deeply into the character that he disconnected from his family and friends during the shoot. His dedication was evident when he unintentionally injured actress Sobhita Dhulipala during a scene.
Some of his other career-defining performances include:
– **Rajeev in *Raazi*** – He played Iqbal Syed, a Pakistani army officer married to an Indian spy, played by Alia Bhatt. His nuanced performance won hearts.
– **Udham Singh in *Sardar Udham*** – His portrayal of the revolutionary was critically acclaimed, with an emotionally impactful climax that left audiences in awe.
– **Kamli in *Sanju*** – Loosely based on Sanjay Dutt’s close friend Paresh Ghelani, this role showcased his impeccable comic timing and emotional depth.
### **Challenges and Sacrifices**
Despite his impressive portfolio, Vicky has had his fair share of setbacks. His ambitious film *The Immortal Ashwatthama*, directed by Aditya Dhar, was shelved due to high budget concerns. Furthermore, he had to turn down *Singham Again* due to scheduling conflicts with *Chhava*.
However, his perseverance has paid off. With *Chhava* becoming a monstrous hit, his future in Bollywood looks brighter than ever.
### **Conclusion**
From facing rejections and hardships to now being one of Bollywood’s most bankable actors, Vicky Kaushal’s journey is a testament to his dedication and versatility. Whether it’s portraying historical figures, intense characters, or comic roles, he remains unstoppable. With audiences and the industry acknowledging his grit and talent, the best is yet to come.
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