The many moods of Vicky Kaushal on Bombay Times Lounge

On the maiden episode of the talk show,

Bombay Times Lounge

, which dropped now, Vicky Kaushal was at his charming best as he captured the attention of the audience present with a heartfelt conversation – no filters, nothing unreal. Just like what this show promises to be. Many more such riveting conversations are coming up soon, but now, watch this dynamo of an actor on the Bombay Times Lounge.
You rose to stardom slowly, but steadily. Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) changed the game for you, and since then, there has been no looking back. However, you continue to say, “I haven’t earned that title (star) yet”. Why? Is it still sinking in?
I feel that in today’s time, we often get confused, and equal stardom to what’s trending. Every week, there’s a new star because every week, a new actor is trending. I feel that stardom should be linked to legacy, it should not be linked to just a hashtag. The day a really bad trailer or poster of a film drops, and yet, a lot of people go in to watch that actor on screen – that’s stardom. I think stardom has to be cultivated over a series of films and with a body of work. This year is my tenth year here (film industry), and I still have a lot to do and a lot to learn. Ten years ago, I couldn’t have thought my journey would be as beautiful as this.
From doing multiple auditions, making a debut with an incredible film like Masaan, which was not mainstream, to finding a strong foothold as a leading man in commercial Hindi cinema – in the last ten years, you’ve had such an interesting mix of experiences. I remember you once told me that you never had a Plan B. Were you super confident that you would make it so far?

I never believe in a Plan B, and it’s not a calculative decision. It makes me give more and whatever I have to Plan A. Today, giving everything to whatever you want to do is the bare minimum. Usse kum kar rahe ho toh bahut kum kar rahe ho. Knowing that there is a Plan B to fall back on only makes me weaker. Also, for me, the leading man part came in much later. Back in 2009 when I finished college and enrolled in an acting school, tab hero launch hote thay. Right now, such a beautiful phase is going on that any new actor who has done a great job, even if it’s two scenes, they will get noticed and that will get them better opportunities.

You are enjoying success, fame and all of those things that come with stardom. Yet, there is something so real and rooted about you. What keeps you so grounded?
I think that credit has to go to my parents, because what I am and how I am, that’s something that has been instilled in me for years through my parents, it is part of my upbringing. They truly deserve credit for it.
Is it also because you’ve seen humble beginnings? You’ve seen your father (action director Sham Kaushal) struggle to reach where he has. So, have those experiences and memories ensured you never take stardom or success for granted?
Of course, it’s stemmed from there as well. When you were born in a chawl, which was a 10×10 room, and your dad was a stuntman who was setting himself on fire, jumping from the 10th floor of a building to get that per day income, you see things differently. My parents never shied away from sharing their struggles to make us realise what is important and how it’s not easy. So, I think somewhere subconsciously, wahi se sab kuch ki shuruwat hoti hai. Also, in this profession, everything is so fragile – your stardom, the love, recognition, it’s all so fragile that you can’t ever take them for granted. It’s just one film at a time and then you keep moving forward.
Is Katrina your most honest critic?
Yes, she is, and sometimes she’s just too honest, and I tell her thoda sa sugar-coat kar de, yaar.

If you were to choose Vicky, the comedy actor, Vicky, the action hero or Vicky, the romantic lead, which one would you pick?
Action. I think action is in my blood.
Both Katrina and you have had a fascinating journey in the movies, and she’s been a huge star for so long. Do both of you learn from each other’s experiences and how much do you creatively feed off each other?
She’s had a far longer journey than I have and what a fabulous journey… and mega stardom in that sense. So, of course, I learn a lot from her journey because she’s really hustled through her way and worked very, very hard. When she has her blinkers on, nobody can take that focus off her and that’s why she is where she is. Also, whenever I’m discussing something with her, in terms of scripts or my creative matters, she really has a perspective which is very objective, and that’s not easy when you are a couple. She always has a great perspective, which really helps.
Watch the full interview on the Bombay Times YouTube channel –