Vicky Kaushal and His Father: A Relationship That Shaped His Stardom

Behind the spotlight and the accolades lies a story of struggle, determination, and a family bound by dreams.

Born in a 10x10 chawl in Mumbai, Vicky Kaushal grew up in a tight-knit family that had seen its share of hardships. His father, Sham Kaushal, began his career as a stuntman, staying in a paying guest accommodation with ten other Punjabi men. It was in those challenging years that Sham discovered his calling in cinema. Determined to provide a stable future for his children, he worked tirelessly, never letting his struggles diminish his spirit.

Sham’s journey from a stuntman to a renowned action director became the foundation of the Kaushal family's inspiring story.

Vicky, who graduated with an engineering degree, was initially encouraged by his father to pursue a stable career. But the allure of cinema proved irresistible. With Sham’s support, Vicky joined the industry, starting from the ground up.

Sham used his industry connections just once—to secure Vicky an apprenticeship on Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’. There, Vicky learned that nothing comes easy, from candid shoots that sometimes landed them in trouble to long hours on set.

Vicky’s big break came with ‘Masaan’, a film that showcased his raw talent and set him on the path to becoming one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed actors. Movies like ‘Uri’ and ‘Sardar Udham’ cemented his place as a powerhouse performer.

Through it all, the family remained Vicky’s anchor.

Sham Kaushal, with his deep understanding of the film trade, became Vicky’s go-to advisor for scripts and box office insights.

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Vicky Kaushal was asked who in his household offers the most precise advice and has the best understanding of box office dynamics.

Vicky revealed that while his family encourages him to trust his instincts when choosing scripts, his first call for script-related advice is always to his father, Sham Kaushal, followed by his wife, Katrina Kaif.

He added that after a film’s release, he once again turns to his father, who closely monitors industry trends, trade insights, and box office performance.

Vicky’s emotional resilience stems from lessons learned from his father. Sham never hid his struggles, openly sharing moments of vulnerability.

In an interview, Vicky Kaushal had opened up about his father being an “atypical figure” in their family. He shared how his father has always emphasized emotional strength.

“He openly told us, ‘I felt humiliated on set today, and I came back and cried to your mom.’ These were things he said to us as children. My mom would also share stories about incidents when he faced such moments—like the time a senior scolded him in front of the entire set while he was just a stuntman. He came home and cried. None of this was ever hidden from us. He even cried in front of us,” Vicky recalled during an interview with ‘We Are Yuvaa’.

Despite these vulnerabilities, Sham Kaushal ensured that his sons grew up as strong individuals, equipped to face life’s challenges. He would remind Vicky and Sunny, “Things won’t always go in your favor. Most of the time, they’ll be against you—that’s just how life is.” These lessons became a cornerstone of their upbringing.

Like many children, Vicky and Sunny were initially intimidated by their father and often turned to their mother for support.

“Mom was the good cop, and he was the bad cop. Back then, we were afraid to open up to him and would always confide in mom,” Vicky shared.

Over time, however, Sham’s relationship with his sons evolved.

“Now, he’s really cool and chill, but back then, we were quite scared to talk to him openly,” Vicky added.

Through his candidness and tough love, Sham Kaushal instilled resilience in his children, shaping them into the strong individuals they are today.