Vicky Kaushal - Engineer Se Actor Banne Tak Ka Safar | Struggle, Mehnat Aur Zindagi | TRS हिंदी

The first thing was that, I didn't know where I could get this job. Where are the auditions held? And wherever I used to go for auditions, how did 150 people reach there already? This is Vicky Kaushal's introduction to the podcasting world. I feel a very intense energy from you. Engineering, bro. The ability to reverse engineer is my biggest gift of engineering. A lot of hard work has gone into it. Struggled a lot, man. I mean, you want this, but you don't know how you'll get it. Reverse engineer it again. I'm sure you had some kind

of a similar experience in media generally. Oh, this also happens? About a hero's career. Explain that A to Z. The flowchart you've have made... In the Hindi film industry, do you have to play a networking game? Being a part of social gatherings, you'll get a job because of that. It will never happen. What did Katrina Kaif add to your Hindi film industry 101 flowchart? A silent masculine pain is seen in your performances? Imagine like there's a weight of 2,000 kilos on your shoulder. Men in general are conditioned to kind of suppress feelings and like, it's

okay, it happens. It happens, it's okay. It's just going on, bro. Welcome to Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai stories on TRS, friends. Today's star of the show is Vicky Kaushal, who is a shining star of the Hindi film industry. And a lot of people know a lot about his career, know a lot about his career trajectory. Very few people know about his pre-career phase, know about his engineering college phase. Today, I talked a lot about that phase. Had a very intense conversation with him. To know his psychology. A lot of people believe that Vicky Kaushal

has arrived. Some people say that he's the next big thing in the Hindi film industry. But I believe that he has arrived. Today, I tried to know his heart. I tried to know his courage. Because this is the theme of our series. On Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai stories on TRS, watch 16 legendary stories of 16 legends. Such episodes will keep coming. But for today's episode, just sit and enjoy. This is Vicky Kaushal on TRS. Like never before. 🎶[Music]🎶 🎶[Music]🎶 🎶[Music]🎶 Mountain Dew Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai stories on TRS, welcomes you and you, Vicky

Kaushal. Thank you. How are you, bro? I'm very good. How are you? It feels great to talk to you. I say this to a lot of people. Because nowadays, a lot of cool people are coming to the show. So, for a long time, I wanted to talk to you. No, man, even I'm very happy to be here. And also, just to tell you that you are doing an amazing job. -You and your entire team -Thank you. Because the conversations that I have heard here. And I have a habit while doing cardio to put on a

podcast and everything. Here, I feel the conversations are of my level. I can understand it. And it's more interactive. I don't know why. I feel like yes man, I'm genuinely getting some information. And I just enjoy it too. It's not just information. But I'm very happy to be here. No, we're happy to talk to you. And personally, I'm happy to talk to you. Even I'm an engineering college grad like you. And feel a different vibe with engineers. Yeah, I know. Why? Why does this happen? I don't know. I think something that we go through. It's

just very... -Trauma. -No. I don't-- I wouldn't call it trauma. Because actually, for me, those 4 years in engineering have been like the most beautiful 4 years of my life. -Yeah? -Yeah. Seriously. I got some lifelong friends who are friends till date. I passed out in 2009. So, how many years have passed? Those friendships, those that were made in 2005, in the first year. From the queue of admission, filling the form and all that, have been friends since then. And the experiences, I felt like I became a boy to a man during my engineering days.

And that I feel, that is one thing that happens to all engineering students. -Yeah. -I feel. It turns you into an adult. Because you have to save yourself many times in engineering college. -During the time of assignment submission. -Assignments! -When you fight with professors. -Did you get KT? -Yes, you got it? -How many? Got only one, but in BEE, Basic Engineering Electronics, in first year. Got in BEE? I got two. I passed one of them in reval. So, it was Mechanics and CP. Computers was an absolute bouncer for me, always. I never understood coding. I

never understood. Didn't understand till today. Anyway go on. But I got KT. And I had prepped my parents a lot. Wait a minute, bro. KT means back. -It is called back, yes, correct. -In Mumbai, it is called KT. -In Mumbai university. -Means, you failed in one subject. -Yeah, correct. -Tell me. So, I had prepped my parents a lot. That to get KT in engineering, is very common thing. So, don't get like the boy failed, who had not failed till now. So, I had prepped a lot. So, when I got two KTs, they were like, okay

man. You had explained that you get KT. And you get another chance to crack that exam. So, they were all cool. And I was cool. It was a very happy life going on. Till my uncle, who used to work for L&T at that time in Delhi. He came in for a visit. And he was like, how is the engineering going, son? I said, it is going well. I got two KTs. Mom and dad said, yes, but you keep getting it. So, he said, how do you keep getting it? As in, it shouldn't happen, this and

that. Then they also got very charged. How did you get? Shouldn't have got. I said, uncle, you ruined the work. But after that, I never had one. I remember, in the first year, we were told that if you get KT, then your career is over. But was very afraid of KT. Was afraid of KT. -You said, you got it in mechanics, right? -Yes. Means first sem. -First sem. -Yes same. I also got it in the first sem. In the first semester. And in first semester, you are told, but not everyone says. But some professors say.

Many students come and tell you. Your career is over now. One feels very scared at that point. I don't know, what did you feel because for me, it was the biggest, character development moment of my life. -Honestly. I Actually, no-- I knew exactly that these two papers didn't go well. And will get KT's for these two papers. I was surprised that I cleared Mech in the reval. I was standing in line for reval for a friend of mine. That I'm standing for you in line. There was a very long line in Kalina University for reval.

He said, you are standing in line. Put your own papers as well. You know you have failed. But put it, it will get done. Then in the next sem, by the time I was actually prepped and ready to give the exam on Mech. Last moment, I got a news that I passed in Mech on reval. So I was like, okay, that too is good. Let me explain this system. Because you and me are talking -with an understanding of trauma. -I know a lot of familiarity. This is the system that you have 6 papers in the

first sem, some people fail in them. And if you get a KT in any subject, then in the second sem, with all the subjects of second sem, there are 5-6 subjects. Along with that, you have to give 1-2 extra papers in the middle of those exams. And that is the challenge. And you get five chances. -Totally. -Total five chances. The fifth chance is called the golden KT. After this, if you still get a KT, then you get a year drop. Yes. People used to be scared of that. A lot. A year drop is a very

big thing. Did anyone get it? Yes, people in my group had got. -Really? -Yes, yes. Now what are they doing in life? They are in Boston. -Doing well. -In life… They are killing it. Yes, they are killing it. But in engineering colleges, the mentality is very different. Yeah, yeah. The mentality to endure forms. That okay, will bear this too. There is a lot of pressure. There is a lot of pressure. Maybe that is why engineers switch careers and do well in any field. But I have seen this. I don't know if it is relevant for

other fields as well because I haven't lived it. But in engineering, -there are a lot of suppressed artists. -Yes. Whenever there is a cultural fest, you see someone is killing it in dancing. Some in skits and plays and painting and like anything. It's just the cultural festivals of engineering colleges are really top notch. -I am getting goose bumps. -No, seriously. Because you are telling the truth. It really happens. Yes. It's a very interesting environment. I will say that. -There is character development. -Yeah. Because there is so much math in every subject. So even your mind

-becomes a little mathematical. -Yeah. And I remember that during engineering, I was having a very tough time. I don't know how your professors were. But not all my professors, there were some very good professors too who gave good character development. But some professors -would put a lot of pressure. -Yeah. I don't know if you went through it. You are also an EXTC engineer. -Which I find damn weird bro. -Yeah man. You get very few EXTC engineers. I know. I was very surprised to know. Because like you said, you get very few. You get a lot

from mechanicals. -You get a lot from civil. -Comms. You get a lot from comms and IT. But EXTC, electronics and telecommunications. You find it like… This is a very rare breed. Which during the era of millennials used to be a cool field. I don't know if it is a cool field now or not. Yeah, even I don't know. But anyway, EXTC is… Some of the subjects are very difficult. Do you remember EDC? BJTs, FETs. Yes, but actually-- I didn't mind EXTC at all. -Because those circuits, everything. -Really, you liked it? I was like-- It didn't

like-- I was not scared of them. If I sat down to study diligently. I used to understand things. So I was not very scared. I will explain this to the common people. As he said, he used to grasp it properly, I didn't understand it till today. How circuits work. The current electricity subject you have in school, this is one of its very high-level subjects in which I got a KT. BEE, right? BEE, I had gotten 89 out on 100. -Really? -BEE I had scored. Again, to the common people. His physics-oriented mind is very exceptional, if

he understood BEE. Means he is able to visualize a lot of things. I don't know how it happened. -But it happened. -That's what BEE is. -Yeah. -It's remembering a lot of formulas and visualizing. -Yeah. -That's why you are a good actor. I don't know. Maybe. Okay. Wow. I am loving talking about BEE to you. I didn't think I am going to come here and talk about BEE so much. I am also actually enjoying it. After many years I am talking about BEE, CP, mechanics. Same. I remember when YouTube started. And please chip in to give

your film world experience also. -YouTube starts with the camera. -Correct. Basically, you have to sit in front of the camera. And then, also after recording the video you have to edit. You have to upload. For uploading you have to learn about YouTube. I learned it very quickly. Everything. I had a friend who explained stuff to me. But I learned it quickly. And then I came to know that maybe this is happening because of engineering college. It's possible. Because there is so much pressure to learn things fast. That same thing I have applied in business. I

have applied at age 30. I also learned podcasting very quickly. I don't know if you also feel the same in film world. And this actually I wanted to ask you since a very long time. This is why I wanted to talk to you since a very long time. You are one of the legends of engineering colleges. In Mumbai. So engineering is being applied now in life. Actually, I am sure it is happening. But the aspect that is happening I will say in a very like a, not exactly like a philosophical way. But I would say

that like, I will give you my dad's example. He studied in Punjab University. And he wanted to become an English professor. MA in English Literature. BA in English Literature. Have done various things. And he became an action director in films in Mumbai. Long journey. Blah, blah, blah. But I always used to ask him, where did it go? Did it help or not? And in college only I had decided in my second year, third year actually, that I want to act lifelong. I am not going to pursue post-grad because at that time all my friends were

like after this… Want to do MS. GRE exam prep was going on which is the requirement if you want to give that exam and do post-grad outside India. And when all your friends are doing it, -it takes a lot mentally to not do it. -A lot. A lot. A lot. Really a lot. So then I used to ask him going forward, did you ever feel that something went wrong, some wrong decision was taken, what happened? So he used to tell me that whatever you will do, you will do it only after graduation. Graduation, but you

have to do it with full effort because this formula might not work. But the effort you are putting in, that effort will come in handy. That habit picked up at that age, that you have to give in your best. Whatever it is, the habit to give your best, that giving your best comes handy. Because there if you show complacency that you don't have to do it. And it's very subjective. I'm not saying that this is a universal rule. But that genuinely worked for me. That those 4 years there, even when I knew that this is

not what I'm going to pursue but at that time building relationships, camaraderie with your friends, giving everything to those subjects and those exams and whatever that was, cultural festivals, everything that those 4 years had to offer to me I gave it my all. And that habit of giving it my all is still relevant when I have to-- Because everything I do is a project that I take up. A role is a project, I take up. And okay this is my project where I can't get a KT. Because I won't get another chance in it. So

every film, every role is a golden KT. So that, so that might be helping now. Bro, what you said that there shouldn't be a KT. I remember when I first saw KT on the screen, we used to check on the computer, our results in the first year. When KT was visible on the screen, there used to be a lot of pain. During our times sheets used to be put up. It happened in the second or third year. Yes, okay. I don't know. Maybe there was a difference. But there used to be fear when you were

checking the sheet on the wall. -Used to feel very scared. -Used to feel very scared. **** has there been a KT or not? And I remember I used to motivate myself for studying for the exam with the fear I felt while checking the previous sem's results. I don't want to put myself in a position to have that level of fear in my heart. That's why I'll do that extra effort right now. And as you are saying there shouldn't be a KT. Honestly, I feel that fear has been my motivation even in life. That I don't

ever want to not be able to bet on my abilities. Correct. No, I feel, I feel always that little fear element within that always brings the best out of you. If you treat it as a motivational factor. If you're gonna be really indulging in that in a way that you feel that it breaks your confidence. It has to be a stepping stone. If you make that stepping stone, that's actually a very good advantage you have. You know that insecurity that that fear provides you. That I feel is a great stepping stone for you to achieve

something which you feel you might not be able to. Bro, you're very easy to talk to. Engineering, bro. Why does this happen? Because we understand each other's **** a little bit. I don't know, maybe. Maybe it's that. And there's clarity in the thinking. But I also want to genuinely tell you because this show is maybe 4 years old. And one of biggest themes of the show has been military. I know, I've seen some snippets of this show where you've invited some really experienced people -from the armed forces. -Yeah, yeah. And I think generally the military

collectively, I'll be very honest with you. I'm gonna be very transparent here. Just let me finish the full thing that I'm saying. So a lot of military generals, they used to get pissed off with military-based films. Because they used to feel that it's not accurate. But everyone is very excited about Sam Manekshaw's film. Because he is literally the biggest legend of Indian military. And when I heard for the first time that you're playing his role. Plus there was a photo released I think 1-2 years back. It's a very famous photo. I was very happy. I

literally clapped when I saw that. That this film is being made. And I know that that's how at least the military audiences are looking at the film. So just know that it's already a great thing. That's all I want to say. While I know that the military is a little hesitant about it. But generally, everyone is very excited. No, but it's not news for me. Because as much as I have had the chance to interact with the army, when I was doing Uri. Or now when I'm doing Sam Bahadur. And that film is coming out.

I actually had a lot of heart-to-heart conversations with them. And what they think of cinema. And what they think, how depiction is done in Hindi films, and everything. And of course, they have also said this. That sometimes it happens-- Sometimes we also understand, some liberties have to be taken. But sometimes the line gets crossed a lot. That this can't happen. But like on a surface level, I've seen them being very sensitive about the uniforms. The medals, the badges, and everything. And I realized because of the amount of training, I had with them. amount of time

I spent with them. That these guys have literally taken the stick. Because in the morning when they had a drill. Their uniforms would not be proper. So, they literally, what is it called? There's a technical army term for that. Where it's called like-- It's a punishment that they get. And it's a hardcore punishment that they get. During their training days. If slightly, by even a margin, if your ironing is off the mark, this bad, that is bad. So they get a punishment. So when we wear it just like that, and the medals are fully off

and everything. They are bound to feel hurt about that. That at least take care of this much. So we have tried our best in Sam Bahadur. And especially Meghna Gulzar, I have to give it to her. That she has been like a hawk on set when it came to… -Details. -The color of the uniforms. The details of it. Because it's like without that, we can't give tribute to the army, if we can't crack the uniforms. Some such military professionals have also come on the show who have appreciated military films. I don't know if I'm saying

too much here. But I feel that you are also doing something for the country. Through this film. No, of course, man. This is not in a preachy way. But I genuinely feel. That when I get such opportunities. Where I get to be part of films where it's about the heroes that have existed in our motherland. Which we don't necessarily know through education. Through books or whatever. Or maybe they are just like, not a detailed study in our history books. But they were just a mere mention. But if we get to study them, it's just nice

to know that people like-- Like Sam Manekshaw or Sardar Udham. They have really existed. They were here. And they did something for the country. For which-- Whose benefits we are still taking. So if through my work, I get to live that too. Get a chance to show that story to today's youth, and a chance to get them to experience it. And if they resonate to it. It's just-- I just feel somewhere in the corner of my heart, I feel good about, that through my work, I could do something, which had a certain deeper meaning to

it. I loved Sardar Udham. It was a very dark film. I think it was a very honest film. From Shoojit da. The more I interacted with him, I got to know how-- He literally is a Bhagat Singh fan boy. And it's a story that he's lived with, for many, many years. And I just was so fortunate that I got the chance to be a part of it. And through his eyes and his vision. The way he saw the story. I thought there was a lot of purity in which he said that story. Because he kept

telling me. That I don't want to show what all he did. The reason for which I want to make this and why I get inspired by Bhagat Singh ji and Udham Singh ji, is because their state of mind is what inspires me. So that is what we kept trying to get. There were some scenes in Sardar Udham where you were doing very dejected acting. I remember you were just sitting, you were sitting like that in one scene. That's the scene that stayed with me. I don't know if you remember what I'm talking about. -Which part?

The other portion... -I think where he-- No. Early portion. Where he-- Or I think, he just got out of jail. -It was one of the early portions. -Right. And my thought was that, has Vicky Kaushal also seen so much dejection in life to be able to act with that kind of pain. And plus in your films, a lot of people connect with you for very different reasons. But a lot of guys connect with you. Because you depict a deep silent male pain very well. I don't know if you got what I'm saying. I got what

you're saying. But I've never seen like-- Obviously I can't objectively see my performances like that. Maybe I'm giving you an engineering bro perspective. Don't mind the… Sounding good to me. A silent masculine pain is seen in your performances. With which bros can connect. I think that's why you have both a female and male fan following, honestly. Okay. Okay. But I think, in Sardar Udham if I just pick that example out. All that I was thinking, where at the later stages when I'm like late 30s, 40s. And where I'm like in London and roaming around. The

one demarcation, when I have to, I feel I'm overthinking a character. Or I'm making like too many ideas and theories in my head, I like to simplify things. And then I just put one word. I just put one block idea. So I just-- I remember during Sardar Udham, because it was such a silent kind of a portrayal with not many dialogues. The first 20 minutes of the film you don't even hear him talk. So I just said, till he's not done what he's wanting to do, imagine like there's a weight of 2,000 kilos on your

shoulder. You're carrying a lot of weight. And I said let me just start with just literally feeling a physical weight. I know it's more like a mental weight. But let me just do everything where I feel like a physical weight on me. And when I play the 19-year-old, just get that weight off. That's how I kind of just in my head, just simplified in terms of, what's the broad difference between these two people. Maybe that's where it started from, in a physical form. And then obviously in a mental form, men in general are conditioned to

kind of suppress feelings. And like, it's okay, it happens. It happens, it's okay. It's just going on, bro. Yes, so that one, don't know, it might be like that. But I don't know, I can't dig deep in that. Because how it lands on a viewer is very subjective. I am asking this question because to run YouTube, we have to study data a lot. Yeah sure. That who should we get next on the show. What subject should we talk about next. I am assuming it's something similar. I know it's something similar in the film world. -I

guess so. I guess. -Before creating a concept, thoughts… Yeah of course. Of course. Thoughts go in. My question is, actually not my question, my input is, that at least I am noticing Gen-Z's, millennials too. They are very excited about history nowadays. They feel that we should have been taught even more about India's history. Maybe that's why, I feel that automatically, maybe the film world might go on a bit of a historical tangent. Because there's audience demands. That's why we've gone -on a full historical tangent. -No usually what happens is. At least I don't know what

the textbooks are saying today. I don't know how they are like, syllabus wise. But what I remember, what we were taught, as much as I remember, is that we were only told-- Like I said the difference is what happened in terms of incidents just to cover a wider, because it's very difficult to finish history in one textbook. But in school it's more anecdotal. That this happened. Then in this year, this happened. Then in this year, this happened, But the thing that hit me the most when we were shooting Sardar Udham was that Jallianwala Bagh massacre

took place in which so many people died. We were asked the question in exam. We wrote it down. But we didn't really feel it. We didn't really-- We don't know what it really feels to lose that many lives on a single plot of land in one night. So realizing its impact, is true understanding of history. Also, the way that scene was shot. You feel a lot as an Indian. When you are seeing that scene. It's probably one of the most difficult scenes to watch that I've ever watched in my life. It was one of the

probably the most difficult scene to perform as well, it was. -In the entire career? -Yeah. -In the entire career? -Yeah. Tell us. It was, man. It was because of course I was prepared for a few things. But there were certain things which I was not prepared for, on a deeper level. Because the whole sequence that we shot I was almost doing it for 20 days. One thing that Shoojit Da had warned me beforehand, was that there won't be dummy bodies. It will be real bodies. And I will leave you. There was a three-camera setup out

of which one camera I never knew where it was. Out of the two cameras, they would light the whole ground, and then there was no like… Next shot we have this much time. So you rest it out whatever. Once we are on the ground, we are on the ground. And it's just like changing angles and whatever. I would like to give a little context to those who haven't seen that scene. Jallianwala Bagh incident has been depicted quite graphically in that film. I think it's actually, the highlight of that film. The way that they've done justice

to that incident. And the second aspect is what you're talking about right now. Where Sardar Udham's character reaches there after the incident. And picks up the bodies from Jallianwala Bagh, picks up the bodies of children. That whole stretch is very, very intense to watch as a viewer. Please continue. When we started shooting obviously, this was told, as I said, there won't be any dummy bodies. There will be real bodies. And I don't want you to rehearse how to pick them up. I want to see a 19-year-old not knowing how to pick them up. So struggling

how to pick them up and then getting tired and whatever. So we kept shooting, like I said, for 20 nights. Where there was the ground. Then taking to the hospital. The streets. The houses. Everything put together. The night was divided into six stages. Because there was a lot of blood coming on me and everything. So in terms of technicality wise, continuity had to be maintained and all of that. But let's just say A B C D E F, whatever. So, in those stages, we kept shooting, we kept shooting. And in fact, all the people who

were lying down there, they were also told that I can come and pick up anybody. So you have to lie down. And only brief that was given to me was you genuinely search for people that someone is alive. If you see someone moving, consider them injured. And you would try to save them. That was the brief given to me. And the camera will follow you. Don't worry about anything. And it became like a stage for me. What I was not prepared for, after doing it many times was that somewhere in the middle it just hit

me that there was a boy actually, doing that one night. And that hit me very strongly. Like I could not sleep after going back home. And I would sit with Shoojit da also. And I would be like, sir, I am not feeling sleepy. And he is like I understand. But you know-- But we kept doing that. We kept doing that because we felt, there's something right happening, if we are feeling this way. And everybody. Like that night. Over there we shot in Amritsar. And the people were very cooperative. They used to lie down in the

cold all night. Because they knew what we were trying to create. To recreate. So they were very supportive. And it took a lot. Like a lot of team effort. But just as an actor it was like-- It just grounded me a lot. I thought that happened with me when I was shooting Masaan. And prepping for Masaan when I would spend time At the ghat, at the crematorium and see dead bodies getting burnt. But this was a little, I don't know, strangely deeper than that. Was deeper? Yeah, yeah. Because this was-- There was agony, there was

pain. There was trauma. There was… I had to do that all feeling like a child. Like, you know. Because in the film also you see him, before that incident, not really being very revoltish about freedom or whatever. He was just a kid living his life and you know… But that night changed Sardar Udham Singh Ji. And that night kind of-- The depiction of that night just made me realize. If we say lives were sacrificed for our freedom struggle, then the impact of that, I mean for the first time, felt it in that deeper sense, as

to what it meant. I want to say something very straightforward. I feel you are a very blessed man to be able to play such characters. I agree. I feel that so. I feel that, really. Have you ever thought about it? Because seeing your career from the outside. Uri, Sardar Udham, and Sam Bahadur. Just because of three films, I feel that you are in many ways, a chosen one. I am not-- I am genuinely saying what it feels like from the outside. Maybe that's why people are rallying behind you also. I don't know. But I do

feel blessed to get these opportunities. Because they are, like we discussed, because we have discussed, engineering days. When I left engineering, wanted to be an actor. 2009, I am like okay, let me just do an acting course. And that too was like, you know, I had said I want to become an actor. But even I lacked the confidence. To be very honest. Because that time was also not the time like we have today where actors even if you do a film and if your work is good, you will be like-- There will be curiosity around

you. Man, who is this new actor that has come. That time, that period did not exist. That was a very hero-type era. It was an era of launching, whatever. So at that time I also had no confidence. But by starting with that journey, then you struggle, and then you give auditions. And blah blah blah. Theater and everything. After that, today when you see that yes man, you are getting such roles, and such directors are showing confidence in you. And for these legendary roles and characters, it really feels like a blessing. Because bet Sardar Udham Singh

ji, be it Sam Bahadur, we have heard the stories at home. We have discussed it. But the realization doesn't hit today I got the chance. To understand their lives. And then to take the story to the people, as that guy. That hits in retrospect many times. But when it hits, it hits very strongly. And you feel like you-- There's a lot of gratitude that you feel. That whatever is happening in the universe, God is really taking care of you. Universe, fate, God such things are discussed a lot on the show. I have learned that in

mega successful people, luck plays a big role. Do you agree? Of course, there's hard work. That's the basis. That's a constant. Yes, no, I'm a strong-- Very strong believer in destiny and karma. I'm a super strong believer in that. And it's immovable. At times when I-- Especially at times when I don't get what I really want to. I really have now learned to take it as a blessing. Because I literally have-- Now when I look back and I feel, Man, I didn't get that film that I wanted to do, and which was going to happen.

But then now I see and I'm like, thank God, it didn't happen, man. Because in return of that, all this was there. So now I am really like I know that if your hard work is there, your intentions are clear, you are working honestly, only good will happen to you. Sometimes you do not understand what is good for you, at this time. But I just live with that faith that there's a stronger entity or force or whatever taking care of you. I wanted to ask you these questions for a very long time. You were one

of the people I wanted on the show for very long. Maybe because of the engineering college connect. Actually mostly because of that. Also because of your career. But I knew how I'll be able to talk to you. I think at this point of the show you must have known what my intention is with this podcast. I'm trying to get to learn what's made you. At this point. Now there is a round coming on the show where I will ask you some deep questions. It is a psychological question. So please take your time with it. This

is the Darr Se Jeet Tak round. You don't have to answer this quickly. But take your time. I will also ask you some tangential questions. Vicky Kaushal, your father has been a leading action director of films. What did dad teach you about fear? Or about courage. See the thing is he has instilled this faith in me of not having a safety net. Where what I would be seeing otherwise, When you leave engineering-- Especially when you leave that field, and I had a job letter. I had a given a campus interview. I had a job with

me. -TCS? -No, wasn't TCS. It was, at that time, it was called Patni Computers. But now I think it's Capgemini. They've taken it over. But he said that that time, if you are coming here, then tear that. Know that you don't have a backup. Sometimes that helps, but be the man that gives you the energy. That there is nothing else. There is nothing else. Sometimes that gives you that little edge. That little one extra percent edge which needs-- Where it's just that supernatural force that comes into you that I have to do it. I don't

have anything else. So I think, what I have learned is that courage coming from not having a safety net. There shouldn't be a plan B? -That helps me personally. -Same. Like I said it's all subjective. It's all very, very subjective depending on your conditions and where you are, what you're doing, your state of mind and everything. But that not having a safety net always, always makes me do something that I feel I don't have it in me. Whereas when I have that safety net, I feel I wouldn't push myself to that extent. Because of your

humility you are saying that it applies to you. And I understand what you are saying because you have also seen life. You have talked to different people. But I definitely want to say that at age 22, there shouldn't be plan B. Because that's only one phase of your life where you can take so much risk. Without thinking about fear. And I feel it's important to not have a plan B at 22. I agree. I have said this a lot on the show. A balls to the wall mentality creeps in. Now either do or die. Yeah,

yeah, yeah. Vicky Kaushal. In your entire career, what role did you had to gather the most courage for? Obviously, the context here is, Masaan happened at the age 24 or 25. So, I am also asking the boy, Vicky Kaushal here. Then it took more courage or for Sam Bahadur? -Sam Bahadur. -Really? It's only because of the man he was. It's not a fictional character. So there is a glory you have to live up to. You just didn't have even one degree of scope to just fool around or miss the mark. Because whenever I would interact

with the Indian Army. They would be very encouraging. They would give a lot of love. A lot of faith. But they would always end it with saying, you better do a good job. He is our best man. So that would always scare me a little bit. So I think where I was most scared of, was Sam Bahadur. The kind of prep that got involved. And every day on set, the constant reminder that just remember whom you are playing. Just remember the man whom you are playing. So I would, to answer this question, it is definitely

Sam Bahadur. There is a tangential question that I wanted to ask earlier. When you play the characters of such stature, do you feel on some level, their legacy or their soul is present on set? I felt that during Sam Bahadur. It's so strange you asked me this question. Because me and Meghna have said this to just each other. Not even announcing it to a team. We would just sit on the side and sometimes Meghna would say that I feel him. And sometimes I would say that Meghna, I feel him. Really because this film during the

shoot or just the existence of this film till now when it's releasing and everything. So many things that have gone against the film. Like just making of the film. So many things. Sometimes location, sometimes logistics, sometimes this, sometimes that. Everything that we ended up doing in the way we ended up doing. Was just the best thing that could have happened to the film. Every time something like this would happen, we would feel, we were not aiming for this. We actually had a different plan. But we ended up doing what was literally the best thing for

the film. From the smallest to the biggest things. But every time we would be like Meghna, Sam is here. So we would feel that many times. And I genuinely, genuinely feel that very deeply. Like he's watching it. At this point in life, now, what are you afraid of? Now I'm afraid, that anything, regarding my work or anything, or relationship or anything, not take anything for granted. Because now you have the opportunity to take things granted. It wasn't there before. Earlier, you didn't have it that you can take that for granted. Because you don't have it.

When those things come to you, especially there was no work earlier. So you need work. who will you take for granted? You started getting work. But you started getting it by giving auditions. It wasn't like you were offered 10 scripts and you were choosing. Now by God's grace you are in that position. That scripts are coming to you. You can choose what you want to do. And what you don't want to do. This is the time when you don't want to take things for granted. And I think you start slipping. Because you don't fall you

start slipping when you take things for granted. And before you realize it's like a little late. So this is the phase where my biggest fear is that anything that is because you have a team working with you. Anything that you would want to prep for a role or do something. It's there. It's available. Everything is available right now. When things that are available is when you start taking the basics for granted. Now that fear exists. Back of the mind when you are hitting the bed at the end of the day, you just have to be

prepared. Don't take it for granted. Keep that hunger alive. -Yeah. Did you see Rocky 3? -Yeah. -Where his hunger dies. -Yeah, yeah, yeah. Correct. Exactly. Exactly it's that. Then he has to start from scratch. Start from scratch. So yeah that. There are five parts of Rocky. At one point. There are a lot of parts made now. -But originally, there were five parts. -Five parts. For me three was the most important. Once you become a champion, then you shouldn't lose the championship belt. Yeah. It's like they say, being a champion is easier than being a champion.

So when that shift is happening, That transition is where you start taking things for granted. It's when every day at work or every day at wherever you are. Whatever you do is the first day at job. Is when you'll be like, yeah it's fine. I have to do it. Basically, you are talking about humility again, here. I feel that humility is the biggest factor at the stage you are at. Even this I have learned from the show. I am not giving my own opinion. My job is to observe you guys. Mostly everyone is a little

scared about humility. I don't want my humility to fade away. I also feel that people are able to connect with you due to this. But people got to know today, you are an engineering college student. You are a Mech fail. So humility will never go away. I guess. So, Vicky Kaushal. This was the Darr Se Jeet Tak round. But I got to know you more. Now I would like to break the ice a little further. When I met you outside. I know what vibe my guests are bringing to my home. I feel a very intense

energy from you. You are a very intense guy. Now you are not. -Because you are talking. -Might be the beard and all. No, no, no. Energy speaks before a person speaks. Not just the beard. But there were many thoughts going on in your mind. Is it due to this quantity of thoughts you got success? That you engineered your life. That's what I feel. I can never actually decode why I have gotten success. Because sometimes I feel it's also, sure it's your hard work. It's what you have put in, to the job. You have to give

in that much to get out of it, this and that. But I very much feel that there is a lot of luck too. There are blessings of many people. It's also upbringing. I don't know. It's just like I feel, when you say my success, it's got to-- Of course, it's got to do with me. But it's got a lot to do with the people who put faith in me. People who put kind of like, I don't know. I feel there's an effort from lot of people too. -Upbringing. -It's always a team thing that it can

never be my success alone. I never agree to term, self-made man. I don't think you are ever a self-made man. You can't do anything alone. You got the support of a lot of people. A lot of people gave you opportunities. You worked with them, in which your work excelled. Especially when you are an actor. No matter how good act, You need a lot of good technicians around you. You need a solid script. You need a great director, for that job to excel and reach the audience. Do you need an audience. That audience makes you. So

I feel that success-- Of course, because you are the subject of that success. You have worked hard in that. That's all. But other than that, there are lot of other things involved. You can't take this is just mine. It's given to you. And then it's taken from you also. Did you feel more pain on KT or after a flop film? Flop film. More than KT? -Yeah. -Why? After a flop film you often get fewer chances In KT you know, there are 5 more. Does this actually happen? No. It also hurts because, when you are giving

exams, it's your effort. Only you. And you got a KT? When you are doing a film, it's a lot of people's effort. And when that film doesn't work. It affects everyone. In terms of the next opportunity you'll get. To build that faith with the audience. To build that credibility. And of course, I'm not saying that-- It's all part and parcel. Your movie will work as well as flop. Everything will happen. And you will learn too. But yes, flop is more painful. Because a lot of effort goes into it. An effort of many people goes into

it. And it's a little, also what hurts you is that, a producer had invested money. And that money didn't return-- It wasn't a profitable situation for the producer also. Which you would always want that to happen. As an actor. As a part of that film. So, there are many factors, because of which you feel bad. Man, it didn't work. No, it failed to resonate. I actually want to ask you this question. Which I'm about to ask you. This is one of my pre-planned questions for this whole podcast. Again, it's a bit engineering-oriented question. The way

I always talk about reverse engineering. The ability to reverse engineering is my biggest gift of engineering college. I mean, you want this, but you don't know how you'll get it. Reverse engineer it again. And then what is your step one? What is step two? And draw out a game plan. Kudos to engineering drawing. The flowchart that you have made, that habit is installed by engineering. The words that you are using. Vicky Kaushal, flowchart. These are coding nightmares. Nightmares. Seriously nightmares. Anyway, so this flowchart is about a film industry's career. I won't just say a film

industry career, about a hero's career. What is this flowchart? Because, when I started YouTube. I thought I will make videos. And then maybe I will start a business. Then I didn't even know that there is something like PR. There is something like styling. These are all random factors. There are photo shoots. I am sure you had some kind of a similar experience in media generally. Oh, this also happens? This also happens? Explain that A to Z. Wow. I don't know where to start from. There were a lot of things. Take 20-30 minutes of the answer

if you want. The first thing is, like in 2009, completed engineering, passed out. Decided I don't want to be an engineer. Now I want to be an actor. What do I have to do? Let's learn first. Let's learn in an official way. Let's join an acting school. I did an acting school for 6 months. For me, the biggest takeaway from that school was, that when I had to do acting every day, I was a happier person. I was not cribbing. I was not feeling Monday blues. I was not feeling that I have to go again

today. I was like okay. This is what I can do for the rest of my life. Now let's keep evolving in this. One thing I had given, that I will give time. And that is something I would say, an advantage not many people have. I am a boy from Mumbai. My family is here. I don't want to pay rent, everything. So I said let me make this as an advantage. Rather than just take it for granted. So I was like okay. What advantage can I get? Give myself time. I said I am not in a

hurry to come in front of the camera. There is no scope of trial and error. Like we have discussed many times now, there is no KT. Got judged, especially in the beginning. Especially in the beginning. If he doesn't know the work, then getting another job, will be more difficult than finding the first job. I said take time. I got the opportunity to assist Anurag, sir on Gangs of Wasseypur. I Assisted. That's another story altogether. I learned a lot. It was like my film school. I learned a lot. But then, what made it more difficult for

me, in the circle of film industry, was that everyone started looking at me like an AD. That he is an assistant director. And usually the assistant directors, who want to be actors, they are looked at a little like, okay, fine man, yes, okay, cute. Are looked in that way. But it becomes more difficult to prove that no I actually want to act. And I, like you know, take me seriously as an actor. So I broke away from that. I was getting more opportunities to assist. I said with folded hands, no man, if I do this

more, I'll get into this. And I don't want to be a director. I want to be an actor. I just wanted to understand. How a film is made. Then I started doing theater. Now I started doing that. Along with that when I finally decided that I will start giving auditions. I want a job as an actor. The first thing was that, I didn't know where I could get this job. Where are the auditions held? And wherever I used to go for auditions, how did 150 people reach there already? How did they know before me? Which

is the shop that they are going? I'm not getting news about the audition, come along. I used to leave from home at 11 am with my bag. Now I know, that this happens here in Versova. Happens here in Oshiwara. Happens here in Bandra. So reach there. After reaching, I used to get to know, well, this is happening so, stand in line. But I used to ask the crowd already there, how did you come to know? I got to know by chance, this is happening here. Then they said, no, there are such groups, they pass on

that information. I said first of all it happens this way. Then, the auditions also needed you to be fit for the audition. I don't mean physically fit. Initially, there is a process, before you crack the audition, you have to crack getting into that room full of people for that audition. By knocking first, means I could even ask this question in my dreams, am I fit for the audition? Now this had turned out to be like, I used to recite this. Knocked, am I fit for the audition? Yes. Write the name on the list. The turn

will come after 2 hours. Am I fit for the audition? No. Where is the next one? Go find. So first of all, got to know this. Many times, it used to happen genuinely, that I did the audition today, I would feel I got the film. I wasn't even selected. But today the audition is done. So that was the first bubble that broke. Because what happens in acting school, there is a batch of 20 people. In that you were amazing. You feel once you come out, there would be lines. Everyone was just waiting when will Vicky

Kaushal come out of acting school and give him work. That bubble of yours bursts first. That you are good among 20 people, outside 20 lakh people are looking for the same work. So from acting school, only your craft gets polished. Not even craft is polished. I would say, and it's very subjective to acting schools. And it was a great acting school. But I thought that, it's what you take out of it. They just give you a glimpse and they probably give you confidence that you have it in you, go for it. But it's a whole

world. It's like a Pandora's box of skill set. That you have to learn probably on the job also. But they just give you the-- They just open the pores. Try to understand this. Try to understand this. Then maybe you can become a wholesome actor. They will make you practice something daily. The first thing was how to go for audition. Then cracking the audition. Getting or not getting the job. Getting into the top 3, top 2, you don't get selected. Then I used to feel here-- And at that time, how much would you earn in an

ad. 10,000 per day. 15,000 per day. Then I used to feel that to get a job worth 10,000, I mean, seriously I am sweating out. Leaving engineering, it feels good to say no plan B. But then I genuinely felt, when on WhatsApp group, everyone was posting photos. My new car. My new flat. My new this. You are traveling in buses and rickshaws. That bro, the bank account is zero. You are doing theater. In theater, your inner actor, is feeling very happy because every day you are doing what you love doing. But you are not getting

the money. I remember the production house, where I earned my first pay, I earned ₹2,000 in that. I was like what did I get today, 2,000. Whereas, I had left the job of lakhs. But 2,000, I was feeling like I don't know what I got. So I got to know all these new things. But, we'll start it from when I became an actor. Means, started getting opportunities. So when I got the opportunity and everything happened then, obviously, the things that you mentioned. Styling and PR. Like for the first 6 months, when Masaan came out. I

did not have a manager. How did you crack Masaan? Just like that? So. No. Actually, the first film that I shot. Genuinely on the basis of audition, the first lead role that I got, was Zubaan. Mozez Singh was the director. It was his first film. It was my first film. And literally he selected, after auditioning me. That was the first film I shot in 2013. But that film came on late. After Masaan, in 2016. Masaan was 2015. So, in 2016, obviously it was a new film. No one knew anyone. The film didn't work. No one

even knew about it. But it was like-- It will remain a very special film for me. Because that was the first thing I cracked with the audition. That I got selected. But Masaan, how I got it was, that Neeraj and me, we both were ADs on Gangs of Wasseypur. And then he wanted to become a director. I wanted to become an actor. So we were like, okay. -Bro let's do it together. -Let's do it on our individual journey. But then, no, he was actually making this film with another set of actors, fully. And he was

fully prepped for it. So, we actually met after many months. And he was like, hey what's happening. What's happening in your life. What's happening in my life. So I said I just shot this film. And now I'm looking for another job. He's like, I'm about to shoot this film. I'm starting now. And this is the cast. I was like great, man, this and that. Then I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra that we are casting for that film. So I said I talked to Neeraj there. He showed me the full docket that this is the

cast and everything. So I don't know what role? So he's like, no, no. That cast has been removed. And now there's a vacancy. So we are looking for a new actor. I said fine. So I went in. And we did two scenes. As an audition. One, there was a cafeteria scene. Between me and Shweta Tripathi. And the other scene was, 'Ye Dukh Kahe khatam Nahi Hota'. I did those two scenes. And then for a whole week, I didn't get any call. Nor from the casting. Nor from Neeraj. From Anurag sir, who was the producer. Nobody

called. I said, maybe it's not happening. And I was used to. I was used to not getting a revert after an audition. I said maybe it's not happening. But then a week later, Neeraj called at 10:30 in the night. Sitting with my family at home. And, first 10 minutes, he's not even mentioning the audition. Like it never happened. So I thought, maybe it's like, you know, it's a friend, who's like kind of, he's going to reach, by the way, that's not working. But you know. But then actually after 10-15 minutes, He is like, by the

way, you are doing the film. And I'm like what? He is like, yes, yes, we were just waiting. Because like you know, there are six producers. Everybody had to see. There's a French producer. So the audition tape went to France. And blah blah blah. The whole process. So I was like oh okay. Then I started getting calls from Anurag, sir and Guneet Moga, and everybody. Hey we were just waiting for Neeraj to call you and give you the news. But da da da. So that's how I got. Masaan. Back to the flowchart. Yeah, so there

are many things. But this happened due to Masaan, that the industry had seen the movie. People didn't watch it much then. They are watching it today. Sometimes on OTT. Sometimes somewhere else. But the industry had watched. So a lot, like there are screenings. And there are interviews. These were all new. What to talk about. What not to talk about. Didn't know all this. Like Richa was the experienced one. Because Richa was also an actor in Gangs of Wasseypur. So there was this senior thing. Because I was an AD in Wasseypur. So I was like, Richa,

I will hold your hand. You keep walking with me. Keep explaining me. So she was very sweet. So we were just trying to understand. And Masaan too, was a film made like a college project. There was no money at all. We used to just shoot it like that. I remember, one day we had a Steadicam, so we were feeling, we are making an Avatar. I mean, don't know, we are making such a big film. Today there is a Steadicam. So we decided, no one will sit and act today. Today everyone will walk. We will act

while walking. So it was a very different vibe. We had no idea even if it would be released or not. Will become a DVD film. We didn't know anything. So Masaan finished. After that, it was like, okay, how to find further work, what to do? After Masaan? After Masaan. After Masaan, it happened for the first time, that some scripts started to come my way. But every script would be based on a UP-based character. UP boy. Every character was from Banaras. So I said, no man. I don't want to do that. I have more in me.

Which, I think, I am very new, maybe absent as well. But let me explore. Let me wait it out. After Masaan I didn't work for some 6-8 months nor did I get. Because, what was coming, was the same. Was in the milieu of Masaan. Which I didn't want to do. And then, I think, I got it from Anurag, sir. For Raman Raghav. Where he said, okay, what are you doing? I remember, I was at Prithvi theater. I had gone to watch a show and he said I want to take a screen test of yours. I

think, you are not fit for the part. That's how he started. But somehow, I feel like I should test you and see if you have it in you. And it was like a cop's role. And very dark film. It was fully opposite from who I was. I have lived a very protected upbringing, which I have had, family. No kind of-- No complexities as such. So it has been a simple life. That character had a lot of complexities. This is something -I don't understand about you. -What? That you are genuinely a very simple guy. Anyone can

understand. If they listen to you. But the characters you play and your performances are very layered and complex. I don't know how you are able to do that. I don't know man. I don't know. But yeah. That audition was done. In that then I was like, what should I do? I didn't even know what should I do for this. How should I understand. Like you know, he has this hate against his father. His upbringing. He has got so much angst and resentment inside him. That he is like, he doesn't know when he goes this side

of the line or that side of the line. He doesn't know where he is. But he is a cop. So, I said, and I was what? 26 at that time. So I was kind of like, I however gave the audition. And he said, not this, not this, not this. But then he is like, no, but I saw something in your eyes. Where I feel I can take you to the character. I was like, okay, and I then did that thing. But which till date, I feel like that's my worst performance. Like Raman Raghav. I feel

like-- Not because as in like performance. Performance, but I feel that I didn't live my life as much as the character required. It is not just wear a costume and give those expressions, and say dialogue honestly with conviction. But some characters require you to live a certain life also. That was one of them. I feel if I get that opportunity today I can give some other aspect to it. In fact, every 5 years if I get that opportunity again, I will bring you something else into that role. It was just that role was that kind

of dimension to it. Then of course in that that film, I don't know how to kind of see, what all I learned. But small things many times, it used to happen, okay this is PR. PR came very late into my life. That what is it. Till date I am not a very PR friendly person. Because I feel the work will speak. Now, what do I have to say in that? Go tell the Instagram algorithm that. No but seriously, I understand, when you have work and you want to push that work ahead. I understand that. I

don't understand. I know it's a requirement. I have a PR team. But they have a very difficult time with me. -Really? -Yeah. Because they come with ideas and I am like, are you mad? What are you doing, are you mad? I feel very shy. I said what are you doing? Good work finds its destiny. Can I give you a PR angle? Yes, tell me. -I have a marketing company as well. -Please tell me. So I know what I am talking about. I feel you should do more podcasts in general. -Really? -I am not saying this

for podcasting. I am saying this… I have never done podcasts. No, I think I might have done on a smaller scale. But this is the first proper one. I don't mean you do one every month. But at least do one every year. And go on different podcasts, if you want. But you are very smart. And you are able to communicate. This is all you need for the show. For shows like this. Whatever is in your mind, You are able to explain to an engineering junior. Do this in exam. But yes. All these things are there.

I suck at marketing. I suck at doing PR or whatever. I love it when a film comes out. And my work is doing the talking. I love that. I find confidence in that. I feel like a certain strength in that. But I'm assuming you have worked on craft. Sat with the director and learned about acting. You learned a lot from every director. Post that, after the advent of hit films in your life, all this, PR, styling, you learned about all these things. Yeah, even that I'm learning. It's not that I have learned. But I am

learning. Yes, I am learning. This is a very famous thing that you don't drink, you don't smoke, when I… In between, Raman Raghav made me a smoker because I had to do it in every scene. While I was shooting that film, I was probably smoking two packets a day or something because it was just long shots and that's the first time I was smoking and I was like, what are you making me do sir? But obviously, I had to quit. I quit that after the film. And then, drinking was not at all there in the

beginning. At the time of Masaan, when I had for that scene, it used to happen for the scenes then. But now, it's very occasionally. Have a friend's wedding. Those one-off nights in the year or something. Very, very occasionally. But I don't drink. -Then there is an urban legend in Mumbai. -What? That you are completely pure. You say no to alcohol. No, I do. I do. If you ever meet me in a social gathering and everything, I don't drink. Firstly, I don't even understand that one-two drinks, socializing, chit-chat. Okay, bye. Nice to meet you. Go home.

I don't understand that. In a year, there are those one-two nights that there is a very close friend's wedding. This is there, that is there. But it's then a party. It's like an expression of joy then. But I can't, I don't understand and I am not fond. It's not something that stimulates me at all. Holding a drink, having a glass or two or something. It's not my vibe at all. That's not what I do. I don't like to do also, so. And not as a discipline. It's just not come to me naturally. In the Hindi

film industry, do you have to play a networking game? -No. -Not at all. -Not at all. -If you did a good job… That's one of the biggest myths. Biggest myths. You don't have to network. No, I am saying if you want to do quality work, work that is strong, where you want people to reach out to you for work rather than you being there out there. Of course, I am not saying networking in terms of the false facade networking. Where you feel just because you are friends, just because you are having coffee and tea with

them and like being a part of social gatherings because of that you will get work, it will never happen. It won't happen. If you know the work, only then you'll get work. Of course, if you have reached out to them in their offices and met them in their offices and you build that sort of a relationship that, listen I want to work with you and this and that, then you become friends. Of course, that's a different story altogether. But just that, in between, because initially I used to even see this a lot, that I want

to go to that party and I want to go here so that I'll get to meet that guy and that's how I'll get work. Nothing happens. Never. In fact, they have judged you in the complete opposite way. In the complete opposite way. That he has come here for work. That he is seen everywhere in the parties. So work wise, he is… And they will be very nice to you. They will be very nice to you because they are nice people. But, I will say, and I am sure that's like any other industry, but in Bollywood,

when they are like work mode, they are work mode. Of course, they have their down time. They will party and they will have their relaxed dinners and whatever, the social gatherings and everything. But when they are work mode, they are like, it's a very unemotional side. It's a very, this thing, it's strictly business. You are working and we need good actors, we need good actors. We need good technicians, we need good technicians. It's not necessary, we are not there to make friends. You become friends, that's a different story. That's great. But it's like you need

the best person for the job. There's a lot of money involved. -There's a lot of reputation involved. -Risk. There's a lot of risk involved. So that will only come from work. And in fact, they will respect you more. You are a great part of the team rather than... Yeah, if you are a great part of the team and you know your job. And that happens in all walks of life. If tomorrow I happen to meet you at a party or whatever, we'll be pleasant to each other. We'll meet nicely and whatever, we'll exchange numbers and

that's great. When will I have respect for you when I know that, boss, you are a man of substance. You know what you are talking about, you know your job. That's when I will be like, okay, I take him seriously. I respect his viewpoint. I respect you. So, focus on your job. Focus on your job. In fact, I will say that even if you are not friends, even if you don't know them and whatever, if you are constantly working on your job and you are putting it out there and you are trying your best to

network like that as a professional, they will become your friends. They will. I feel that in today's world, -your work is your best PR. -Sure. I would also, maybe I am saying it from a bias perspective, but social media is a great PR tool. -PR is very difficult to handle. -Means? I am the most active during… You are saying this? Yes. Why? Your social media game is very good. Is it so? Yes. I think you know this. One is I was told earlier, There's a digital team, etc. With all due respect to the digital teams,

but I don't understand. Because I don't want anybody to sit on my head saying, post something you haven't posted in 5 days. Because I want to draw a line between what's real and what's not. My work is not social media. Of course, I want to connect with my audience through social media. I want to connect because that's where it's me. It's not my character. It's not my brand. Sometimes the brand also now, because the lines are blurred when, you know, there's a lot of branding in social media. But I personally, sometimes I need a detox

from social media and I do that. I don't go off social media or whatever, but I just stop using it for some time. I'll tell you what, traditional media houses -don't understand what social media is. -I know that. -Because it's my bread and butter. -Yeah. Social media changes every 6 months. -Yeah, you're right. -And honestly, these days, -social media has become very smart. -Yes. Because even in the interiors of India, people have access. No, it's a super duper strong medium. It's a great medium. But I'm saying you need to have a right conversation to have.

And that comes with who I am personally. If you sit with me in a room where there are no cameras or nothing, it's very easier for me to just sit silent if I don't have anything to talk to you. And I will be like that. But if I have something to say to you, I will say that. When I have something to say on social media, I will post three posts a day. But if I don't have anything to tell you or show you from my life, I don't want to feel like it's a necessity

for me to do that. That's something where I draw the line. Just for my own sanity. It's for my peace of mind. Nowhere I want to feel validated. I don't know how to put it, but like I had to do this because I didn't do for 4 days. That's the only motivation that I shared something with you guys. That until now for me is a bit… I'm not like... I think that's correct thinking honestly on social media. You can take 2 weeks, 3 weeks off if you want, but the content should be quality. And that

quality content again comes out of the flow state. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The flow chart that we were describing, Vicky Kaushal, what did your wife add to it? Professionally speaking. -I'm sure you must have learned something. -Professionally? What did Katrina Kaif add to your Hindi film industry 101 flow chart? What did you learn from her? On the surface level, she's added what kind of clothes should I wear. Because she's like, where is he going dressed like a joker? She would be like, cut me out. She's literally held my hand and pulled me back saying, you're not

stepping out of this house wearing this. I'm like, what's wrong with this? Everything. I'm like, okay, fine. Like wear simple clothes. I said okay fine, simple is what I used to wear, where was I… But jokes apart, I would say... I learn a lot of... She's a beast when it comes to when she has a song or an action sequence coming and everything. I've seen her, she is disciplined. I've not seen many people being disciplined. I have really learned that a lot from her. Because when it comes to, when there's this sequence coming, or there's

this that coming, she goes mental 5 months before that. And she's like, her diet changes, this changes, that changes. And then I realize she isn't there just by fluke. She's achieved that reputation when it comes to certain things. Because she puts in that work until date. And that's what stimulates her. She doesn't do it with an attitude that this has to be done. She's then super unemotional about it. You've got to do what you've got to do. And that I've really liked. That helps me sometimes as a reminder. You've got to do what you've got

to do, if you really want the rewards for that. That is something remarkable about her. -Do you watch cricket? -Yeah. All the cricketers that have come, I've asked them this, what separates the best at international level? It's not as simple as saying mental game separates the best. What's inside the mental side. So they said, everyone has an intensity to be a professional athlete. But to keep that intensity going for very long, that is what… But it's the same with your industry too. Intensity has to be stretched over a very long period of time. There's a

little brutal question for you. How does it feel to be Vicky Kaushal right now? Because from an external perspective, your career is flying. How does it feel? It is great. It's great. It's great because... A lot of effort has gone in it. Really, a lot of hard work has gone into it. But now looking back, feels scary. Then I used to not feel, there's effort going in. A lot of hard work has gone in. Knocking on the doors. Am I fit for the audition? But now when I look back, I feel, maybe I can't do

it now. It's not there in me anymore. Because I've seen this. But it has value. That man, it feels good. I hold it to my chest like that. That I have to increase it. I don't want to decrease it. If I today say that Sam Bahadur is the toughest role I've done, I want to change that in my next film. I want to be able to say, that no, you know what, I've topped that. This is my toughest role now. And I want to keep pushing myself to that level. Be it success or failure, it's

not in my hands. But at least I want to feel that I gave it so much that yes, there is room for success. So, I have to do that. So whatever I am right now, whatever is going on in my life. Firstly, there's a lot of gratitude. Because I had never thought. I had started with small roles. So now when getting such opportunities, getting so much love from the audience, it feels really good. And you feel that this is very special. Safeguard it. Each and every person coming to me for a selfie or an autograph

means the world to me. Because I have walked on the streets, not anybody knowing me, and I wanted to change that. And now that it's changed, I don't want, I want more of it. And I get asked many times, don't you get tired? People who are coming to me for selfies, and they've seen me for 10 minutes, okay, yes he was doing this, they only ask, am I tired for that? I said, no, this is something I was doing for many years that that was tiring for me to get this from you. So I want

24 hours of this. So it's a good feeling. It's a feeling of gratitude. And it motivates me also, this time that is going on. What is your goal for your career? What do you mean? How far do you want to take it? What is my goal? As far as I can go. I have not put a finish line for myself. It's like that checkered flag is a mirage for me. I wanted to be there, but I don't want to reach there. Because as they say that the wolf climbing the hill is always hungrier than the

wolf on the hill. So I want to be the wolf climbing the hill. I want to keep seeing that peak, and the peak I should never reach. Because every time I, you know, once you reach there, you've reached there. Now what? You're going to come down only. Or you stay there. But I just want to keep climbing. So goal is something that I'll probably set a new goal every year, every phase, every few years. But whatever the limits are, for this profession or whatever, I want to achieve them all. Do you have a success metric?

No man. Absolutely not? Get a good sleep on the bed. That's the daily success metric. Means literally. That is a very holistic success metric. Because success is not just for me, it's not just a job. It's for me as a husband, it's for me as a son, it's for me as a brother, it's for me as an actor, it's for me as a public figure, it's for me as everything put together, I need to feel successful. Not just as an actor. And in this journey, what is the trade-off in the uphill climb? Social life. Maybe

not... I won't say friendship, but you can't get as much as you want. Pure friendship. Pure friendships last. That's not dependent on the number of times you meet them or talk to them. No, no, I'm saying lack of new pure friendship. No. I feel like the new pure, when you're saying pure, it's a very like, meaning pure. Pure friendships, they don't even happen regularly in anyone's life. They come and then they stay. And they happen on their own, they happen organically, you don't plan that. You are also not prepared, that okay this is going to

be pure, but it happens. So when that is to happen, it is bound to happen. No one can stop that. But I feel that yes when-- Like my college friends, all my engineering friends, I love them to bits. That really is like one part of my life which I can call truly like family. Which they are. But I sometimes don't get to meet them as much as I would want to. Spend time with them as much as I would want to. And so many times I really feel FOMO'ed. I can't, I'm not there or whatever.

But that's a very small price you pay. And thank God that they are true friends because they understand. This is what you mean by social life, -lack of social life. -Yeah. -Just this factor. -Yeah. That with the bros, your group... But my true social circle is very small. It's very small. It's like my family and these friends and a few friends from the industry. But apart from that, the social life there and so on, that's okay, that will come and go. You'll attend some, you'll miss some. That's a different story. Are you comfortable naming who

from the industry? Yeah, there's Amritpal Singh Bindra, there's Anand Tiwari. He's a director. I've gone for his drama coaching -when I was a kid. -Really? Yeah, Anand Tiwari, anyway. He had directed-- These two guys, I met them during 'Love per Square Foot'. And Anand's wife, Angira, who was my co-star. These guys are like family. And yes, these are there. Maybe there are one or two more, that I don't remember now? But there are a few people. Vicky Kaushal, I just want to say that you are the pride of Indian engineering students. This was a lot

of fun talking to you, honestly. I hope you also had fun, bro. Wow, these are the closing lines? Yea, yeah. Wow, man! I didn't feel like, for me also it's like, it's fun for me where I feel like I had a genuine chat. Where it's not a presentation of who I am, what I am, what film is coming up or whatever. We're just having a conversation. And hope, I'm sure that's how it's going to reach them. It really was fantastic being here and connecting to you and connecting to your viewers through the show. I'm just

very thankful for having me on the show. So, thank you for that. No, I have some last things to tell you, not to ask you. Through every podcast, I know about my guests. The whole intention of the show is to get into your heart rather than just your mind. What I said at the start, and I know you're aware of this, but maybe I'm just repeating myself. You're a very, very blessed human. You're definitely a hard worker, you are disciplined, you are a thinker, you are an engineering grad. But along with that, there's a big

role of destiny in your life. -I agree. -A very big role -to get selected for particular parts. -100%. -Even from the start. -100%. When you say about Masaan why were you the AD with the actual director? There's too much destiny that's gone into your life and it's very obvious even from the outside. This is what I knew about you before I actually spoke to you today. I'm just very, I won't say curious, I'm very happy and excited to see that hill that you're climbing on. Because maybe you don't want to look at the checkered line

and maybe there's no checkered line but we can see it. So it's great, bro. I just wish you all the luck. Thank you, Ranveer. Really, it's very nice talking to you just as a guy. Forget even the engineering college stuff. For once we need to forget that. But yeah, that's all I wanted to say. Maybe I'm just being PR for… No, but it was fun. I seriously enjoyed. So before we leave, on behalf of Team TRS and Mountain Dew, we have a little gift for you, bro. It's courage and fear. This is for your pre-Sanju

and pre-Uri phase. Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai courage award. Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai courage award for you bro. So thank you for everything you've given us through cinema. And just very excited to see where you're going, bro. All the best. Honestly, what I wanted to say to you, I wasn't able to encapsulate in words but that leaves room for a second podcast. -Thank you so much, bro. -Thank you, man. And all the best for Sam Bahadur. Thank you so much. Thank you, brother. So friends, this was today's podcast and in every podcast outro, I

share my own thoughts with you. It was nice talking to Vicky Kaushal. I've seen a lot of his panel discussions where he has talked about engineering. I think he's a very, very good speaker. I think there are a lot of podcasts in him. I'm sure this is not the last time I'm seeing him. I'm sure this is not the last time I'm speaking to him. In the world of films, or not in the world of films. Generally, the top industries of the country, there are a lot of people in them whose personality is one type

in front of the camera and the other type behind the camera. Vicky Kaushal is the same guy. He's very work-oriented. He's completely present and is very humble. I hope that you guys understood his humility. A lot of people come to this podcast room and open but after some time. He opened up when he sat on the seat. That's the greatness of this guy. That's why I feel he's getting so much success in his life. I've learned a lot from him. He doesn't talk much about his difficult phases but he has also struggled a lot. He's

worked very hard. He's shown a lot of courage. He's gone ahead of fear. And that's why he was a very special guest on Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai stories on TRS. Friends, if you too want to meet me, then please participate in this contest. Go to Mountain Dew India's Instagram page and comment on the top post there, share your Darr Se Jeet Tak story with the hashtag Darr Ke Aage Jeet Hai stories and 5 people out of you will get a chance to meet me. Please keep following TRS. Lots more coming up. We will see

you in 3 days with some more stories of courage. 🎶[Music]🎶 🎶[Music]🎶 🎶[Music]🎶