Vicky Kaushal took his first-ever drink for a role! Gained 15 Kg, trained 8 hrs a day for transformation

In Bollywood today, Vicky Kaushal stands without a true contemporary. In a remarkably short span of time, he has earned a reputation as one of the finest actors of his generation, even bagging a National Award along the way. He’s not only a critical favourite, but also a leading face of commercial cinema. From high-octane action to energetic dance numbers, Vicky carries every masala ingredient in his arsenal. His deep commitment to cinema is evident in the sheer dedication he brings to every role he plays.

Vicky hails from a Punjabi family. Though they’ve lived in Mumbai for many years, their roots lie in Hoshiarpur of Punjab. Punjabis are typically known for their fondness for alcohol, yet Vicky has never had an interest in it. In fact, he hadn’t touched alcohol until he entered the film industry—and even then, only for the sake of authenticity in his performances.

His first experience with alcohol was during the filming of Masaan. It was for an emotionally intense scene. Consuming alcohol for the first time, Vicky broke into uncontrollable tears—something that hadn’t been written in the script. But the director was so moved by the raw emotion that he decided to keep the scene. The audience, too, deeply connected with Vicky’s performance in ‘Masaan’. 

In Sanju, Vicky shared a scene with veteran actor Paresh Rawal, where his character had to appear intoxicated. Once again, Vicky chose to drink for real to add credibility to the scene. Similarly, for a particular scene in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki, he resorted to alcohol to bring the required depth to his character.

In the early years of his career, Vicky had a lean frame. Standing over six feet tall, his slender build appeared even more pronounced. But that changed when he was cast in Uri: The Surgical Strike, based on the Indian military’s 2016 response to a terrorist attack in Uri. Aditya Dhar’s film demanded physical transformation, and Vicky embraced the challenge wholeheartedly.

To portray Vihaan Singh Shergill, an Indian Army officer, Vicky undertook rigorous training to build a muscular physique. He followed a strict diet and gained fifteen kilograms. The role earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor that year—a testament to his hard work and transformation.

More recently, Vicky stunned audiences in the historical epic ‘Chhava’, where he portrayed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The film emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, raking in over ₹800 crore at the box office.
 

For ‘Chhava’, Vicky trained intensively for over six months. Gym sessions were non-negotiable, and his diet was tailored to enhance strength and build muscle. He mastered horse riding and sword fighting, enduring several injuries in the process. He also worked hard to perfect the authentic Marathi dialect of his character. Every day, he dedicated six to eight hours to preparing for the role.

Vicky Kaushal doesn’t just act—he surrenders himself to each character. His journey is one of persistence, transformation and an unflinching passion for his craft. In an era of fleeting fame, Vicky stands tall—both literally and metaphorically—as a reminder of what it means to truly live a role.