In a recent interview with popular news portal Hindustan Times, actor Vikhyat Gulati shares his life story, which begins with his early life and continues to describe his fight for survival in Mumbai and his theater education in New York and his achievement of a role in the successful series Kohrra Season 2.
Early Love for Theatre
Vikhyat Gulati started his acting career when he reached Delhi after he spent his early years in a Punjabi family. Vikhyat started performing arts when he participated in theater productions and school plays at a young age. “I won’t call it a dream, but it was always a work in progress,” he says. Kids play different sports and pick up different hobbies, but for me it was always the stage. I don’t know if it was a subconscious choice or too attractive or too daring for me to speak and act in front of the audience.”
His first experience on stage occurred when he performed a Joker monologue at preschool. The performance ended when stage fright made him cry during the show. The embarrassing incident failed to diminish his passion for the stage, which he maintained throughout his life. Gulati developed a strong passion for acting and storytelling and public performances through his active participation in school theater productions.
Choosing Passion Over a Conventional Career
Gulati started his career path by choosing a standard job, which he later left when he received admission to the Institute of Hotel Management IHM Pusa in Delhi after passing entrance exams. Theater culture at Delhi University became his new life path because his friend introduced him to that world. He discovered a new life path through university theater, which enabled him to study acting at a more advanced level. He gained essential knowledge about his art through his time on stage, which included him taking part in both performance and behind-the-scenes roles of production, lighting, writing, and direction.
Struggles and Survival in Mumbai
The most challenging time in Gulati’s life occurred when he moved to Mumbai to follow his acting dreams. He experienced financial difficulties and life uncertainties, which all dream-chasing actors face after arriving in the city. He reached a point where he became homeless in Mumbai as he attempted to break into the highly competitive entertainment field. Gulati chose to continue developing his acting skills because he believed that persistent work would eventually bring him success in the entertainment industry.
Training in theater in New York
Gulati sought international training opportunities, which he believed would help him improve his acting skills. He dedicated time to studying theater in New York, which allowed him to develop his acting skills through practical learning. His experience with international theater traditions enabled him to develop a wider understanding of acting, which he used to enhance his artistic abilities. The training developed his confidence while enabling him to pursue advanced career opportunities within the film and digital entertainment industry.
The Viral Flames Moment
Before landing a bigger opportunity in Kohrra 2, Gulati gained recognition through a brief but memorable moment in the popular web series Flames. The scene quickly went viral online, with audiences resonating with the emotional authenticity of his performance. The sudden increase in public attention brought him to new audiences through online platforms, which established his presence in the OTT industry while also serving as a critical career milestone for him.
Landing a Role in Kohrra, Season 2
Vikhyat auditioned for his role in Kohrra but never intended to play the character. “We had open calls in over 15 cities. We were literally on the streets casting for this project,” he says. The team conducted auditions with approximately 150 actors to find an actor for the character Johnny Malang. “I was never auditioning other people, thinking I want to play this part. But when we were in Chandigarh-Panchkula, another casting assistant and I were jamming on the scene and recorded it. He said that the final product turned out to be excellent.
Gulati achieved his goal after many years of work because he secured his first role in the next season of Kohrra, which critics highly praised. The show has gained dedicated fans since its first season because of its powerful storytelling and exceptional acting performances. Gulati considers his involvement in the project to be his most important achievement because it proves all of his efforts throughout his life. His path from performing in theater shows and walking through Mumbai streets to joining a popular OTT series demonstrates the dedication and perseverance needed to achieve success in show business.
