Vicky Kaushal — the engineer who gave up a safe career to chase an impossible dream, and became one of Bollywood’s most respected actors — has built his stardom the hard way. With no shortcuts despite being the son of a well-known action director, he went from assisting on Gangs of Wasseypur to winning the National Film Award for Best Actor for Uri: The Surgical Strike, and today headlines some of the biggest films on Bollywood’s calendar.
Here is the complete biography: his age, family, marriage to Katrina Kaif, career, net worth, and what’s next in 2026.
Vicky Kaushal Quick Facts
| Full Name | Vicky Kaushal |
| Born | 16 May 1988, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Age | 38 years (in 2026) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 2012 – Present |
| Father | Sham Kaushal (action director) |
| Mother | Veena Kaushal (homemaker) |
| Brother | Sunny Kaushal (actor) |
| Wife | Katrina Kaif (married 9 December 2021) |
| Children | Vihaan Kaushal (born 7 November 2025) |
| Height | Approx. 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Education | B.E. in Electronics & Telecommunications, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Mumbai; acting training at Kishore Namit Kapoor’s Acting Institute |
| Debut | Masaan (2015) |
| Major Award | National Film Award for Best Actor (Uri: The Surgical Strike) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Unverified media estimates range widely (see below) |
Early Life and Education
Born on 16 May 1988 in Mumbai to a Punjabi family with roots in Hoshiarpur, Vicky Kaushal grew up in a modest suburban chawl. His father, Sham Kaushal, is a renowned action director and stunt coordinator in Hindi cinema, while his mother Veena Kaushal is a homemaker. His younger brother Sunny Kaushal followed him into acting.
Despite his father’s position in the industry, Vicky had a middle-class upbringing. He earned a degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Mumbai — but during college he realised a desk job wasn’t for him. After graduating, he trained as an actor at Kishore Namit Kapoor’s Acting Institute and began his journey the long way round: as an assistant director to Anurag Kashyap on Gangs of Wasseypur (2012).
Career: From Assistant Director to National Award Winner
The Breakthrough: Masaan (2015)
After small appearances in Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (2012) and Bombay Velvet (2015), Vicky got his first leading role in Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan (2015). The film won two awards at Cannes, and Vicky’s performance as a young man navigating love and grief in Varanasi made critics sit up — the new kid could genuinely act.
The Rise: Raazi, Sanju, and the Uri Explosion
2018 was the year Vicky Kaushal went from promising to indispensable. He played Iqbal in Alia Bhatt’s spy thriller Raazi — a role of quiet restraint — and Kamli in Ranbir Kapoor’s blockbuster Sanju, where he stole scenes as Sanjay Dutt’s loyal best friend. Then came Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), where his “How’s the josh?” became a national catchphrase and the film turned him into a bankable solo hero — earning him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
Sardar Udham and the Mature Phase
Refusing to coast on action-hero mode, Vicky chose Shoojit Sircar’s Sardar Udham (2021), playing the revolutionary who avenged Jallianwala Bagh — a physically and emotionally gruelling performance many consider his finest. He balanced serious cinema with crowd-pleasers like Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023) and the historical epic Sam Bahadur (2023), in which he played Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
Chhaava (2025)
His most recent release, Chhaava, saw him in a powerful historical role that continued his run of physically transformative performances.
Family: Wife Katrina Kaif and Son Vihaan
Vicky Kaushal married superstar Katrina Kaif on 9 December 2021 in an intimate ceremony at Six Senses Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. One of Bollywood’s most loved couples, they balance public affection with fierce privacy.
In November 2025, the couple welcomed their first child — a son named Vihaan Kaushal (name shared publicly in January 2026). Vicky has spoken warmly about how fatherhood has redefined his understanding of happiness and made him more conscious of his own behaviour, since his son learns everything by watching.
Vicky remains close to his parents and his brother Sunny, and often credits his father’s discipline and his mother’s grounding for keeping him humble despite stardom.
Vicky Kaushal Net Worth (2026)
Vicky Kaushal has never officially disclosed his net worth, and published figures vary dramatically — media estimates range from roughly ₹40 crore to ₹160 crore (about $5–20 million) depending on the outlet. These are unverified media estimates, not audited figures, so take every specific number with caution.
What is well reported: he charges in the region of ₹8–10 crore per film, commands ₹1–2 crore+ per brand endorsement (brands include Havells, Reliance Trends, and Oppo), and owns premium Mumbai real estate. His income streams — films, endorsements, OTT projects, and event appearances — keep growing alongside his star value.
What’s Next: Love & War and Mahavatar
Vicky’s upcoming slate is one of the most exciting in Bollywood:
- Love & War — Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic romantic drama co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, with a first look unveiled in September 2026 showing Vicky in a dark, intense avatar. A January 2027 release is targeted.
- Mahavatar — a mythological epic directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Maddock Films, in which Vicky plays the immortal warrior Parashurama. He is reportedly dedicating 18 months exclusively to the project.
- Rajkumar Hirani’s untitled film — announced to begin production after Mahavatar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vicky Kaushal’s age in 2026?
He was born on 16 May 1988 — 38 years old.
Who is Vicky Kaushal’s wife?
Katrina Kaif — they married on 9 December 2021 in Rajasthan.
Does Vicky Kaushal have children?
Yes — a son, Vihaan Kaushal, born 7 November 2025.
Who are Vicky Kaushal’s parents?
His father is action director Sham Kaushal; his mother is Veena Kaushal. His brother Sunny Kaushal is also an actor.
What was Vicky Kaushal’s debut film?
Masaan (2015), after working as an assistant director on Gangs of Wasseypur.
What is Vicky Kaushal’s net worth?
No official figure exists. Unverified media estimates range from about ₹40 crore to ₹160 crore.
What is Vicky Kaushal’s next movie?
Love & War (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt) and Mahavatar (as Parashurama).
What award did Vicky Kaushal win for Uri?
The National Film Award for Best Actor for Uri: The Surgical Strike.
Final Thoughts
From an engineering graduate who quit the safe path to a National Award-winning actor headlining Bhansali epics and mythological blockbusters — Vicky Kaushal’s story is proof that patience and craft still count in Bollywood. With Love & War and Mahavatar ahead, the next two years could be his biggest yet.
Also read: Ranbir Kapoor: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026) and Alia Bhatt: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026)
For more on his recent fatherhood reflections and the Love & War first look, see Zoom TV’s coverage of Vicky Kaushal.
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