Hard work pays off, and Vicky Kaushal in Chhava is a great example of that.
If you see Vicky Kaushal in 'Masaan', and then you see him in 'Chhava'—with the roar and applause that has surrounded him since the film’s release—it becomes even more fascinating to trace his journey. In 'Masaan', he played Deepak, a small-town boy with zero privilege, trying hard to land a job and make something of himself. As Vicky once said in an interview, “Success is less about where you reach, but more about where you started from.” And that sums up his real-life journey too. Much like Deepak, he stepped into the world of Hindi cinema without the usual privileges (although his father is an action director) that launched many Bollywood careers. He started small, with indie films and powerful performances, slowly carving his own space in an industry known for its gatekeeping. Today, he is a star. Maybe not in the same league as a Ranbir Kapoor when it comes to lineage or box office pull, but his rise has its own gravity. Because he has worked really, really hard, and has always been committed to the art of cinema and acting.
Speaking about Kaushal's determination, on his birthday today, let's learn how he prepared for his role in 'Chhava'.
If you thought Kaushal just slapped on some armor, mounted a horse, and became Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj overnight—think again. This transformation was six months of blood (not literally, but close), sweat (definitely), and probably a few sore muscles he never knew existed.
Here’s what went into the making of this modern-day Maratha warrior:
First things first—what’s an Indian warrior king without his sword? Vicky trained in sword fighting for months, often up to 8 hours a day. And no, this wasn’t your Bollywood-style slow-mo action. This was gritty, precise, full-contact weaponry that left him with, as he called it, “a new scar every day.”
“Action in this film wasn’t a one-take wonder. It was muscle memory, timing, and bruises. Lots of bruises,” Vicky revealed. If swords could talk, they’d probably say, “This guy’s giving us a run for our edge.”
Next up—horses. Because a Maratha king doesn’t Uber his way into battle.
Vicky trained extensively in horse riding, learning to not just sit pretty but to command the horse like a battlefield boss. Anyone who has ever tried riding a horse knows that looking royal while bouncing up and down is no joke. But by the end of training, he looked like he could lead a cavalry charge before breakfast.
#VickyKaushal learning horse riding for Chhatrapati #SambhajiMaharaj biopic #Chhava pic.twitter.com/XvFLJmQmhX
— $@M (@SAMTHEBESTEST_) October 23, 2023
(Credit: $@M)
“I had to bond with the horse. Make it trust me. And also, try not to fall off,” he joked in an interview.
Vicky gained a whopping 25 kilograms for this role.
“I had to look like I could fight a lion,” he said in an interview. So, he hit the gym with a vengeance, packed on muscle, and bulked up to 105 kg. This meant saying goodbye to his chiseled model look and hello to proteins, heavy lifting, and serious discipline.
(Credit: bollyfreaksofficial)
His diet consisted of six meals a day, protein-packed and boring enough to make cake cry. But all for the glory of 'Chhava'.
See, acting is not just about looking the part, but also feeling it inside. Vicky wanted to understand Sambhaji Maharaj. He read up on the warrior king’s life, his politics, his battles, and his inner struggles.
He also worked closely with historians and the film's team to grasp the emotional depth of the character who stood tall in one of the most dramatic chapters of Maratha history.
(Credit: vickykaushal09)
All of this came with one non-negotiable ingredient: insane discipline. Vicky called this prep phase one of the most demanding times of his life. Imagine juggling swordplay, horse riding, weight training, historical research—and doing it every day like clockwork.
“This film demanded the most from me physically, emotionally, and mentally,” he shared. “But I knew I couldn’t do justice to the character unless I gave it everything.”
(Credit: Netflix India)
And he did. From a dashing rom-com hero in 'Bad Newz' to a lionhearted warrior in 'Chhava', his journey is the stuff modern acting legends are made of.
Now when you see him charging into battle on screen, know that every swing, scar, and snarl has months of sweat behind it.
