Today, Vicky Kaushal stands tall as one of Bollywood's most reliable and successful stars. However, his path to fame included a surprising and ironic detour—a stint behind bars. This incident, far removed from any criminal activity, was entirely rooted in his passion for cinema.
The Unplanned Arrest on Set
The remarkable anecdote recently came back into the spotlight when filmmaker Anurag Kashyap revisited it on The Kapil Sharma Show, causing the clip to go viral across social media platforms. Kashyap revealed that the event took place during the filming of his iconic movie, Gangs of Wasseypur.
Known for his guerrilla-style filmmaking, Kashyap had taken his crew to shoot at a real location without securing official permissions. Unbeknownst to the team, the site was actively being used for illegal sand mining operations. As the filming proceeded, authorities arrived swiftly, leading to a sudden crackdown.
From Assistant Director to Detainee
The police detained several members of the cast and crew, resulting in multiple arrests. Among those taken into custody was a young Vicky Kaushal, who was then working as an assistant director under Anurag Kashyap. This was years before his acting debut and breakthrough performances that would later define his career.
Fortunately, his time in custody was brief, and the incident eventually became a mere footnote in his remarkable journey. It stands as a testament to the unpredictable challenges faced by artists in the pursuit of authentic storytelling.
From Jail to Jubilation: Vicky's Meteoric Rise
Today, Vicky Kaushal is celebrated for his powerful performances in critically acclaimed films like Masaan, the blockbuster Uri: The Surgical Strike, and the biopic Sam Bahadur. The year 2025 has been particularly phenomenal for the actor.
He delivered the biggest hit of his career with Chhaava, where he portrayed the valiant Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of the great Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. On the personal front, Vicky and his wife, actress Katrina Kaif, welcomed their first child, a baby boy, adding immense joy to their lives.
Looking ahead, his professional slate is equally exciting. He is set to appear in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-anticipated mega-project, Love & War, alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, scheduled for release later this year. Following that, he will team up with director Amar Kaushik for Mahavatar, a film based on the life of Lord Parshuram.
Vicky Kaushal's journey—from an accidental arrest during his assistant director days to becoming a leading man and a proud parent—highlights a career built on dedication, talent, and now, a legendary behind-the-scenes story.