Actor Vikhyat Gulati's journey from Delhi's theatre circuits to Mumbai's competitive entertainment industry has been anything but easy. In an interview with Hindustan Times, he opens up about humble beginnings, struggling to survive in Mumbai, learning theatre in New York, and eventually bagging a role in the acclaimed series Kohrra season 2.
Vikhyat was born and raised in Delhi in a Punjabi family and initially wanted to pursue hotel management. However, he was influenced by his friend to join Delhi University, where he discovered his passion for theatre. He later studied theatre in New York, where he faced challenges and criticism from his teachers.
After returning to India, Vikhyat worked behind the scenes in casting until the pandemic paused everything. He eventually landed a role in Kohrra season 1 and was approached again for season 2 due to his Punjabi language skills. Vikhyat never auditioned for his role in Kohrra with the intention of playing it himself, but his recording of the scene impressed the team, and he was cast as Johnny Malang.
Vikhyat's move to Mumbai came with its share of harsh lessons, including being stranded on the road with no place to stay. He did every possible job in the industry, including writing scripts for reality shows and acting in dance shows without credit. His big break came when he appeared in the popular youth series Flames, where his scene went viral on social media.
Vikhyat's moment of virality helped ease the pressure from his parents, who were initially worried about his career in Mumbai. His father's emotional reaction to his viral scene was a turning point for him, and soon, fans started recognising him on the streets. Kohrra Season 2, which also stars Mona Singh and Barun Sobti, is available to watch on Netflix.
