Before he became one of Bollywood’s most respected action directors, Sham Kaushal lived a life of hardship that many wouldn’t associate with the father of a movie star. Arriving in Mumbai in 1978 with just Rs 3,000—borrowed by his father—Kaushal had a single goal: to repay the debt. Originally aspiring to be a lecturer after completing his MA in English Literature in Punjab, Kaushal’s plans were cut short due to financial constraints.
As revealed in a recent podcast with Aman Aujla, he found a job as a salesman in Mumbai earning Rs 350 a month. His daily routine involved taking two buses and a train to reach his office in Chembur, leaving him with just Re 1 for both lunch and dinner. Kaushal often ate misal pav and batata vada, priced at just a few paise. Cigarettes were out of reach; he settled for 10-paisa bidis instead.
When he couldn’t afford the deposit for a chawl, he began living in his office and walked daily to a friend’s place in Ghatkopar just to change clothes. He had only two trousers and three shirts. A year later, he was laid off, which became a turning point. With low self-confidence and poor communication skills, he made two decisions: never to work a job again and never to leave Mumbai.
A Chance Entry Into Films
Kaushal’s path shifted when he befriended a few fellow Punjabis working as stuntmen. They encouraged him to join the Stuntman Association in 1980. The Rs 1,000 membership fee was raised through multiple friends. This led to his first opportunities in the film industry.
Soon after, he came into contact with Veeru Devgan, a well-known action director. Veeru saw Kaushal’s potential and informally hired him. Kaushal assisted him, doing everything from carrying bags to bringing tea. Over time, Veeru added his name to fight sequences, allowing him to start earning. Later, Kaushal joined Pappu Verma to learn more about stunt direction, though he wasn’t paid during that period.
He began working regularly around 1983, performing stunts and doubling for actors. His big break came with Sunny Deol’s Betaab, where his performance earned him Rs 500—five times the usual pay. This marked the beginning of a steady career that peaked in the 1990s.
Battle with Cancer and Silent Resilience
Years later, while shooting in Ladakh for Lakshya, Kaushal experienced severe abdominal pain. At an army hospital, doctors gave him a grim outlook, leaving him so distraught that he briefly considered ending his life. He was recovering from surgery and physically unable to act on the thought.
Kaushal kept his diagnosis private, fearing it would affect his career. He turned to prayer, asking for just ten more years to raise his young children. Eventually, he underwent several surgeries, and the cancer did not spread. That decade turned into more than twenty years of life and work.
Full Circle
Today, Sham Kaushal is the proud father of two Bollywood actors—Vicky Kaushal and Sunny Kaushal and his daughter-in-law is none other than Katrina Kaif, who married Vicky in 2021. Vicky, in particular, has achieved massive box office success. His recent film Chhaava earned Rs 807.88 crore worldwide, as reported by Sacnilk. It’s a significant milestone not just for Vicky but for the entire Kaushal family.
Once working unpaid as an assistant to Veeru Devgan, Kaushal has now seen his son competing with Devgan’s son, Ajay Devgn, at the box office. His story is a rare example of grit, transformation, and quiet perseverance—an inspiring journey from Rs 350 a month to a legacy worth crores.
As revealed in a recent podcast with Aman Aujla, he found a job as a salesman in Mumbai earning Rs 350 a month. His daily routine involved taking two buses and a train to reach his office in Chembur, leaving him with just Re 1 for both lunch and dinner. Kaushal often ate misal pav and batata vada, priced at just a few paise. Cigarettes were out of reach; he settled for 10-paisa bidis instead.
When he couldn’t afford the deposit for a chawl, he began living in his office and walked daily to a friend’s place in Ghatkopar just to change clothes. He had only two trousers and three shirts. A year later, he was laid off, which became a turning point. With low self-confidence and poor communication skills, he made two decisions: never to work a job again and never to leave Mumbai.
A Chance Entry Into Films
Kaushal’s path shifted when he befriended a few fellow Punjabis working as stuntmen. They encouraged him to join the Stuntman Association in 1980. The Rs 1,000 membership fee was raised through multiple friends. This led to his first opportunities in the film industry.
Soon after, he came into contact with Veeru Devgan, a well-known action director. Veeru saw Kaushal’s potential and informally hired him. Kaushal assisted him, doing everything from carrying bags to bringing tea. Over time, Veeru added his name to fight sequences, allowing him to start earning. Later, Kaushal joined Pappu Verma to learn more about stunt direction, though he wasn’t paid during that period.
He began working regularly around 1983, performing stunts and doubling for actors. His big break came with Sunny Deol’s Betaab, where his performance earned him Rs 500—five times the usual pay. This marked the beginning of a steady career that peaked in the 1990s.
Battle with Cancer and Silent Resilience
Years later, while shooting in Ladakh for Lakshya, Kaushal experienced severe abdominal pain. At an army hospital, doctors gave him a grim outlook, leaving him so distraught that he briefly considered ending his life. He was recovering from surgery and physically unable to act on the thought.
Kaushal kept his diagnosis private, fearing it would affect his career. He turned to prayer, asking for just ten more years to raise his young children. Eventually, he underwent several surgeries, and the cancer did not spread. That decade turned into more than twenty years of life and work.
Full Circle
Today, Sham Kaushal is the proud father of two Bollywood actors—Vicky Kaushal and Sunny Kaushal and his daughter-in-law is none other than Katrina Kaif, who married Vicky in 2021. Vicky, in particular, has achieved massive box office success. His recent film Chhaava earned Rs 807.88 crore worldwide, as reported by Sacnilk. It’s a significant milestone not just for Vicky but for the entire Kaushal family.
Once working unpaid as an assistant to Veeru Devgan, Kaushal has now seen his son competing with Devgan’s son, Ajay Devgn, at the box office. His story is a rare example of grit, transformation, and quiet perseverance—an inspiring journey from Rs 350 a month to a legacy worth crores.
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