Vicky Kaushal, amidst promotions for his upcoming film Bad Newz, recently opened up about the harrowing struggles his father, Sham Kaushal, endured before establishing himself as a prominent action director in the film industry. In a candid interview with Raj Shamani, Vicky recounted how his father, initially grappling with joblessness in Punjab, reached a point where he contemplated suicide.
“My dad’s journey was incredibly tough,” Vicky expressed in Hindi, reflecting on Sham Kaushal’s early years. “Back in our village in Punjab, my parents had modest roots. My grandfather ran a small kirana shop. Dad moved to Mumbai in 1978 with an MA in English literature, but found himself without employment. It was a dire situation. One evening, after a drinking session with friends, he expressed a desire to end his life.”
Fearing for his father’s well-being, Vicky’s grandfather intervened and sent Sham to Mumbai with a trusted companion. In the city of dreams, Sham was willing to take any job, even contemplating working as a sweeper to make ends meet discreetly.
“He was determined,” Vicky continued, reflecting on Sham’s resilience. “The uncertainty in this industry is overwhelming. You finish one project, and you’re immediately concerned about what’s next. My family initially celebrated my decision to pursue a stable job with regular hours and security, but I knew deep down I couldn’t conform to a typical 9-to-5 routine.”