Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Anurag Kashyap on Actors' Journeys: Bobby Deol Learned Acting at 40, Vicky Kaushal Worked Hard Since 20
Imagine two actors, Vicky and Bobby.
Vicky knew he wanted to be an actor when he was really young.
He worked on movie sets even before he was famous, helped make movies, and then went to acting school and did small parts.
It took him a long time of hard work to become a big star.
Bobby became a big star very quickly when he was young.
But then, for a long time, he didn't get many roles, and it made him very sad and angry.
He felt forgotten.
It wasn't until he was 40 years old that he started really learning how to act in workshops.
He also came back and became popular again.
The filmmaker says that both had to work hard, but in different ways.
One knew early and trained, the other had a tough time and learned later, but both had to give their all to acting.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap discussed the contrasting career trajectories of actors Vicky Kaushal and Bobby Deol.
Kashyap noted Vicky Kaushal's early ambition, his work as an assistant director, and dedication to theatre before gaining wider recognition.
He contrasted this with Bobby Deol's experience of early stardom followed by a career slump, during which he felt forgotten.
Kashyap shared that Bobby Deol began formally learning acting through workshops around the age of 40.
The filmmaker emphasized that both actors, despite their different paths, demonstrated hard work and had to 'surrender' to their art.
- Who
- Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap
- What
- Discussed the different career paths and learning processes of actors Bobby Deol and Vicky Kaushal, emphasizing the importance of dedication and 'surrendering' to acting.
- When
- In a recent interview.
- Where
- Not explicitly stated, but discussing his films and actors' careers.
- Why
- To highlight that actors have diverse journeys to success and that continuous learning and dedication are crucial, whether starting young or later in life.
Vicky Kaushal's Path
Bobby Deol's Path
Early Career Clarity and Training
Vicky Kaushal's Path
Vicky Kaushal knew he wanted to be an actor from a young age, worked as an assistant director, dedicated 2-3 years to theatre, and took on supporting roles before achieving stardom.
Bobby Deol's Path
Bobby Deol became a star early in his career but faced a significant downturn. He only began actively learning acting techniques around the age of 40 after a long period with less work.
Struggle and Career Turnaround
Vicky Kaushal's Path
Kaushal's hard work and dedication led to him shining in supporting roles, which eventually earned him leading opportunities.
Bobby Deol's Path
Deol experienced a career slump where work dried up and he felt forgotten. His career was revived with OTT projects and a prominent role in 'Animal'.
Perspective on Acting Art
Vicky Kaushal's Path
Kashyap highlights Kaushal's early understanding that success in acting requires more than just opportunity, leading him to pursue theatre.
Bobby Deol's Path
Kashyap emphasizes Deol's admission of feeling intense pain and anger during his career low points, and how 'surrendering' to the art helped him. Deol learned acting workshops at 40.
- Filmmaker Interviewed
- Anurag Kashyap
- Vicky Kaushal's Early Work
- Assistant director on 'Gangs of Wasseypur', theatre work with Manav Kaul and Kumud Mishra
- Bobby Deol's Career Low
- Experienced a period where work dried up and felt forgotten
- Bobby Deol's Learning Age
- Started learning acting through workshops at 40
- Bobby Deol's Comeback Projects
- 'Class of ’83', 'Aashram', 'Animal'
- Bobby Deol's Feeling During Downturn
- Drove around Juhu and felt angry or cried when spotting film sets