Esquire India’s Cover Star Vicky Kaushal Is Leading His Own Way

From assisting on the sets of Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) to now headlining box office hits like Chhaava (2025), Vicky Kaushal has come a long way.

He arrived quietly, in Masaan (2015), as a young man navigating love and loss on the ghats of Varanasi. As we watched his eyes carry the weight of unspoken grief and in the stillness on the Ghats, we saw a new Bollywood star being born. Unlike the ready-made stars of his generation, Kaushal earned his place through raw talent and relentless dedication. No fanfare, the son of an action director chose to forge his own path.

In the new age of Bollywood, he has truly embodied the meaning of versatility. He's the quintessential Punjabi boy-next-door in Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023), the fearless warrior in Sam Bahadur (2023), and the relentless freedom fighter in Sardar Udham (2021). His performances are nuanced, striking a balance between intensity and vulnerability—qualities that make him one of the most compelling actors of his generation.

His National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards stand testament to a career built not on stardom but on substance. But it’s not just about his acting prowess. Kaushal carries a chocolate boy charm, an old-school charisma mixed with the easy relatability of a millennial star. Whether it’s his “Tauba Tauba” dance moves, his fashion choices, or his off-screen humility, he exudes an aura that makes him a favourite both on and off the screen.

He’s a perfect Esquire man – sophisticated, grounded approachable. In an industry often dazzled by superficial glamour, Kaushal represents the modern Indian man who balances ambition with integrity, style with substance, and stardom with craft. 

With his upcoming collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Love & War, alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, Kaushal is poised for even greater heights.

We hope you enjoy the cover shoot and images – it’ll all be unveiled soon.

Credits

Chairperson: Avarna Jain

COO: Jamal Shaikh

Editor: Rahul Gangwani

Fashion and Creative Direction: Vijendra Bhardwaj

Editorial Mentor: Saira Menezes

Managing Editor: Sonal Nerurkar

Cover design: Jit Ray

Photos: Ashish Shah

Interviewed by: Mayukh Majumdar

Hair: Team Hakim’s Aalim

Makeup: Anil Sable

Bookings Editor: Varun Shah

Chief Assistant Stylist: Mehek Khanna

Fashion and Styling Coordinator: Richa Mehta

Artist Reputation Management: Think Talkies