In the late 1970s, a young man arrived in Mumbai with a borrowed Rs 3,000, a degree in English Literature, and a stomach that often went half-empty. His first job paid him just Rs 350 a month. After a long commute by train and bus, he was left with barely a rupee for meals. Misal pav and batata vada became daily staples. Cigarettes were out of reach; he survived on ten-paise bidis. That man was Sham Kaushal. Today, his son Vicky Kaushal headlines films that rake in over Rs 800 crore at the global box office. (News18 Hindi)
The story of Sham Kaushal is a painful road marked by hunger, rejection, and sheer persistence. Before becoming one of Bollywood’s most respected action directors, Kaushal had no connections in the film industry. In fact, he never even planned to be a part of it. Back in Punjab, after completing his Master’s, Kaushal had hoped to be a lecturer. But money was tight. (News18 Hindi)
So, in 1978, he took a train to Mumbai. He landed a sales job in Chembur for Rs 350 a month. But even that slipped away. After being fired a year later, Kaushal made two promises to himself: he would never take another job and he would never leave Mumbai. (News18 Hindi)
A stroke of chance turned things around. Some Punjabi acquaintances who worked as stuntmen suggested he try joining their union. The entry fee was Rs 1,000, an impossible sum for him at the time, but his friends chipped in. That one decision led him to the sets of Bollywood. (News18 Hindi)
He met Veeru Devgan - then a well-known action director - who took a liking to Kaushal and hired him informally. Kaushal began as a helper, fetching tea and carrying bags, eventually getting involved in choreographing fight scenes. He was unpaid at first, but he saw it as an education. Later, he trained under Pappu Verma, another action stalwart. (News18 Hindi)
His first real break came with 1983’s 'Betaab', starring Sunny Deol. For the first time, he earned Rs 500, a windfall compared to the peanuts he had been paid before. From there, his career slowly picked up momentum. By the 1990s, Sham Kaushal had become a regular name in action departments across Bollywood. (News18 Hindi)
But fate wasn't done testing him. During the shoot of 'Lakshya' in Ladakh, Kaushal collapsed in pain. He was diagnosed with cancer, and for a moment, considered ending his life. He told no one in the industry, fearing he'd be blacklisted. He prayed only for time, to raise his sons. After multiple surgeries, the cancer didn't spread. He survived. (News18 Hindi)
More than two decades later, Sham Kaushal's journey has come full circle. His son Vicky is among the top names in Hindi cinema. His film 'Chhaava' has reportedly grossed Rs 807.88 crore globally, according to Sacnilk. Sham, who once swept studio floors and lived out of his office because he couldn’t afford rent, now watches from the sidelines as his son competes with the likes of Ajay Devgn, whose father once mentored him. (News18 Hindi)
Today, Sham Kaushal is the 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. The family's story is no fairy tale. It's built on borrowed money, bidi smoke, sleepless nights, and quiet resilience. (News18 Hindi)
