Vicky Kaushal has firmly established himself as one of the most talented actors of his generation, and over his short yet impactful career, he has starred in intense dramas, thrillers, and even light-hearted comedies. In his recent success in Chhaava (2025), where he portrayed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj with remarkable depth, Kaushal has been quite appreciated for his ability to command the screen. The historical epic not only impressed critics but also became a major box-office hit, and it has reaffirmed his place as a powerhouse performer.
However, while Chhaava and films like Uri: The Surgical Strike and Raazi have cemented his mainstream appeal, several of his other performances remain underrated despite their brilliance. Here’s a look at five of his lesser known yet exceptional films that deserve more recognition.
Masaan (2015)
Considered Vicky Kaushal’s breakthrough film, Masaan is a haunting drama that intertwines two tragic, yet poetic stories set in Varanasi. Kaushal plays Deepak, a young man from a lower caste who falls in love with an upper-caste girl, Shaalu (Shweta Tripathi). Their romance is tender yet doomed by societal constraints, leading to one of the most heartbreaking performances of Kaushal’s career.
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Masaan received critical acclaim and even won awards at the Cannes Film Festival, but it never received mainstream attention in India. Kaushal’s deeply emotional portrayal of a young man in grief and love proved his potential as a serious performer even in his early days.
Govinda Naam Mera (2022)
In this quirky comedy thriller, Vicky Kaushal plays Govind “Govinda” Waghmare, a struggling choreographer caught between a manipulative wife and a free-spirited girlfriend, Suku. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the film takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride of deception, crime, and unexpected twists.
While Govinda Naam Mera was a fun departure from Kaushal’s usual intense roles, it didn’t receive the attention it deserved. Despite this, his performance showed us that he can handle humor and chaos with effortless charm. Unfortunately, since the film was released directly on Disney+ Hotstar instead of in theaters, it didn’t make as much impact as some of his theatrical hits. Most of you are probably hearing about it the first time here!
Love Per Square Foot (2018)
Love Per Square Foot (2018)
Long before he became a household name, Kaushal starred in Love Per Square Foot, a romantic comedy-drama directed by Anand Tiwari. The film revolves around Sanjay (Kaushal) and Karina (Angira Dhar), two young professionals working at the same bank who decide to get married for the sole purpose of owning an affordable house in Mumbai. However, complications arise because while Sanjay belongs to a conservative Hindu family, Karina belongs to a Christian household and is already engaged to another man.
Kaushal shines in this film as a relatable, middle-class man navigating love, aspirations, and societal pressures. The film was India’s first Netflix original movie, which meant it didn’t get a theatrical release and this is why it probably remained unnoticed by most of us. However, it remains a charming watch that highlights Kaushal’s ability to deliver heartfelt performances in lighter, everyday stories.
Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)
One of Kaushal’s darkest and most unconventional roles came in Raman Raghav 2.0, directed by Anurag Kashyap. The psychological thriller explores the disturbing cat-and-mouse game between a modern-day serial killer, Ramanna (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), and a deeply flawed cop, Raghavan (Vicky Kaushal).
While Nawazuddin Siddique has been praised for his performance, Kaushal’s portrayal of Raghavan, a drug-addicted, morally corrupt police officer, was quite underrated. The role required him to showcase internal conflict, self-destruction, and aggression in a way that not everyone can pull off convincingly. While Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s chilling performance stole the limelight, Kaushal’s intense and layered act was equally commendable. The film remains a cult favourite among cinephiles but it didn’t achieve much mainstream success because the film had a dark, psychological and unsettling theme.
Sardar Udham (2021)
While Sardar Udham received a lot of appreciation from critics, it still remains underrated when compared to other patriotic dramas. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the film tells the story of Udham Singh, the revolutionary who shot and assassinated Michael O’Dwyer in retaliation for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Kaushal’s performance was nothing short of phenomenal. He captured Udham Singh’s rage, trauma, and unwavering resolve with a level of realism that we rarely see in historical films. Despite its artistic brilliance, the film didn’t get the widespread recognition it deserved, possibly because of its lack of commercial elements. Unlike movies like Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Sardar Udham is a slow-burn film, and it doesn’t do much to keep you engaged, so most people might not feel like sitting through the entire film.
