Top Bollywood actor felt car mechanics were better engineers than him. He tore up the job offer to chase acting. Now, he charges Rs 10 crore per film

From being a talented actor to a devoted son and loving husband, Vicky Kaushal has built a reputation both on and off the screen. Today, he is among Bollywood's most bankable stars, known for delivering memorable performances and commanding a strong fan following. But before the fame, blockbuster films and industry recognition, Vicky was on a very different path. The actor recently opened up about why he decided engineering was not the right career for him and how that realisation led him to pursue acting instead.

Why Vicky Kaushal left engineering

In a conversation with The Nod Magazine, the Chhaava actor shared his journey from engineering student to movie star. The actor revealed that although he earned a degree in electronics engineering, he never felt completely connected to the profession. In fact, after graduation, he chose to walk away from a job offer and take a chance on acting.

According to Kaushal, his love for cinema played a major role in that decision. He said he was always fascinated by films and storytelling. Watching stories unfold on the big screen captivated him, and over time, he realised that acting was where his true interest lay.




The actor admitted that engineering never came naturally to him. Looking back on his college days, he recalled feeling that the subject was heavily focused on theory and that he lacked the practical skills expected of an engineer.

He shared, "Back then I would pass this line of car repair shops, and I would feel that any worker there would be a better engineer than me. So, when I decided to be an actor, I decided to be a boy from those shops. I took acting classes, but I wanted to learn the craft through practice. I wanted to first understand the logic of how it’s done."

That realisation influenced the way he approached acting as well. Rather than relying only on formal training, Kaushal wanted to learn through experience. While he did attend acting classes, he believed the best way to understand the craft was by working, observing and practicing. He compared the process to learning a trade, where real-world experience teaches lessons that cannot always be found in textbooks.

The gamble eventually paid off.

On Vicky Kaushal's work front

Since making his debut, Vicky Kaushal has built an impressive filmography with more than 20 films to his name. His breakthrough came with Uri: The Surgical Strike in 2019, a film that turned him into a household name and reportedly earned over Rs 340 crore worldwide. He followed it up with several acclaimed performances, including Sam Bahadur, based on the life of India's first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, which collected around Rs 127 crore globally.



More recently, Vicky delivered one of the biggest successes of his career with Chhaava. The historical drama emerged as a major box-office hit and reportedly crossed the Rs 800-crore mark worldwide, further strengthening his position as one of Bollywood's leading actors.

His rise in the industry has also translated into a significant increase in earnings. According to reports by GQ India and Financial Express, Vicky Kaushal currently charges around Rs 10 crore per film. Reports also suggest that he received a similar fee for Sam Bahadur.

Despite his success, the actor often speaks about his middle-class upbringing and the journey that brought him to where he is today. His story serves as a reminder that career paths are not always straightforward and that sometimes stepping away from a conventional route can lead to unexpected opportunities.

On the professional front, Vicky Kaushal has an exciting lineup ahead. He will next be seen in Love & War, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. The actor is also working on the much-anticipated Mahavatar.