Vicky Kaushal Shares His Father Sham Kaushal Thought Of Suicide: ‘Was Willing To Work As A Sweeper'

Vicky Kaushal, who is busy promoting his upcoming film Bad Newz, recalled the days of living in a chawl and his father Sham Kaushal’s struggles in Punjab before he moved to Mumbai.

Vicky Kaushal, who is busy promoting his upcoming film Bad Newz, recalled the days of living in a chawl and his father Sham Kaushal’s struggles in Punjab before he moved to Mumbai. In a podcast with Raj Shamani, Vicky said that his father had even contemplated suicide because he was without a job. 

When Vicky Kaushal's father contemplated suicide

He said in Hindi, “My parents were very happy with the idea of me having a regular (9-5) job. My grandfather had a small kirane ki dukaan (grocery shop) in our village in Punjab. That’s where my parents are from. Dad came to Mumbai in 1978. He had an MA in English literature, but he was still jobless. We had no land back there (in Punjab). One day, after drinking with his friends, he declared that he wants to die. My grandfather became very concerned, so he sent him to Mumbai with a friend.” 

Vicky's father was 'willing to work as a sweeper'

Vicky added, “In Mumbai, my dad was willing to work as a sweeper even, because he knew that nobody in the village would get to know. My dad’s youth was full of struggles. There’s no job security in this field. While you’re working on one project, you’re wondering if you’ll find something else next. My family was genuinely very happy that finally someone is going to have a stable income, job security, off days. He (my father) was so happy. He felt like his struggles had finally paid off. But I just knew that I couldn’t do a conventional 9-5 job. I had an offer letter, I’d passed with good marks.. but I knew that I’d become depressed if I went ahead with it.” 

On living in a chawl

Talking about living in a chawl in Mumbai, he said, "You know the harsh reality when you are born into a family where everyone is working in the industry. You realize that it's not just all glitter and glamour; there is also a very tough side to it. I was born in a chawl in a 10x10 room in Malad, Malvani. I've seen at home how each piece of furniture was brought in, how small things gradually increased. From a chawl, we moved to a one-room kitchen, then to a 1 BHK, and then to a 2 BHK. That struggle was never hidden at home. So, I was aware of that flip side, knowing that nothing will come easy." 

'Bad Newz' also star Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk in lead roles. Directed by Anand Tiwari, the film is co-produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and releases in theatres on July 19.