Vicky Kaushal has often spoken about his rise to fame, struggles in the film industry and his journey as an actor. Two years before welcoming a baby boy with wife Katrina Kaif, the actor had opened up about fame, success and what legacy means to him during a podcast appearance with Raj Shamani.

During the interaction, Raj asked Vicky what truly makes an actor successful, when many enter the industry but not everyone manages to sustain them. Responding to the question, Vicky said that while popularity can come quickly in today’s social media-driven world, real success takes years of dedication and hard work.

PR is not enough was one of the most noted remarks made by Vicky Kaushal during the podcast, where he said that artists eventually have to prove themselves through their work. He also spoke about the difference between “popular success” and building a meaningful legacy through consistent work.

In today’s dynamic social media environment, Vicky said that becoming trending online can happen for anyone, but lasting success is built slowly through consistent hard work, sincerity, and a strong body of work. He stressed that hard work remains essential regardless of the visibility an actor receives and noted that he has never approached his work casually, constantly trying to give his best effort. He added that he wants to “enjoy the essence and joy of life” and said that when he works wholeheartedly, he is able to sleep peacefully at night.

Over the years, Vicky has built a diverse filmography with performances in many films such as Sardar Udham, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Sam Bahadur, Raazi, Sanju, Dunki, and Bad Newz. His recent historical film Chhaava also received significant attention from audiences. Vicky is next set to appear in Love & War (2026) and Mahavatar (2027).