Kushal Punjabi
Kushal Punjabi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 April 1986[1] |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2002–present |
Kushal Punjabi is an Indian film and television actor, who won the TV reality game show, Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout, the Indian version of US game show Wipeout in February 2011, taking home the prize of ₹5 million.[2][3] Punjabi has performed in the world of entertainment industry for over a decade. From performing in movies like Farhan Akhtar's – Lakshya and Karan Johars – Kaal to Utv's – Goal and Cinevista's – Ssshhhhh, Punjabi has exhibited his acting credentials in a fine fashion. In the television circuit, his filmography covers almost every genre with over 20 serials, his last one being Aasman se Aage on Life Ok where he plays the role of a choreographer. Being the face of over 15 popular music videos and endorsing products via television and print commercials further fuelled his energetic and enthusiastic nature as an entertainer. Graded with the title of – The Reality King, Punjabi's participation in 7 reality shows has not only been enriching as an experience but also overly fulfilling having won 5 of the 7 over the years – namely: Fear Factor, Mr. & Miss TV, Paisa Bhari Padega, Nautica Navigators Challenge, Ek Se Badhkar Ek and Zor Ka Jhatka.
He has been a professional Modern Jazz and Hip Hop dancer and choreographed the Gladrags Manhunt Megamodel & Mrs. India contests and various Fashion shows and Music Videos over the last decade, Punjabi states that his love and passion still lies in Dance and Choreography.[citation needed] He has Choreographed and Directed the 'Star Walk' Fashion event for UMEED (the ngo for children) where over 40 celebrities from different walks of life sashayed down the ramp. Governed by the force of body movements and the rhythm of music, Punjabi till today showcases an unavoidable urge and desire to perform better each day and bedazzle his audiences. Given his way he shall tell every story regardless of the medium with just his unstoppable dynamism and intense performance.[citation needed]
Early life and family
Punjabi was and brought up in a Sindhi Hindu family in Mumbai, Kushal's father is from Karachi and mother is from Hyderabad but has been born & raised in Mumbai.[1] As a child, Punjabi was extremely active and started cycling, skating, swimming and dancing very early and in the coming years played football, athletics & swimming for his school & college. He loved travelling and being outdoors and his spirit of adventure made him an apt candidate for adventure sports which he did with great passion. His love of dance theatre and music helped him in becoming a serious actor and went on to do more than 20 tv shows, 5 films and plenty of music videos & commercials.[citation needed]
Career
He started his career as a dancer & model,[4] and participated in Gladrags Manhunt Contest, in 2000.[5] He also appeared in music album of Shweta Shetty pop song Deewane To Deewane Hai in 1997. His television career began with TV series A mouthful of sky in 1995 for DD Metro channel followed by Love Marriage in 2002 on Zee TV, and has since appeared in a number of series like Don in 2006 for Star One, Santaan from 2007–2008 for Star Plus, Kasam se in 2006 for Zee Tv, Sshh koi hain for Star One and King Aasman ka ek raja for Sony Tv. He appeared as Sub-inspector in CID: Special Bureau, detective-crime Tv series, CID (on Sony TV) from 2003 to 2004 and did a small role in TV series, Kkusum. In 2004, he appeared as a lead in Dekho Magar Pyaar Se (on STAR Plus), an Indian adaptation of popular Venezuelan TV series, Mi Gorda Bella and also in popular comedy TV series, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa on Zee TV. His other shows were Antariksh in 2008 for Star Plus, Yeh dil chahe more in 2006 fr Star One, Hum Tum in 2008 for Zee Next, Rishta dot com on Sony Tv in 2010 for Yash Raj productions.He also appeared in STAR Plus TV series, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat from 2008 to 2010. In 2010, he did a cameo in SAB TV's Gutur Gu, India's first silent comedy series.[6] and then bagged a prominent role in Farhan Akhtar's film, Lakshya (2004), followed by Karan Johar's Kaal, which also starred Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgan.[7]
He has appeared in Hindi films, like Lakshya (2004), Kaal (2005), Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love (2007) and Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007).
He is trained dancer-choreographer[7] and worked as a dancer/trainer with Shiamak Davar for while.[5] He has participated reality shows like, Mr. & Ms. TV (2007),Fear Factor, Fun on the Run and Ek Se Badhkar Ek (2008) on Zee TV,[8] and in 2011 won the TV reality game show, Zor Ka Jhatka, the Indian version of "Wipeout!", which started with 28 contestants, in an obstacle course set in Argentina, and was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan.,[3][9] and is currently shooting for Balaji Film's Rock the Shaadi as 1 of the 3 main leads. He recently made a wild card entry in the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Filmography
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Bomgay |
| 1997 | Humko Ishq ne Maara -Dir. Arjun Sablok |
| 1998 | Bombay Boys -Dir. Kaizad Gustad |
| 2003 | Andaaz -Dir. Raj Kanwar |
| 2003 | Sssshhh... -Dir. Pawan Kaul/Cinevistaa |
| 2004 | Lakshya -Dir. Farhan Akhtar/Excel Ent. |
| 2005 | Kaal -Dir. Soham Shah/Dharma Productions |
| 2007 | Salaam-e-Ishq -Dir. Nikhil Advani |
| 2007 | Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal -Dir.Vivek Agnihotri/Utv |
| 2015 | Crazy Cukkad Family -Dir. Ritesh Menon/ Praksh Jha Productions |
Television
| Year | Title | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | A Mouthful of Sky (TV series) | ||
| 2002 | Love Marriage (TV series) | ||
| 2004 | King Aassman Ka Ek Raja (TV series) | ||
| 2003 | CID (TV series) | ||
| 2004 | Dekho Magar Pyaar Se (TV series) | ||
| Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa | |||
| King Aassman Ka Ek Raja (TV series) | |||
| 2005 | Yeh Dil Chahe More (TV series) | ||
| Antarishk (TV series) | |||
| Fear Factor (Reality) | |||
| Paisa Bhari Padega (Reality) | |||
| 2006 | Kasamh Se (TV series) | ||
| Antariksh (TV series) | Band Darwaaza (TV series) STAR One | ||
| 2007 | Mr. & Ms. TV (Reality) | ||
| Santaan (TV series) | |||
| Fun on the Run (Reality) | |||
| 2008 | Hum Tum (TV series) | ||
| Ek Se Badhkar Ek (Reality) | |||
| Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (TV series) | |||
| Mr. & Ms. TV (Reality) Quit | |||
| Sitaron ki Jung (Reality) | |||
| 2010 | Guttur Gu (TV series) | ||
| Rishta dot com (TV series) | |||
| 2011 | Zor ka Jhatka (Reality) | ||
| 2012 | Aasman Se Aage (TV Series) | ||
| 2012 | Teri Meri Love Stories (TV Series)(1 episode) | ||
| 2013 | Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan-Nawaazi ki | ||
| 2013 | Hum Ne Li Hai- Shapath | ||
| 2014 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Reality) | ||
| 2015 | Zindagi Wins |
References
- ^ a b "Kushal Punjabi, model-actor". Indiatimes.com. 24 January 2005.
- ^ "Kushal Punjabi Wins Zor Ka Jhatka". NDTV Movies. 26 February 2011.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "Kushal Punjabi wins 'Zor Ka Jhatka'". The Times of India. 26 February 2011.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "'He's a bit of a loud mouth'". Khaleej Times. 13 June 2009.
- ^ a b "Kushal Punjabi". Stardust. 1 February 2008.
- ^ "Kushal's silent cameo". The Times of India. 20 March 2010.
- ^ a b "The Freshers' Club". Indian Express. 20 November 2004.
- ^ "To each his own: Zee TV's "Ek Se Badhkar Ek" ruffles feathers, infuses new hope too". The Hindu. 9 August 2008.
- ^ "Kushal Punjabi wins Zor Ka Jhatka". Bollywood Hungama News Network. 26 February 2011.
External links
- Indian male film actors
- Male actors in Hindi cinema
- Living people
- Indian male television actors
- Participants in Indian reality television series
- Contestants on Indian game shows
- Reality show winners
- Sindhi people
- Male actors from Mumbai
- 1982 births
- Indian male soap opera actors
- 20th-century Indian male actors
- 21st-century Indian male actors
- Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa participants