Pulkit Samrat brings an easy charm to the screen, warm, self-aware and instinctively playful. From his early television days to becoming the beating heart of the Fukrey franchise, he has carved a niche as an actor who doesn’t shy away from vulnerability beneath the humour. Known among colleagues for his discipline, fitness focus and quietly reflective nature, Pulkit balances boyish exuberance with growing emotional depth. Whether slipping into comedy, romance or darker, more physical roles, he approaches his craft with sincerity and curiosity. There’s an unmistakable affability to him, an actor who feels approachable, grounded and constantly evolving. Excerpts from an interesting chat.
There have been many ups and downs in your career. Are you satisfied with your journey?
I would not say that I am fully satisfied, because if you are, the fire within you subsides and you stop working hard. What I do have is a sense of contentment, that whatever is happening is going well. Even what went wrong has taught me something and that in itself is an interesting learning. I never got the opportunity to formally learn on a film set or work as someone’s assistant, but I picked up the ropes while working in television. When I did Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi I learnt everything that happens behind the camera. So, apart from acting, I also learnt the technical aspects of filmmaking, such as cameras, lenses and lighting. Television gave me a strong understanding of the technical and behind-the-scenes side of the craft.
You were one of the top stars on TV…
The audience gave me a lot of love on television, and when I stepped into films, I was fortunate to work with some amazing people right from my debut. I worked with producer Kumar Mangat, who truly knows how to make good films. He is one of the nicest people I know. He guided and mentored me immensely, and that eventually led to Fukrey. There can be no bigger blessing than getting the opportunity to work with Kumar Mangat and Excel. I have no complaints about debacles either, because they too came with lessons. Overall, I am very happy with the way things are turning out for me.
Does Success come from hard work or networking, talent or luck?
When my film Fukrey released and became successful, people liked my work. I thought, ab toh nikal padi, badhiya hai. Fukrey was a super hit, Excel signed me for three more films, aur bhi badhiya ho gaya. I felt I had become a hero and that there was nothing more I needed to do. I genuinely believed that offers would come to me while I sat at home. But work does not fall into your lap; you have to work hard to earn it. You cannot just sit at home and assume that work will come your way. Whatever we do on set is our passion, but reaching the set is your responsibility. That is the business side of this industry. The day I understood the business aspect, I realised how important it was for me to meet people and talk to them. Some people may not like me, but it is still my job to remind them, again and again, that I am also a product in this industry. I can dance, do action, drama and comedy, and I can show off my body too, so please work with me. That is genuinely what it was about.
Have you ever sought guidance from an astrologer?
I can’t say for sure whether I believe in astrology or not but I have immense faith in my mother. I bowed my head, folded my hands in temples and did many things simply because she asked me to. My mother made me perform several pujas and visit many temples, but when she was in great pain, I felt that all those pujas were meaningless. Yet, she continued to smile through her suffering, even though we could see how much pain she was in. She smiled until her very last breath. From her, I learnt that if you face life with a smile, you find the strength to endure everything and keep moving forward. Life is like an ocean where you will be hit by storms and only by facing them can you reach the shore. This is what life is all about. That was the lesson I learnt from the greatest loss of my life. That is why I always tell people to respect and cherish those closest to them while they are still with you.
Did the loss of your mother turn you into an atheist?
No, I did not become an atheist. Rather, I took on some of her responsibilities. I come from Delhi and we live in a joint family. I have taken on my mother’s duties. For instance, she would wake up every morning and clean the mandir, and now I do that. Everything she used to do, I now try to carry forward. In this way, we are preserving her legacy. She loved celebrating festivals with dancing and noisy celebrations, and I truly enjoy doing the same. She also loved feeding people, and I seem to have picked up that trait naturally. I cannot bear to see anyone hungry. My mother taught me that everyone should always be well fed.
Are you superstitious? Any lucky charm?
My lucky charm is my wife, Kriti (Kharbanda). Every morning, I start my day with my lady luck. It is the most beautiful thing in the world.
Has she changed you as a person?
She has grounded me immensely. She is the mirror that shows me reality. Because we were best friends first and husband and wife later, there is no judgement between us. We pour our hearts out to each other, just as friends do. Even when we argue, it is about the problems we are facing, not against each other. She is also the one who got me into therapy. I was dealing with depression some years ago and wasn’t in the right therapeutic space at the time. This was around six or seven years ago, before the pandemic. She explained the importance of therapy to me and encouraged me to seek help. If anyone says I have become a better person, the entire credit for that goes to Kriti alone.
Does it help When your life partner is from the same profession?
It is a great comfort. If my partner doesn’t understand my work and I don’t understand hers, how would we discuss what happened during the day after coming home? Sharing work-related experiences, like the joy of having given a good shot, is something only an actor can truly understand. The excitement of delivering a good performance is unique to the craft. So it is a big blessing that we both belong to the same industry. And that’s not all, we are both outsiders, self-made, and have established our careers on our own. Kriti and I joke that our agenda is for our children to be “nepo kids”.
What are the things about yourself that you have worked on and transformed?
I am fond of playing the guitar. I bought several guitars with the intention of learning but it never quite happened. So, this year’s New Year resolution is to finally learn the guitar. Now, whenever I get some time, I practise. This is one resolution I have been consistent with. I have also not eaten sugar for the past eight years. This was a resolution I made eight years ago and to date I do not consume processed sugar. My third resolution is to think before speaking. I have decided that whenever I speak, it should be after I have thought things through thoroughly. I do not want to react to any situation impulsively. Reacting is a big trap that I want to avoid. If you react impulsively, you are likely to give your worst response, because it will not be weighed or well thought out. After undergoing therapy, I have understood the importance of holding on to your thoughts and recognising that the person standing in front of you is also carrying their own baggage. They can be given a few chances to handle things in a better manner. You can find a better solution only with a calm mind; there is no way to arrive at one when your mind is extremely enraged.
We don’t truly understand the importance of therapy.
Many believe that therapy is only for those who are depressed or dissatisfied with life or for people who are lonely and have no one to talk to or those who are mentally unstable. However, that isn’t the case at all. Therapy is a way of opening up and pouring out your heart and soul to someone who listens without judgement. Therapists are trained professionals who can help guide you, support you and point you towards helpful resources. Some people need support through medication, while others benefit more from practical tools that help them manage and regulate their emotions. For me, meditation works best. Even practising deep breathing twice a day can help keep your mind calm and composed throughout the day.
You’re doing another project with Karan Anushuman. Tell us about that.
Karan Anshuman directed me in Bangistan. I am now doing a show with him, which will be my OTT debut. It is called Glory. I had a lot of fun working with him. He is one of the biggest creators in the industry, and all his shows have been super hits. When I met him, I told him very openly and honestly that I wanted to do good work with good people and asked if we could work together. I clearly remember meeting him after almost seven or eight years, and within a split second of me saying this, he replied that he had written something keeping me in mind. He said, “If you like it, do it.” Within two days, I was on board. I got work because I asked for it. Before this, I had refused to work on one of his web series, so perhaps he would not have approached me on his own. But because I went up to him, I got the work. That is what we call manifestation. If you do not convey what you want to the universe, the universe is not going to give you anything. Simple.
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