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Pulkit Samrat

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Pulkit Samrat
Born (1983-12-29) 29 December 1983 (age 40)[1]
Delhi, India
Occupations
  • Actor
  • model
Years active2006–present
Spouses
Shweta Rohira
​
​
(m. 2014; div. 2015)​
​
(m. 2024)​

Pulkit Samrat (born 29 December 1983) is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi films along with Hindi television.[2] Best known for playing "Hunny" in the Fukrey film series, Samrat made his acting debut with the series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2006) and made his film debut with Bittoo Boss (2012). He is a recipient of an Indian Telly Award.[3]

Samrat had his first commercial success with Fukrey (2013). His highest grossing release came with Jai Ho (2014). This success was followed with a string of failures including Dolly Ki Doli (2015) and Sanam Re (2016), causing a setback. He later received praises for starring in Fukrey Returns (2017), 3 Storeys (2018) and Taish (2020).

In addition to his acting career, Samrat is a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products. Samrat is married to actress Kriti Kharbanda.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Samrat was born on 29 December 1983[5] and brought up in a Punjabi Hindu family in Delhi, where his family has its real estate business. He studied at Manav Sthali School,[6] and completed his schooling from Montfort Senior Secondary School, Ashok Vihar, Delhi.

He joined an advertising course at Apeejay Institute of Design, Delhi. However, after studying for five months, he received a modelling assignment. Thereafter, he quit his education and shifted to Mumbai, where he joined an acting course run by Kishore Namit Kapoor.[6]

Career

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Television career (2006-2008)

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Samrat moved to Mumbai in 2005,[7] and made his acting debut in 2006 with the long-running television show by Balaji Telefilms, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. He portrayed Laksh Virani opposite Mouni Roy and Tia Bajpai. This got him his first recognition,[8] and he won Indian Telly Award for Fresh New Face - Male for his performance. Samrat quit the show in 2007.[9]

In 2008, he appeared as a Contestant on Kaho Na Yaar Hai with Roy, marking his final television appearance.[10] In 2011, Samrat appeared as the lead in choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant's musical theatrical Taj Express.[7]

Film breakthrough and setback (2012–2016)

[edit]
Samrat promoting Fukrey in 2013

Samrat made his film debut with romantic comedy Bitto Boss in 2012. He played the role of a wedding videographer from Punjab, alongside Amita Pathak.[11][12] Times of India noted, "With a character sketch, screen-name and styling so reminiscent of Ranveer Singh, debutant Pulkit Samrat has little scope to create his own identity. However, he pulls off the small-town-munda act with sincerity, and a natural ease."[13] He next played the lead role of Hunny in the ensemble comedy film Fukrey, opposite Priya Anand.[14] The film emerged as a Sleeper hit.[15] Anupama Chopra wrote, "The characters and actors are a perfect match. Pulkit embodies the over-confident charmer Hunny."[16]

In 2014, he had two releases. He first appeared in Jai Ho in the role of a Police Inspector.[17] It became his highest grossing release and collected ₹195.04 crore.[18][19] He next played the lead in O Teri, opposite Sarah Jane Dias.[20][21] It met with negative reviews but Bollywood Hungama mentioned, "Pulkit Samrat is pitch-perfect in his part. He seems to be getting better with every film."[22]

In his first release of 2015, Samrat portrayed Inspector Robin Singh in Dolly Ki Doli opposite Sonam Kapoor.[23][24] Firstpost said, "Samrat's face is pretty enough, but has no expression and he does a godawful Haryanvi accent that's all the more jarring because Rao's is pitch perfect."[25] He next appeared Bangistan with Riteish Deshmukh. It received negative reviews.[26][27] Samrat had two releases in 2016 too, both opposite Yami Gautam. He first appeared in Sanam Re,[28][29] and next appeared in Junooniyat.[30][31] Both these films received negative reviews and were box-office failures.[32]

Recent work and expansion (2017-present)

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Samrat in 2017

Samrat's career marked a turning point in 2017 when he starred in the second installment of Fukrey titled Fukrey Returns. The film was a box office success.[33][34] News 18 mentioned that Samrat portrays the "same old confident Hunny" well.[35] In 2018, Samrat first played Veer Arora in the romantic comedy Veerey Ki Wedding opposite Kriti Kharbanda.[36][37] Hindustan Times wrote, "Pulkit Samrat as always, portrays himself as an extension of Salman Khan. He appears comfortable displaying his brawn and swag but emotes poorly, making no impact at all."[38] Later that year, he played Vilas Naik in the independent drama film 3 Storeys.[39][40] Times of India mentions that Samrat is "competent" in his role,[41]

His only release in 2019 was Anees Bazmee's Pagalpanti, alongside Kharbanda.[42] Bollywood Hungama mentions, "Pulkit Samrat tries his best but doesn’t succeed in giving the performance that his character demanded."[43] In 2020, he starred as Sunny Lalwani in the thriller drama film Taish directed by Bejoy Nambiar, which was released on ZEE5 on 29 October 2020.[44][45] Times of India noted, "Pulkit Samrat’s put in some serious efforts to render justice to Sunny’s trauma-fuelled anger; he is good when he’s mad and unconvincing when he’s happy, and that’s a problem."[46] Scroll cited, "Pulkit Samrat and Harshvardhan Rane swagger about and clench fists and jawlines."[47]

Samrat had only one release in 2021, the trilingual film Kaadan. He portrayed Shankar in the Hindi version.[48][49] The Hindi version received negative reviews.[50]

Samrat will next appear in the third installment of Fukrey titled Fukrey 3.[51] He will also appear in Suswagatam Khushamadeed opposite Isabelle Kaif.[52]

Personal life

[edit]
Samrat with wife Kriti Kharbanda, pictured in 2022

Samrat married his girlfriend Shweta Rohira on 3 November 2014. Rohira is a rakhi-sister to actor Salman Khan.[53] Khan was also involved in the promotion of Pulkit Samrat's debut film.[54][55] The couple separated in November 2015.[56] Samrat then dated actress Yami Gautam, his co-star in Sanam Re, but the couple eventually broke up in 2018.[57]

Samrat met actress Kriti Kharbanda in 2018 and they eventually started dating in 2019. The couple has worked together in the films — Veerey Ki Wedding, Pagalpanti and Taish.[58][59] After being in a relationship for five years, the couple got engaged in 2024.[60][61] He married Kharbanda in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, on 15 March 2024, in Manesar, Haryana.[62][63]

Media image

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Samrat in 2015

Apart from acting, Samrat is an endorser for several brands and products including Coca-Cola and Bella Vita Organic.[64][65] He is the brand ambassador of Pebble watches alongside Kriti Kharbanda.[66] Samrat became the first Bollywood actor to bag an ad in Pakistan.[67] He has subsequently featured in the Times of India's Most Desirable Men List. Samrat ranked 48th in 2019 and 23rd in 2020.[68][69]

Filmography

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Films

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 Bittoo Boss Bittoo Boss
2013 Fukrey Vikas Gulati "Hunny" [70]
2014 Jai Ho Inspector Abhay Rajput
O Teri Prantabh Pratab (PP)
2015 Dolly Ki Doli Inspector Robin Singh [71]
Bangistan Praveen Chaturvedi / Allahrakha Khan
2016 Sanam Re Akash Bill
Junooniyat Captain Jahan Bakshi
2017 Fukrey Returns Vikas Gulati "Hunny"
2018 Veerey Ki Wedding Veer
3 Storeys Vilas Naik
2019 Pagalpanti Chandrakanth "Chandu" [72]
2020 Taish Sunny Lalwani [73]
2021 Haathi Mere Saathi Shankar
2022 Phone Bhoot Hunny Cameo appearance
2023 Fukrey 3 Vikas Gulati "Hunny" [74]
2024 Suswagatam Khushmadeed Aman Sharma [75]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2006–2007 Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Laksh Virani [76]
2008 Kaho Na Yaar Hai Contestant Episode 6 [77]
2019 Made in Heaven Sarfaraz Khan Episode: "Star Struck Lovers" [78]
2023 Episode: "Love story"

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2006 Indian Telly Awards Fresh New Face - Male Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Won [79]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Happy Birthday Pulkit Samrat: Take a Look at Some of His Most Adorable Posts with Kriti Kharbanda". News18. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Film and Television actor Pulkit Samrat's Biography". Times of India. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Pulkit is happy about his debut film "Bittoo Boss"; talks about his role". India TV News. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Pulkit Samrat on his Diwali memories, marriage to Kriti Kharbanda & missing her this year". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Kriti Kharbanda Pens A Heartfelt Note For Boyfriend Pulkit Samrat On His 38th Birthday". Outlook. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Salman bhai is my brother-in-law: Pulkit Samrat". The Times of India. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  7. ^ a b "Look who's on the big screen!". The Hindu. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  8. ^ "Pulkit Samrat, Prachi Desa: TV actors finally crossover into Bollywood". CNN-IBN. 17 June 2013. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  9. ^ "I had got bored of my character in TV: Pulkit Samrat". The Times of India. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  10. ^ "What the heck, Pulkit?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  11. ^ "Bittoo Boss wrapped up on time, director happy". The Hindustan Times. 3 January 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  12. ^ Udasi, Harshikaa (10 April 2012). "Look who's on the big screen!". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  13. ^ Mukherjee, Madhureeta (14 April 2012). "Bittoo Boss: Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
  14. ^ "Scared to approach Delhi girls: Pulkit Samrat". The Times of India. 18 June 2013. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  15. ^ "Fukrey Emerges A HIT". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  16. ^ Anupama Chopra (15 June 2013). "Anupama Chopra's review: Fukrey". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  17. ^ "Watch trailer: Salman Khan's action-packed avatar in 'Jai Ho' – Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Salman Khan s Jai Ho Rights Sold For 110 Crore Highest Ever". Rediff.com. 19 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Movie Review by Anupama Chopra: Is Jai Ho even a film?". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  20. ^ Singh, Prashant (15 October 2013). "Salman Khan's new act: playing godfather in Bollywood". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  21. ^ "Salman Khan 'adopts' sister's O Teri". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 5 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  22. ^ "O Teri Movie Review: Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 5 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  23. ^ Priya Gupta (8 March 2014). "Pulkit Samrat with Sonam Kapoor in Dolly Ki Doli". Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  24. ^ Hungama, Bollywood. "Dolly Ki Doli Cast List | Dolly Ki Doli Movie Star Cast | Release Date | Movie Trailer | Review- Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  25. ^ "Dolly Ki Doli Movie Review: The film is fun but pretty Sonam Kapoor is plastic as usual". Firstpost. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  26. ^ "'Bangistan' teaser poster out! - Entertainment". Mid-day.com. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  27. ^ Patrick Frater (22 April 2014). "Bollywood's 'Bangistan' to Shoot in Poland". Variety. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  28. ^ "Pulkit Samrat shoots 'Sanam Re' in Ladakh".
  29. ^ "Last schedule of Pulkit Sanrat and Yami Gautam's 'Sanam Re' to be shot in Calgary". The Indian Express. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  30. ^ "Pulkit Samrat, Yami Gautam and 'Junooniyat' crew get gheraoed in Kashmir". Daily News & Analysis. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  31. ^ "Junooniyat brings back Pulkit Samrat and Yami Gautam after Sanam Re". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 20 May 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  32. ^ "Junooniyat: Pulkit Samrat chooses film over honeymoon". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  33. ^ "Fukrey sequel announced: Pulkit, Varun Sharma, Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal will be back". indianexpress.com. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Box Office: Worldwide collections and day wise break up of Fukrey Returns :Bollywood Box Office - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. 9 December 2017.
  35. ^ Tulsiani, Kriti (4 May 2018). "Fukrey Returns Movie Review: Fukrey Was Fresh; The Sequel Is Only Stale". News18. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  36. ^ Divya Goyal (1 February 2018). "Veerey Ki Wedding Trailer: Pulkit Samrat And Kriti Kharbanda's Film Is Meh". NDTV. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  37. ^ "Official Trailer: Veerey Ki Wedding". YouTube.
  38. ^ "Veerey Ki Wedding movie review: Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda's archaic and tiresome affair". Hindustan Times. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  39. ^ "3 Storeys teaser: Farhan Akhtar's next production venture uncovers stories hidden inside a chawl". The Indian Express. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  40. ^ "After the success of Fukrey Returns, Excel to start the year with 3 Storeys". mid-day. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  41. ^ "3 Storeys Movie Review: It cleverly demonstrates the art of skillfully telling a story wherein all the loose ends of a plot are tied together into a neat whole". The Times of India.
  42. ^ "John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Ileana D'Cruz, Kriti Kharbanda, Pulkit Samrat to start shooting for Pagalpanti in London". Mumbai Mirror India Times. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  43. ^ "Pagalpanti Movie Review: Fails to raise the desired amount of laughs due to lazy writing". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  44. ^ "Pulkit Samrat decodes movie plus series format of 'Taish'". The Week. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  45. ^ "Bejoy Nambiar's Taish to premiere on ZEE5 in October". Outlook India. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  46. ^ "Taish Movie Review: Taish is timely, stylish and has an important life lesson to impart". The Times of India.
  47. ^ "'Taish' review: Web series explores the importance of anger management". Scroll.in. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  48. ^ "'Haathi Mere Saathi' completes second schedule". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  49. ^ "Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi to premiere on TV on September 18". India Today. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  50. ^ VERMA, SUKANYA (20 September 2021). "Haathi Mere Saathi Review: It completely neglects the message of saving our elephants". Rediff.
  51. ^ "Exclusive - Pulkit Samrat-starrer Fukrey 3 goes on floors, Varun Sharma shares update". India Today. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  52. ^ "Pulkit Samrat signs two movie deal with a production house, first of which is Suswagatam Khushamadeed". Bollywood Hungama. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  53. ^ Sarkar, Prarthna (4 November 2014). "Entertainment Celebrity 'Fukrey' Actor Pulkit Samrat Weds Salman Khan's Sister ShwetalsRohira". Archived from the original on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  54. ^ Subhash K Jha (19 April 2012). "Why Salman is promoting Bitto Boss' Pulkit Samrat". Rediff.com Movies. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  55. ^ "Pulkit Samrat feeling blessed to get Salman's support". The Indian Express. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  56. ^ "Pulkit Samrat separates from wife Shweta Rohira". 24 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  57. ^ "Yami Gautam-Pulkit Samrat's ugly split: Here's what exactly happened". DNA India. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  58. ^ "Kriti Kharbanda says she's dating Pulkit Samrat, says she wanted her parents to know first". Hindustan Times. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  59. ^ Raghuvanshi, Aakanksha. "Pulkit Samrat's birthday wish for girlfriend Kriti Kharbanda is all about "Balcony dates and campfire movie nights"". NDTV. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  60. ^ "Exclusive - Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda are now engaged, pics from roka ceremony out". India Today. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  61. ^ "Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat wedding: Here's a look at their love story, net worth and more". Financial Express. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  62. ^ "Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat tie knot, share first pics from wedding: 'Through the low and high, it's only you'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  63. ^ "Pulkit Samrat-Kriti Kharbanda are now married. Couple shares first wedding pics". India Today. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  64. ^ "Exclusive - Pulkit Samrat has joined the cola endorsement brigade". Mid Day. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  65. ^ "Bella Vita Organic collaborates with Kajal Aggarwal, Pulkit Samrat and Sanjana Sanghi as part of the BVO #CelebSquad". Financial Express. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  66. ^ "Pebble Loops in Bollywood stars Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat as brand ambassadors ahead of the festive season". ANI News. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  67. ^ "'Fukrey' fame Pulkit Samrat in a Pakistani brand ad campaign; first actor to do so". Indian Express. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  68. ^ "The Times 50 Most Desirable Men 2019: Shahid Kapoor tops, check complete list". Times of India. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  69. ^ "The Times Most Desirable Man of 2020: Sushant Singh Rajput - Philosopher, dreamer, charmer". Times of India. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  70. ^ "'Fukrey' to be re-released on public demand". The Indian Express. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  71. ^ "5 reasons why Sonam Kapoor's Dolly Ki Doli is better than Neeru Baweja's RSVP- Ronde Saare Vyaa Picho". 24 January 2015.
  72. ^ "Anees Bazmee on Twitter". Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.[non-primary source needed]
  73. ^ "ANNOUNCEMENT... #Taish – starring #PulkitSamrat, #HarshvardhanRane, #JimSarbh, #KritiKharbanda and #SanjeedaShaikh – premieres 29 Oct 2020 on #Zee5... Will release as feature film as well as 6-episode series simultaneously... Directed by Bejoy Nambiar... FIRST GLIMPSE." Taran Adarsh. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.[non-primary source needed]
  74. ^ "Fukrey 3 to release on Janmashtami 2023; Laali, Hunny, Choocha, Bholi Punjaban return with laughter dose". India TV News. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  75. ^ "Pulkit Samrat starts the prep for his next film titled Suswagatam Khushamadeed". Bollywood Hungama. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  76. ^ "The trials and tribulations of Kyunki Saas". Rediff. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020.
  77. ^ "Star Plus launches 'Kaho Na Yaar Hai'". Oneindia. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  78. ^ "Made In Heaven review: The best desi original by Amazon Prime, it unmasks the shiny lies of big fat Indian weddings". Hindustan Times. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  79. ^ "Telly Awards 2006 Popular Awards Winners: Pulkit Samrat Wins Fresh New Face - Male". Indian Telly Awards.
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