From dropping out of an engineering college to working in big banner films and projects with the likes of Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani and Aditya Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput has indeed come a long way, proudly appearing on the list of the very few actors who have made a successful transition from television to the silver screen.
As the actor turns 29, NDTV toasts him with a journey through his life.
From dropping out of an engineering college to working in big banner films and projects with the likes of Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani and Aditya Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput has indeed come a long way, proudly appearing on the list of the very few actors who have made a successful transition from television to the silver screen.
As the actor turns 29, NDTV toasts him with a journey through his life.
Sushant was born to a government official in Patna on January 21, 1986. His family later moved to Delhi in the early 2000s. He went to St. Karen's High School in Patna and Kulachi Hansraj Model School in New Delhi.
Sushant was studying at the Delhi College of Engineering when, after almost three years, he decided to drop out to pursue his passion and career in acting. He became a part of the group of background dancers at the 51st Filmfare Awards, under the guidance of Shiamak Davar.
He also took Barry John's drama classes and discovered that he wanted to do it forever.
Sushant's television stint started in 2008 when Ekta Kapoor spotted him and gave him the role of Preet Juneja in the show Kis Des Mein Hai Mera Dil.
In 2009, he starred in another Balaji show, Pavitra Rishta, as Manav Deshmukh. The show made him a household name and also introduced him to girlfriend and co-star Ankita Lokhande.
In 2010, he joined a reality dance show named Zara Nachke Dikha. But, the turning point in his career was when he joined the reality show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. With his exceptional dancing ability, he won accolades, not only from the audience but the judges as well and finished as the runner-up of the show.
He later left the small screen to pursue a film-making course abroad.
Sushant auditioned for Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Che! (2013) and bagged the role of one of the three leads. His portrayal of Ishaan Bhatt in the movie won him rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.
He won the Screen and Guild Awards for Best Debutante - Male for this movie.
The same year, he played a starring role in Maneesh Sharma's love triangle, Shuddh Desi Romance, in which he was cast opposite Parineeti Chopra and Vaani Kapoor. The film did fairly well at the box office.
Sushant is currently basking in the success of his film PK (2014) in which he made a brief but effective appearance as Anushka Sharma's love interest. The film is a smash hit with a worldwide collection of Rs 615 crores.
This year, Sushant will be seen as a dhoti-clad sleuth in Dibakar Banerjee's Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. He will also play the lead role Neeraj Pandey's biopic - MS Dhoni - The Untold Story. Also due for release is Shekhar Kapur's Paani opposite Ayesha Kapur.
Sushant is engaged to his co-star from Pavitra Rishta, Ankita Lokhande and the couple plan to get married soon.
We wish Sushant a very happy birthday and a great year ahead.
