Vishal Karwal

Indian television actor

Heena Karwal
(m. 2020)

Vishal Karwal is an Indian television-film actor. He has played some of the famous serials like Dwarkadheesh Bhagwaan Shree Krishn, Rishton Se Badi Pratha, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai and Rangrasiya. He participated in MTV Roadies, MTV Splitsvilla and Bigg Boss. He has also appeared in a lead role in Vikram Bhatt's horror thriller 1920 London in 2016.

Early life

Vishal Karwal was born in Himachal Pradesh, India[1] in a Punjabi family.[2] His father owns a store that deals with jewelry and precious stones,[3] and earlier used to be a chairman of a school.[4] His mother is a homemaker.[4] He was raised in a joint family in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. When he was 10 years old, he was admitted to a boarding school, Dalhousie Public School, in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh.[3][5] He studied the Bachelor in Engineering degree course to become a computer science engineer.[6] He is also a trained commercial pilot, having completed a pilot training course from Texas, United States in October 2008.[6][7]

Career

Television debut and MTV Roadies (2006–2008

Karwal began his career in 2006 with auditioning with the youth entertainment adventure reality TV show, MTV Roadies 4, aired on MTV India, which he later got selected and participated in.[8] He was voted out of the show in episode 4. In 2007, he played an episodic appearance in Crime Patrol as Varun. In 2008, he participated in the youth reality show MTV Splitsvilla in the first season, where he emerged as the winner along with Shraddha Haribhai.[9] He later presented a reality show on MTV India called Couplesutra in 2009.

Acting debut (2009–2011)

Karwal made his acting debut in 2009 with a daily soap, Sabki Jodi Wohi Banata Bhagyavidhaata playing the lead as Vinay opposite Richa Soni.[10][11] However, he quit the show in 2010 as it took a 15-year leap and he didn't want to portray an older character.[12] In October 2010, after leaving his previous show, Karwal was cast to be in Rishton Se Badi...Pratha and played the lead in the daily soap as Abhay. He replaced Gaurav Chaudhary, who was replaced even before the series premiered.[13] The show went on air in November 2010. The TV series attempted to highlight social events inspired by real-life incidents.[14] He later decided to quit the show as it was heading for a leap but before this could happen the show ended in May 2011.[15]

Karwal was next seen on Imagine TV's TV program, Dwarkadheesh – Bhagwaan Shree Krishn, based on the famous Indian history Mahabharata, where he played the lead role of the Hindu Lord, Krishna. The series was telecast from July 2011 onwards. Vishal revealed, "This show really got me into acting. I loved doing the show and started enjoying acting."[16]

Punjabi films and Bigg Boss (2012–2015)

In May 2012, Karwal made his debut in the Punjabi film industry with Aappan Pher Milange, which he starred alongside Gracy Singh.[17] At a promotional event of the film, he said, "After doing television, I wanted to stretch my horizon. Punjabi films is an excellent medium of doing so. The way its reach is growing, it should be giving competition to Bollywood very soon."[18] The film, however, failed at the box office.

In November 2012, he participated in the reality show, Bigg Boss 6. He entered as a wild card contestant. Before entering the Bigg Boss show, he said in an interview, "Being a part of Bigg Boss is a big thing. This reality show is really unique and interesting than other reality shows."[2] He was voted out of the show in December 2012 after spending about 40 days in the Bigg Boss house, and he said in an interview with PTI, "I was not expecting to be evicted. I wanted to stay on the show longer."[19] Though during the show, he was shown as not actively participating in the game-related politics, fights, or tasks, rather he reserved himself to lying on the sun bed a lot of the time.[20] Nonetheless, his interest in a co-contestant, Sana Khan, gained some curiosity from the viewers.[21]

In February 2013, Karwal appeared in the comedy show Nautanki - The Comedy Theatre.[22][23] In May 2013, he replaced Akshay Dogra and played the role of Devender in Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai.[24]

Karwal has emphasized that he likes to do different roles on TV, where he can do something new with each role. He said, "The element of freshness in doing different things interests me. Also, I like to experiment with what I do because otherwise doing only one serial gets monotonous."[16] In 2014, Karwal was roped in for daily soap Rangrasiya opposite Sanaya Irani, portraying the negative role of Shantanu in the series. His role was appreciated amongst TV viewers.[25] His role ended in July 2014 as the show headed for a 7 years leap.

In August 2014, Karwal acted in a short film titled Shaadi Vaadi And All That as Karan Jaitley.[26] In November 2014, Karwal portrayed the character of Rajveer Singh Ranawat, one of the primary antagonists in the show Jamai Raja on Zee TV alongside Nia Sharma and Ravi Dubey. [27][28] He left the show in April 2015.[29] In December 2014, he participated in Box Cricket League as a contestant where he was in the team Chandigarh Cubs which was owned by Shiv Panditt.

In May 2015, Karwal played a small role in Zee TV's Kumkum Bhagya as Shahid.[30] In August 2015, he participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 as a contestant.[31] He entered as a wild card entrant and was paired alongside choreographer Shampa Gopikrishna. He got eliminated within a week where judges decided to not select him to go ahead in the competition. In September 2015, he played a cameo appearance in Ekta Kapoor's Yeh Hai Mohabbatein as Arjit.

Further success and Bollywood debut (2016–2018)

In March 2016, Karwal acted in a short film, Sexaholic as Amit opposite Shama Sikander.[32] He later made his Bollywood debut with Vikram Bhatt 's horror thriller 1920 London, following the successful series of 1920 (film series), co-starring Sharman Joshi and Meera Chopra in the pivotal roles. He played the role of Veer Singh, who is a possessed husband of Shivangi (played by Meera).[33] The film was released on 6 May 2016.

In August 2016, Karwal acted in the mythological series, Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha as Krishna.[34][35] He then played a negative role in the daily soap, Kalash – Ek Vishwaas as Rajdeep and left the series in January 2017.

In 2017, he acted in another mythological series, Paramavatar Shri Krishna as Vishnu.[36] He quit the series in 2018 as he had disagreements with the production team. He said “I was shooting only for a couple of days every month for almost a year now. I had initially blocked eight days per month for the show, which was later reduced to six. However, when the time came to renew the contract, the production house and I weren’t on the same page. So, I preferred to put in my papers and move on.” He was replaced by Himanshu Malhotra.[37][38]

In 2018, Karwal appeared in the daily soap, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai playing the role of Karan.[39] His role was appreciated by the public. His role ended later that year.

Naagin 3 and beyond (2019–present)

In 2019, Karwal acted in the film Dosti Ke Side Effects as Sahil.[40] Later in May 2019, he played a cameo in the successful supernatural series Naagin 3 as Ahaan.[41]

In June 2019, Karwal appeared in the sequel of the 2011 mythological series, Dwarkadheesh Bhagwan Shree Krishn – Sarvkala Sampann reprising his role of Krishna.[42] In 2020, he played another cameo appearance in the daily series, Pandya Store as Armaan.[43] His role, however was scrapped later as due to the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020. In 2021, Karwal acted in the daily soap, Sasural Simar Ka 2 as Shahrukh.[44]

Business plans

About his future plans, he told Deccan Chronicle in November 2012, "I have a couple of Punjabi films lined up and a few serial projects as well."[2] Calling this venture as his dream project, he acknowledged, "I cannot depend on acting forever, there has to be something else to bank upon."[3]

Personal life

In an interview with The Times of India, he said, "If not an actor, I would have been a pilot. I still miss flying,"[16] and further added, "Hopefully, I will get to convert my American flying license to the Indian license soon so that I will fly once again."[45] Vishal is also a fitness freak. At the TV show Bigg Boss, he said, "I'm interested in fitness very much. I work out and run 3 miles everyday."[46] Vishal maintains that stardom is very temporary and that he leads a simple life.[16] He acknowledged, "Till you are young and are bagging good roles, everyone wants to be associated with you. Once you are out of work, nobody really cares."[47] He has a brother named Aditya Karwal and an older sister Raima Karwal Luthra.

In October 2020, Karwal married Heena Suri.[48]

Filmography

Films

† denotes Film yet to be released

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Aappan Pher Milange Raj Punjabi Film debut
2014 Shaadi Vaadi And All That Karan Jaitely
2016 Sexaholic Amit Short movie
2016 1920 London Veer Singh Bollywood debut

Television

Year Name Role Notes Ref
2006 MTV Roadies 4 Contestant Eliminated
2007 Crime Patrol Varun
2008 MTV Splitsvilla 1 Contestant Winner
2009–2010 Bhagyavidhaata Vinay Sinha
2010–2011 Rishton Se Badi Pratha Abhay Markantay Suryavansh
2011–2012 Dwarkadheesh - Bhagwaan Shree Krishn Krishna
2012 Bigg Boss 6 Contestant Wild Card Entrant
2013 Nautanki - The Comedy Theatre Himself Guest
Fear Factor...Khatron Se Takkar Contestant
Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai Devender Chaudhary
2014 Rangrasiya Shantanu Kumar
Encounter Inspector Vikas Sawant
2014–2015 Box Cricket League 1 Contestant Player in Chandigarh Cubs [49]
Jamai Raja Rajveer Singh Ranawat
2015 Kumkum Bhagya Shahid Riaz
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 Contestant
Yeh Hai Mohabbatein Arjit
2016 Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha Krishna
Kalash – Ek Vishwaas Rajdeep
2017–2018 Paramavatar Shri Krishna Bhagwan Vishnu
2018 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Karan
2019 Naagin 3 Ahaan
2019–2020 Dwarkadheesh Bhagwaan Shree Krishn - Sarvkala Sampann Krishna [50]
2020 Pandya Store Armaan
2021 Sasural Simar Ka 2 Shahrukh
2022 Swarn Swar Bharat Bhagwan Vishnu Cameo
2022 Dharm Yoddha Garud Lord Vishnu
Jai Hanuman - Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharo

References

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  2. ^ a b c Mondal, Sukarna (11 November 2012). "The newest member in Bigg Boss". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Agrawal, Stuti (10 November 2012). "Bigg Boss 6: I will win the show, says Vishal Karwal". The Times of India. TNN. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
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  7. ^ PAITANDY, PRIYADARSHINI (16 September 2008). "The right choice". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
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  10. ^ "Vishal's abducted!". 11 May 2009.
  11. ^ "How 'Colors' jumped into the top league". 24 July 2009.
  12. ^ "Vishal Karwal doesn't want to play oldie on screen". 5 October 2010.
  13. ^ "Vishal Karwal in new show for Colors". 15 October 2010.
  14. ^ "Rishton Se Badi Pratha' finally to launch on Colors". 15 October 2010.
  15. ^ "'Hamari Saas Leela' to replace 'Pratha' on Colors". 20 May 2011.
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  29. ^ "It's Official! Vishal Karwal aka Rajveer Singh Bids Goodbye To Jamai Raja!". 15 April 2015.
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  31. ^ "Vishal Karwal to enter Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 as wild card!". 2 August 2015.
  32. ^ "Watch: Shama Sikander's sex addict act in short film is literally too hot to handle". DNA. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  33. ^ "1920 London to release by February–March 2016: Meera Chopra". indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
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  35. ^ "TV show Nagarjun to have 7 new actors!". 19 August 2016.
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  37. ^ "Vishal Karwal has quit 'Paramavatar Shri Krishna'". 19 July 2018.
  38. ^ "After Vishal Karwal's exit, Himanshu Malhotra steps in as the new Krishna". 9 August 2018.
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  47. ^ Naithani, Priyanka (2 February 2013). "TV actors should always have a back up plan: Vishal". The Times of India. TNN. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  48. ^ "Vishal Karwal ties the knot with friend Heena in Himachal Pradesh". The Times of India. 5 November 2020.
  49. ^ "Box Cricket League Teams: BCL 2014 Team Details With TV Actors & Names of Celebrities". india.com. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  50. ^ Suthar, Author: Manisha (6 March 2019). "Dwarkadheesh – Bhagwaan Shree Krishna to return with season 2 on Dangal TV". IWMBuzz. Retrieved 16 July 2022. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)

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