Adarsh Gourav: An actor redefining the modern Indian male onscreen

Adarsh Gourav is not just another rising actor; he’s quickly becoming one of the most compelling faces of India’s new wave of talent, and here is how he has done that!  

In a short span of time, Adarsh Gourav has carved out a space for himself as someone filmmakers seek out not for stardom but for substance. His ability to embody vastly different characters from hostel juniors to hardened drivers, from gym bros to gentle gangsters is only matched by the depth he brings to each role. Of course, the acting chops were always there. Many remember him first from My Name is Khan, where he played the teenage Rizwan Khan, the younger version of Shah Rukh Khan’s character. But it wasn’t until The White Tiger that he truly broke out, earning global recognition for his raw, layered performance. Before that though, many from the young crowd had already clocked his talent as Ankit in Hostel Daze, where he played an engineering student navigating the chaos of college life. What most people don’t know, however, is that acting is just one of his many gifts; Gourav is also a trained Hindustani classical musician, having studied under multiple gurus for over nine years. In many ways, he represents a generation of artists who aren't defined by one discipline. Whether it’s acting or music, Gourav approaches craft like a vessel - one to be filled, shaped, and reshaped again. And more than anything, it’s his choice of roles that stands out. He consistently takes on characters that defy masculine clichés and highlight the emotional, moral, and social complexities of Indian men today. 

Also Read: 13 popular shows that should’ve been left alone after season 1!

Here’s a look at the key characters that define his journey!

Ankit Pandey – Hostel Daze

Ankit isn’t your typical soft boy or macho hero. He’s just a fresh-faced engineering student entering a world where the hostel becomes both a battleground and a classroom. He learns the rules of this chaotic new life, but also quietly rewrites some of them. His journey from a junior navigating ragging and expectations to a senior with a voice of his own is heartfelt and deeply relatable. Even though Gourav didn’t return for the final season, his Ankit left a lasting impression.

Balram Halwai – The White Tiger

Balram isn’t a genius on a mission, he’s a smart, observant man who knows exactly where his caste places him in society. As a driver for a wealthy family, he’s expected to take the fall for a crime he didn’t commit. But instead of becoming another cautionary tale in India’s deeply entrenched caste divide, he rewrites his fate not with vengeance but with a single bold move. Gourav plays Balram with a quiet fire, making his rise both, a disturbing portrayal of the reality of our country and an inspiring journey.

Neil Pereira – Kho Gaye Hum Kahan

Neil isn’t your typical "toxic boyfriend." He’s a gym trainer with ambition, drive, and deep insecurities. His trolling of others online doesn’t come from cruelty, but from the frustration of not being able to reach where he wants to be. His girlfriend is an influencer and he's a man without the same kind of privilege or platform. Gourav makes Neil flawed but human, a man whose bad decisions come from a place of yearning and conflict.

Jugnu “Chhotu” Ganchi – Guns and Gulaabs

Jugnu isn’t just a gangster’s son, he’s a closeted trans person navigating a violent, hyper-masculine world. Beneath his soft-spoken demeanor lies someone who just wants to impress his father. By the end of the series, Jugnu’s secret identity is revealed, and with it comes a chilling commentary on the cost of hiding one’s truth. Gourav plays him with tenderness and menace, making Jugnu one of the most memorable queer-coded characters on Indian screens in recent years.

Nasir – Superboys of Malegaon

Nasir is a dreamer, a filmmaker, and a fiercely loyal friend. He wants to put Malegaon, a small town known for its local spoofs of Bollywood blockbusters on the cinematic map. But more than making a name for himself, he wants to fulfill the dying wish of his best friend which is to become an actor. Nasir believes in the power of community storytelling, and Gourav captures that spirit with quiet charm and conviction.

From small-town boys to city-bred cynics, from outcasts to dreamers, Adarsh Gourav’s characters form a collage of modern masculinity. He isn’t afraid to play vulnerable, complicated, even morally grey men and in doing so, he's helping redefine what it means to be an actor in Indian cinema today. Happy Birthday to this young growing talent who has made it clear that he isn’t just here to play roles but to reshape the narrative.

For more entertainment, follow us on @socialketchupbinge