Adarsh Gourav on stardom: I never became an actor to be a movie star
Adarsh Gourav spoke to India Today about his views on stardom and how he hopes to reach a wider audience. He reflected on his aim to use his influence to support experimental scripts and unconventional stories that lack production backing.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Adarsh Gourav opened up about critical acclaim, box office numbers, and why stardom was never the goal when he chose to become an actor.
Adarsh's career so far has been defined by critical appreciation, even if commercial success hasn’t always matched the praise. Addressing whether that disparity bothers him or pushes him to chase numbers, the actor offered a candid perspective. Speaking to India Today exclusively, Adarsh said, “No, it doesn’t bother me at all, actually. I never became an actor to become a movie star. I became an actor because I genuinely enjoyed playing and understanding the psychology of different human beings, and then putting myself in that position and fully experiencing it. I had never, ever imagined that I would be where I am today. I was very prepared to be in it for the long haul. I didn’t expect to have a breakthrough like The White Tiger and for my life to change completely.”
He added, “But having said that, I do feel like most of the films I’ve led have largely been on OTT, with the exception of Superboys of Malegaon and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. After Superboys of Malegaon, I realised it was important for me to do a film that reaches more people than those who already know me. There’s a certain section of the audience that has been following my work through OTT releases, but there’s also a much larger section, the masses, who don’t know who I am. I felt like this film gave me the perfect opportunity to reach out to them and say, ‘Hey, I’m here. This is who I am. This is the work I’ve done. And this is what I can do.’”
Adarsh believes his latest release could widen his reach and shift the trajectory of his career. “I hope this film is watched by a much wider audience than most of my previous films. And whatever comes from it, I hope it’s really good, because I want to use that privilege and power to back scripts that have been lying around without producers feeling confident about them. Maybe they’re too experimental, maybe there’s something unconventional about them, but those are the kinds of films I want to do. It really helps your cause when you’re part of a film that’s widely consumed. And even better if it makes money,” he said.
Tu Yaa Main is produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the banner of Colour Yellow, along with Vinod Bhanushali and Kamlesh Bhanushali of Bhanushali Studios Limited.
The movie featuring Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor is set for a theatrical release on February 13, 2026. The film is directed by Bejoy Nambiar.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Adarsh Gourav opened up about critical acclaim, box office numbers, and why stardom was never the goal when he chose to become an actor.
Adarsh's career so far has been defined by critical appreciation, even if commercial success hasn’t always matched the praise. Addressing whether that disparity bothers him or pushes him to chase numbers, the actor offered a candid perspective. Speaking to India Today exclusively, Adarsh said, “No, it doesn’t bother me at all, actually. I never became an actor to become a movie star. I became an actor because I genuinely enjoyed playing and understanding the psychology of different human beings, and then putting myself in that position and fully experiencing it. I had never, ever imagined that I would be where I am today. I was very prepared to be in it for the long haul. I didn’t expect to have a breakthrough like The White Tiger and for my life to change completely.”
He added, “But having said that, I do feel like most of the films I’ve led have largely been on OTT, with the exception of Superboys of Malegaon and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. After Superboys of Malegaon, I realised it was important for me to do a film that reaches more people than those who already know me. There’s a certain section of the audience that has been following my work through OTT releases, but there’s also a much larger section, the masses, who don’t know who I am. I felt like this film gave me the perfect opportunity to reach out to them and say, ‘Hey, I’m here. This is who I am. This is the work I’ve done. And this is what I can do.’”
Adarsh believes his latest release could widen his reach and shift the trajectory of his career. “I hope this film is watched by a much wider audience than most of my previous films. And whatever comes from it, I hope it’s really good, because I want to use that privilege and power to back scripts that have been lying around without producers feeling confident about them. Maybe they’re too experimental, maybe there’s something unconventional about them, but those are the kinds of films I want to do. It really helps your cause when you’re part of a film that’s widely consumed. And even better if it makes money,” he said.
Tu Yaa Main is produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under the banner of Colour Yellow, along with Vinod Bhanushali and Kamlesh Bhanushali of Bhanushali Studios Limited.
The movie featuring Adarsh Gourav and Shanaya Kapoor is set for a theatrical release on February 13, 2026. The film is directed by Bejoy Nambiar.