Nakuul Mehta

Early life

Nakuul Mehta's family hails from Udaipur, Rajasthan. His father, Pratap Singh Mehta, is a veteran of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, while his great-great grandfather Laxmilal Mehta was the military commander of the Mewar region.

Mehta completed his Master of Commerce from Mumbai University. He was also trained in dance forms including jazz, hip hop, break, folk, salsa and contemporary. He is a trained ballroom dancer having learned under India's foremost ballroom teacher and Bollywood choreographer Sandip Soparrkar. He represented Maharashtra in the All India Dance Sport Federation in June 2011. He was a silver medalist in the Latin Ballroom Category and is a gold medal winner in the Standard Ballroom category.

Career

Debut and television breakthrough (2005–2015)

Mehta did commercials, music videos, and was associated with theatre for a long time. He made his acting debut with the 2005 Telugu film, Abhimaani and then worked in another Telugu film Indian Beauty in 2006. In 2008, he made his Hindi film debut with Haal-e-Dil, playing a painter Shekhar opposite Amita Patak. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama noted, "Nakuul Mehta in all fairness, is very confident, a bundle of energy and knows his job well. His expressions are perfect at all times." In 2011, he appeared in the short film Avant Garde, which received praises and was showcased at various film festivals. The film was a box office failure.

From 2012 to 2014, Mehta played Aditya Kumar in his television debut Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara, opposite Disha Parmar. For his work in the show, he won the Indian Telly Award for Fresh New Face - Male and the Gold Award for Debut in a Lead Role - Male. In 2015, Mehta hosted India's Got Talent 6.

Success, accolades and web expansion (2016–2020)

From 2016 to 2018, Mehta played Shivaay Singh Oberoi in Ishqbaaaz opposite Surbhi Chandna. The show proved to be a major success for him and earned him recognition. For playing Shivaay, he won numerous accloades including ITA Award for Best Actor - Popular, Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role and his pairing with Chandna won them Gold Best Onscreen Jodi award. In 2017, he played Shivaay in Indian television's first spin-off series, Dil Boley Oberoi opposite Surbhi Chandna. Also, from 2018 to 2019, he played Shivansh Singh Oberoi opposite Niti Taylor, post leap in Ishqbaaaz.

In 2016, Mehta made his web debut with I Don't Watch TV, which he also co-produced. It is a satire on the Indian television industry. In 2020, Mehta first appeared in the short film Ved and Arya alongside Sanaya Irani, playing a supportive brother. Rahul Desai of Film Companion stated, "Nakuul Mehta doesn't overdo the urbane drawl-coolness while reacting to his sister's confessions. His eyes are softer than his mannerisms."

Later in 2020, Mehta expanded his web career with Never Kiss Your Best Friend, playing Sumer Singh Dhillion, opposite Anya Singh. Shweta Keshri of India Today noted, "Nakuul Mehta played the 20 something Sumer with ease. The actor easily transitioned from a grown-up to a college boy in the flashback scenes." In the same year, he appeared in another series, BAE Control, playing Shyam.

Established actor (2021–present)

From 2021 to 2023, Mehta played Ram Kapoor in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2, reuniting with Disha Parmar. The show won him an ITA Award for Best Actor - Popular and two ITA Award for Best Actor - Drama. In 2021, he played Vishal in a segment of the series Zindagi in Short.

In 2022, Mehta first played Somesh alongside Naveen Kasturia in the short film Tasalli Se. Archika Khurana of The Times of India praised Mehta's for his "believable and restrained" performance. In the same year, he reprised Sumer Singh Dhillon in the second season of Never Kiss Your Best Friend, opposite Anya Singh and Sarah-Jane Dias. News18s Zinia Bandyopadhyay stated, "Nakuul Mehta is a good actor, and that translates on the screen here as well."

In 2023, Mehta played Ram Kapoor in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 3, a sequel to the previous seasons, opposite Disha Parmar.

Personal life

Mehta met singer Jankee Parekh when he was a teenager, and the couple was in a relationship for over a decade. On 28 January 2012, Mehta married Parekh in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony. The couple had their first child on 3 February 2021, a boy, Sufi. On 15 August 2025, the couple welcomed their second child, a girl, Rumi.

Health

In June 2022, Mehta was hospitalised for 2 days in Sujoy Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai, with appendicitis. He underwent appendectomy, a minor surgery, and had his appendix removed.

Other work and public image

Adit Ganguly of Cosmopolitan India termed him "charming, classy and charismatic" and noted, "Mehta is one of the biggest names in Indian television today and is perennially expanding the scope of his art and talent." Asjad Nazir from Eastern Eye noted Mehta's dashing "good looks" and ability to deliver a "winning performance". In the UK-based newspaper ''Eastern Eye'''s list of 50 Sexiest Asian Men, Mehta was placed 35th in 2017 and 16th in 2018. In the Times' Most Desirable Men on TV, Mehta was placed 15th in 2017.

Apart from his acting career, he is a celebrity endorser for several brands and products such as Westside, Fair & Handsome, Karbonn Mobiles and UltraTech Cement. He also featured in an Amazon Audible's ad film with Rithvik Dhanjani. Mehta has also hosted many award shows and events such as he hosted the Indian Television Academy Awards in 2014 and 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he wrote and performed poems under the initiative #PoemsForHumanity, to raise funds for the needy. Mehta is also widely known for his fashion style.

Filmography

Films

• All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.

Television

Special appearances

Web series

Voice artist

Awards and nominations

Television awards

Others

Notes

References

References

1. (17 January 2018). "Happy Birthday Nakuul Mehta: Interesting facts about the Ishqbaaz actor". [[Indian Express]].
2. "How TV actor Nakuul Mehta juggles mainstream roles with experimental web shows". Hindustan Times.
3. "'TV is still looked down upon, like it's the lesser cousin of Bollywood' — Nakuul Mehta".
4. (29 April 2008). "Bollywood Blue!". [[The Times of India]].
5. "It's genetic for me to not be flashy". [[The Times of India]].
6. (30 June 2011). "Dancing is a full time job for, actor Nakuul Mehta". DNA India.
7. Mehta, Nakuul. (17 June 2008). "Haal-E-Dil is a love story with a twist". [[Rediff.com]].
8. Adarsh, Taran. (20 June 2008). "Haal-e-dil Review 1.5/5 Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama.
9. (19 May 2012). "I love being an actor, it's what defines me: Nakuul Mehta".
10. "Haal-e-Dil – Movie". [[Box Office India]].
11. (5 March 2014). "Nakuul Mehta invited fans to lunch with him in Melbourne".
12. "Nakuul and Disha starrer Pyaar Ka Dard Hai... to go off-air?". The Times of India.
13. (24 September 2013). "Pankhuri-Aditya to get separated in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai...". The Times of India.
14. (15 January 2015). "Pyaar Ka Dard Hai... fame Nakuul Mehta to now host India's Got Talent".
15. (24 November 2018). "Producer Gul Khan bids good-bye to the 'Super Six' of Ishqbaaz".
16. Razzaq, Sameena. (1 December 2016). "Ishqbaaaz star Nakuul Mehta isn't keen on Bollywood projects".
17. (16 March 2019). "Ishqbaaz's Nakuul Mehta: My chemistry with Surbhi Chandna was magical and quite beautiful".
18. "The promo of India's first spin off tv series 'Dil Bole Oberoi' is here and it looks very promising".
19. (14 January 2019). "Niti Taylor to romance Nakuul Mehta in Ishqbaaz; fans are elated with the news". Times Of India.
20. (2 March 2019). "Ishqbaaaz to go off air on March 15; lead actor Nakuul Mehta writes an emotional post".
21. (27 May 2016). "Nakuul Mehta's 'I Don't Watch TV' is a satirical take on television actors' lives". The Times of India.
22. (March 2020). "Ved And Arya Short Film Review: A Sweet Little Short That Goes Beyond Its Simplistic Premise". Film Companion.
23. (25 December 2019). "Nakuul Mehta wraps up Never Kiss Your Best Friend shoot in London".
24. "Never Kiss Your Best Friend Review: You can totally relate to this binge-worthy millennial rom-com".
25. (20 August 2021). "Disha Parmar, Nakuul Mehta's Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 to launch on this date".
26. (14 September 2021). "'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2' Television Review: An entertaining and sensitive recreation!".
27. "Tasalli Se Review: Nakuul Mehta and Naveen Kasturia's bittersweet tale of friendship takes a while to sink in".
28. (2022-04-12). "Never Kiss Your Best Friend 2 trailer: Nakuul Mehta-Anya Singh return to explore romance and its complications in new season".
29. "Never Kiss Your Best Friend 2 Review: Nakuul Mehta, Anya Singh, Karan Wahi starrer strictly for time pass".
30. (19 May 2023). "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 3 promo: Nakuul Mehta as Ram Kapoor and Disha Parmar as Priya are back with their usual cute banter; netizens express happiness".
31. (9 February 2014). "My wife Jankee is extremely messy: Nakuul Mehta".
32. (28 January 2022). "Nakuul Mehta and Jankee Parekh celebrate 10 years of marital bliss; watch video". The Times of India.
33. "Nakuul Mehta and wife Jankee Parekh reveal newborn son's mame in an adorable post". News18 India.
34. "Nakuul Mehta and Jankee Parekh's son Sufi is carbon copy of the actor. See childhood pics". Hindustan Times.
35. stack, liam. (3 June 2022). "Nakuul Mehta discharged from hospital after surgery, actor says 'only lost the appendix not sense of humour'".
36. Adit Ganguly. "Nakuul Mehta: I don't want to limit myself to being just the biggest TV star there is right now".
37. Asjad Nazir. "Nakuul Mehta: The highway to TV heaven".
38. (14 December 2017). "Shahid Kapoor tops the 50 Sexiest Asian Men 2017 list".
39. "South Korean pop group BTS named Sexiest Asian men in UK list".
40. (19 May 2018). "Meet The Times 20 Most Desirable Men On Television In 2017".
41. (2 May 2011). "Nakuul Mehta to be the brand ambassador of Karbonn Mobiles". Bollywood Hungama.
42. "Rithvik Dhanjani and Nakuul Mehta feature in Audible's latest ad films - WATCH". Economics Times.
43. [https://indiantelevisionacademy.com/ Indian Television Academy Awards — Official website]
44. "Nakuul Mehta on his #PoemsForHumanity initiative: We have raised about 4 lakh rupees in 2 weeks". Hindustan Times.
45. "Birthday Boy Nakuul Mehta deserves an award for his quirky fashion picks". The Times of India.
46. "NRI director to produce & direct Telugu film Indian Beauty".
47. (11 June 2008). "Ajay-Kajol to do 'train song' in Anil Devgan's next film Haal-E-Dil". [[Hindustan Times]].
48. (11 January 2019). "'Ved And Arya' Review: Nakuul Mehta and Sanaya Irani tell a beautiful tale orbiting LGBTQ". Peepingmoon.
49. (24 May 2022). "Exclusive! Nakuul Mehta on his short film 'Tasalli Se' with Naveen Kasturia". Firstpost.
50. (4 June 2022). "Exclusive! In Conversation With Team Fairy Folk, New Age Fantasy Flim". Times Now News.
51. (14 March 2013). "Nakuul Mehta: The blue-eyed boy". The Hindu.
52. (15 January 2015). "Nakuul Mehta to host India's Got Talent – Latest News & Updates". Daily News & Analysis.
53. (6 June 2016). "Nakuul Mehta back on small screen as Shivaay in Ishqbaaaz".
54. (14 June 2024). "Nakuul Mehta To Host Crime Patrol On THIS Channel".
55. (17 March 2018). "When Ishqbaaaz met Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara!".
56. (15 August 2021). "Indian Idol 12 Finale: Nakuul Mehta-Disha Parmar Promote 'Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2', See PICS!".
57. (27 November 2024). "Nakuul Mehta opens up about his new collaboration with Star Plus show Udne Ki Aasha; says, "It was a homecoming of sorts to Star Plus where I started my television career"".
58. (11 February 2016). "Nakuul Mehta brings the truth behind TV actors' life in 'I Don't Watch TV' web-series, watch trailer".
59. (2020-04-04). "BAE Control: Rom-com meets sci-fi in this web series".
60. "'Never Kiss Your Best Friend' season 2: Reuniting with Anya Singh was an absolute delight, says Nakuul Mehta".
61. (20 October 2023). "Nakuul Mehta goes kayaking with Ranveer Brar at 13k feet on 'Star vs Food Survival'".
62. "Erica Fernandes and Nakuul Mehta to be seen in a new project, Netizens write 'Miss Bose and Mr Ram Kapoor'".
63. (4 May 2024). "Nakuul Mehta to star in 'Daring Partners' with Tamannaah Bhatia and Diana Penty". India Today.
64. (4 May 2024). "Space Gen: Chandrayaan trailer highlights the defining Moment in India's Space Journey". IANS Live.
65. Mihalcik, Carrie. (December 16, 2021). "Free Guy comes to Disney Plus on Feb. 23". CNET.
66. (10 February 2024). "Nakuul Mehta dubs for Ranbir Kapoor in English version of Animal: Felt liberating, powerful, painful".
67. "Indian Telly Awards 2013 Popular Awards winners".
68. Narayan, Girija. (22 July 2013). "Photos: 2013 Boroplus Gold Awards Winners List!".
69. (16 December 2010). "Star India & Reliance Broadcast Network launch Big Star Entertainment Awards". Business of Cinema.
70. Productions, Fuzion. (10 September 2014). "The 13th Indian Telly Awards : List Of Winners In 2014 – Fuzion Productions".
71. "AVTA 2016: Winners List". BizAsia.
72. (5 December 2017). "Ishqbaaaz wins big at Asian Viewers Television Awards".
73. "10th BOROPLUS GOLD AWARDS, WINNERS 2017".
74. "ITA Awards 2017 winners list: Jennifer Winget, Nakuul Mehta, Helly Shah win big".
75. (12 December 2018). "Indian Television Academy Awards 2018 {{!}} Winners".
76. "Gold Awards 2018 Winners List: Nakuul-Surbhi-Ishqbaaaz team win big; Jennifer Winget-Mouni Roy among awardees".
77. "Harshad Chopda and Surbhi Chandna bags AVTA award".
78. (21 March 2019). "Indian Telly Awards 2019: Complete list of winners".
79. (2022-03-07). "ITA Awards 2022: Harshad Chopda, Nakuul Mehta, Anupamaa Win Big; Here's the Complete Winners List".
80. (12 December 2022). "ITA Awards 2022 complete winners list: Varun Dhawan, Nakuul Mehta, Disha Parmar, The Kashmir Files win big". Indian Express.
81. "Gold Glam and Style Awards 2020: Hina Khan, Sidharth Shukla, Nakuul Mehta win big".
82. (2022-06-17). "Pinkvilla Style Icons Awards Winners List: Find out who won what at the starry night".
83. (14 April 2023). "Check out the complete list of winners of the first Bollywood Hungama Style Icon Awards". Bollywood Hungama.
84. (2 May 2024). "Complete list of winners of Bollywood Hungama Style Icon Awards 2024". Bollywood Hungama.