Pulkit Samrat

Early life

Samrat was born on 29 December 1983 and brought up in a Punjabi family in Delhi, where his family has its real estate business. He studied at Manav Sthali School, and completed his schooling from Montfort Senior Secondary School, Ashok Vihar, Delhi.

He joined an advertising course at Apeejay Institute of Design, Delhi. However, after studying for five months, he received a modelling assignment. Thereafter, he quit his education and moved to Mumbai, where he joined an acting course run by Kishore Namit Kapoor.

Career

Television career (2006–2008)

Samrat moved to Mumbai in 2005, and made his acting debut in 2006 with the long-running television show by Balaji Telefilms, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. He portrayed Laksh Virani opposite Mouni Roy and Tia Bajpai. This got him his first recognition, and he won Indian Telly Award for Fresh New Face - Male for his performance. Samrat quit the show in 2007.

In 2008, he appeared as a Contestant on Kaho Na Yaar Hai with Roy, marking his final television appearance. In 2011, Samrat appeared as the lead in choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant's musical theatrical Taj Express.

Film breakthrough and setback (2012–2016)

Samrat made his film debut with romantic comedy Bitto Boss in 2012. He played the role of a wedding videographer from Punjab, alongside Amita Pathak. Times of India noted, "With a character sketch, screen-name and styling so reminiscent of Ranveer Singh, debutant Pulkit Samrat has little scope to create his own identity. However, he pulls off the small-town-munda act with sincerity, and a natural ease." He next played the lead role of Hunny in the ensemble comedy film Fukrey, opposite Priya Anand. The film emerged as a Sleeper hit. Anupama Chopra wrote, "The characters and actors are a perfect match. Pulkit embodies the over-confident charmer Hunny."

In 2014, he had two releases. He first appeared in Jai Ho in the role of a Police Inspector. It became his highest grossing release and collected 195.04 crore. He next played the lead in O Teri, opposite Sarah Jane Dias. It met with negative reviews but Bollywood Hungama mentioned, "Pulkit Samrat is pitch-perfect in his part. He seems to be getting better with every film."

In his first release of 2015, Samrat portrayed Inspector Robin Singh in Dolly Ki Doli opposite Sonam Kapoor. Firstpost said, "Samrat's face is pretty enough, but has no expression and he does a godawful Haryanvi accent that's all the more jarring because Rao's is pitch perfect." He next appeared Bangistan with Riteish Deshmukh. It received negative reviews. Samrat had two releases in 2016 too, both opposite Yami Gautam. He first appeared in Sanam Re, and next appeared in Junooniyat. Both these films received negative reviews and were box-office failures.

Recent work and expansion (2017-present)

Samrat's career marked a turning point in 2017 when he starred in the second instalment of Fukrey titled Fukrey Returns. The film was a box office success. News 18 mentioned that Samrat portrays the "same old confident Hunny" well. In 2018, Samrat first played Veer Arora in the romantic comedy Veerey Ki Wedding opposite Kriti Kharbanda. Hindustan Times wrote, "Pulkit Samrat as always, portrays himself as an extension of Salman Khan. He appears comfortable displaying his brawn and swag but emotes poorly, making no impact at all." Later that year, he played Vilas Naik in the independent drama film 3 Storeys. Times of India mentions that Samrat is "competent" in his role,

His only release in 2019 was Anees Bazmee's Pagalpanti, alongside Kharbanda. Bollywood Hungama mentions, "Pulkit Samrat tries his best but doesn’t succeed in giving the performance that his character demanded." In 2020, he starred as Sunny Lalwani in the thriller drama film Taish directed by Bejoy Nambiar, which was released on ZEE5 on 29 October 2020. Times of India noted, "Pulkit Samrat’s put in some serious efforts to render justice to Sunny’s trauma-fuelled anger; he is good when he’s mad and unconvincing when he’s happy, and that’s a problem." Scroll cited, "Pulkit Samrat and Harshvardhan Rane swagger about and clench fists and jawlines."

Samrat had only one release in 2021, the nature film Haathi Mere Saathi where he portrayed the second lead. The film received negative reviews.

Samrat will next appear in the third instalment of Fukrey titled Fukrey 3. He will also appear in Suswagatam Khushamadeed opposite Isabelle Kaif.

Personal life

Samrat married his girlfriend Shweta Rohira on 3 November 2014. Rohira is a rakhi-sister to actor Salman Khan. Khan was also involved in the promotion of Pulkit Samrat's debut film. The couple separated in November 2015. Samrat then dated actress Yami Gautam, his co-star in Sanam Re, but the couple eventually broke up in 2018.

Samrat met actress Kriti Kharbanda in 2018 and they eventually started dating in 2019. The couple has worked together in the films — Veerey Ki Wedding, Pagalpanti and Taish. After being in a relationship for five years, the couple got engaged in 2024. He married Kharbanda in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, on 15 March 2024, in Manesar, Haryana.

Media image

Apart from acting, Samrat is an endorser for several brands and products including Coca-Cola and Bella Vita Organic. He is the brand ambassador of Pebble watches alongside Kriti Kharbanda. Samrat became the first Bollywood actor to bag an ad in Pakistan. He has subsequently featured in the Times of India's Most Desirable Men List. Samrat ranked 48th in 2019 and 23rd in 2020.

Filmography

Films

Television

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "Happy Birthday Pulkit Samrat: Take a Look at Some of His Most Adorable Posts with Kriti Kharbanda". News18.
2. "Film and Television actor Pulkit Samrat's Biography". Times of India.
3. (15 April 2012). "Pulkit is happy about his debut film "Bittoo Boss"; talks about his role". India TV News.
4. "Pulkit Samrat on his Diwali memories, marriage to Kriti Kharbanda & missing her this year". Pinkvilla.
5. "Kriti Kharbanda Pens A Heartfelt Note For Boyfriend Pulkit Samrat On His 38th Birthday". Outlook.
6. (3 June 2013). "Salman bhai is my brother-in-law: Pulkit Samrat". [[The Times of India]].
7. (10 April 2012). "Look who's on the big screen!". The Hindu.
8. (17 June 2013). "Pulkit Samrat, Prachi Desa: TV actors finally crossover into Bollywood". CNN-IBN.
9. (9 April 2012). "I had got bored of my character in TV: Pulkit Samrat". [[The Times of India]].
10. "What the heck, Pulkit?". [[The Times of India]].
11. (3 January 2012). "Bittoo Boss wrapped up on time, director happy". [[The Hindustan Times]].
12. Udasi, Harshikaa. (10 April 2012). "Look who's on the big screen!". The Hindu.
13. Mukherjee, Madhureeta. (14 April 2012). "Bittoo Boss: Movie Review". The Times of India.
14. (18 June 2013). "Scared to approach Delhi girls: Pulkit Samrat". [[The Times of India]].
15. "Fukrey Emerges A HIT". Box Office India.
16. Anupama Chopra. (15 June 2013). "Anupama Chopra's review: Fukrey". Hindustan Times.
17. "Watch trailer: Salman Khan's action-packed avatar in 'Jai Ho' – Indian Express".
18. (19 January 2014). "Salman Khan s Jai Ho Rights Sold For 110 Crore Highest Ever".
19. "Movie Review by Anupama Chopra: Is Jai Ho even a film?". Hindustan Times.
20. Singh, Prashant. (15 October 2013). "Salman Khan's new act: playing godfather in Bollywood". [[Hindustan Times]].
21. "Salman Khan 'adopts' sister's O Teri". Hindustan Times.
22. "O Teri Movie Review: Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama.
23. Priya Gupta. (8 March 2014). "Pulkit Samrat with Sonam Kapoor in Dolly Ki Doli".
24. Hungama, Bollywood. "Dolly Ki Doli Cast List {{!}} Dolly Ki Doli Movie Star Cast {{!}} Release Date {{!}} Movie Trailer {{!}} Review- Bollywood Hungama".
25. (24 January 2015). "Dolly Ki Doli Movie Review: The film is fun but pretty Sonam Kapoor is plastic as usual". Firstpost.
26. (11 July 2014). "'Bangistan' teaser poster out! - Entertainment". Mid-day.com.
27. Patrick Frater. (22 April 2014). "Bollywood's 'Bangistan' to Shoot in Poland". Variety.
28. "Pulkit Samrat shoots 'Sanam Re' in Ladakh".
29. (10 August 2015). "Last schedule of Pulkit Sanrat and Yami Gautam's 'Sanam Re' to be shot in Calgary". The Indian Express.
30. "Pulkit Samrat, Yami Gautam and 'Junooniyat' crew get gheraoed in Kashmir". Daily News & Analysis.
31. "Junooniyat brings back Pulkit Samrat and Yami Gautam after Sanam Re".
32. "Junooniyat: Pulkit Samrat chooses film over honeymoon". The Times of India.
33. (30 January 2016). "Fukrey sequel announced: Pulkit, Varun Sharma, Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal will be back". indianexpress.com.
34. (9 December 2017). "Box Office: Worldwide collections and day wise break up of Fukrey Returns :Bollywood Box Office - Bollywood Hungama".
35. (4 May 2018). "Fukrey Returns Movie Review: Fukrey Was Fresh; The Sequel Is Only Stale". News18.
36. Divya Goyal. (1 February 2018). "Veerey Ki Wedding Trailer: Pulkit Samrat And Kriti Kharbanda's Film Is Meh". [[NDTV]].
37. "Official Trailer: Veerey Ki Wedding". [[YouTube]].
38. (3 March 2018). "Veerey Ki Wedding movie review: Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda's archaic and tiresome affair". Hindustan Times.
39. (7 December 2017). "3 Storeys teaser: Farhan Akhtar's next production venture uncovers stories hidden inside a chawl". The Indian Express.
40. (19 January 2018). "After the success of Fukrey Returns, Excel to start the year with 3 Storeys". mid-day.
41. "3 Storeys Movie Review: It cleverly demonstrates the art of skillfully telling a story wherein all the loose ends of a plot are tied together into a neat whole". [[The Times of India]].
42. (13 February 2019). "John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Ileana D'Cruz, Kriti Kharbanda, Pulkit Samrat to start shooting for Pagalpanti in London". Mumbai Mirror India Times.
43. "Pagalpanti Movie Review: Fails to raise the desired amount of laughs due to lazy writing".
44. "Pulkit Samrat decodes movie plus series format of 'Taish'".
45. "Bejoy Nambiar's ''Taish'' to premiere on ZEE5 in October". Outlook India.
46. "Taish Movie Review: Taish is timely, stylish and has an important life lesson to impart".
47. "'Taish' review: Web series explores the importance of anger management".
48. "'Haathi Mere Saathi' completes second schedule". The Times of India.
49. (3 September 2021). "Rana Daggubati's Haathi Mere Saathi to premiere on TV on September 18".
50. VERMA, SUKANYA. (20 September 2021). "Haathi Mere Saathi Review: It completely neglects the message of saving our elephants".
51. "Exclusive - Pulkit Samrat-starrer Fukrey 3 goes on floors, Varun Sharma shares update".
52. (9 June 2020). "Pulkit Samrat signs two movie deal with a production house, first of which is Suswagatam Khushamadeed".
53. Sarkar, Prarthna. (4 November 2014). "Entertainment Celebrity 'Fukrey' Actor Pulkit Samrat Weds Salman Khan's Sister ShwetalsRohira".
54. Subhash K Jha. (19 April 2012). "Why Salman is promoting Bitto Boss' Pulkit Samrat". Rediff.com Movies.
55. (9 April 2012). "Pulkit Samrat feeling blessed to get Salman's support". The Indian Express.
56. (24 November 2015). "Pulkit Samrat separates from wife Shweta Rohira".
57. (23 March 2018). "Yami Gautam-Pulkit Samrat's ugly split: Here's what exactly happened". DNA India.
58. (18 November 2019). "Kriti Kharbanda says she's dating Pulkit Samrat, says she wanted her parents to know first". Hindustan Times.
59. "Pulkit Samrat's birthday wish for girlfriend Kriti Kharbanda is all about "Balcony dates and campfire movie nights"". NDTV.
60. "Exclusive - Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda are now engaged, pics from roka ceremony out". India Today.
61. "Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat wedding: Here’s a look at their love story, net worth and more". Financial Express.
62. "Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat tie knot, share first pics from wedding: ‘Through the low and high, it’s only you’". Hindustan Times.
63. "Pulkit Samrat-Kriti Kharbanda are now married. Couple shares first wedding pics". India Today.
64. "Exclusive - Pulkit Samrat has joined the cola endorsement brigade". Mid Day.
65. "Bella Vita Organic collaborates with Kajal Aggarwal, Pulkit Samrat and Sanjana Sanghi as part of the BVO #CelebSquad". Financial Express.
66. "Pebble Loops in Bollywood stars Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat as brand ambassadors ahead of the festive season". ANI News.
67. (5 May 2015). "'Fukrey' fame Pulkit Samrat in a Pakistani brand ad campaign; first actor to do so". Indian Express.
68. "The Times 50 Most Desirable Men 2019: Shahid Kapoor tops, check complete list". Times of India.
69. "The Times Most Desirable Man of 2020: Sushant Singh Rajput - Philosopher, dreamer, charmer". Times of India.
70. (24 September 2013). "'Fukrey' to be re-released on public demand". The Indian Express.
71. (24 January 2015). "5 reasons why Sonam Kapoor's Dolly Ki Doli is better than Neeru Baweja's RSVP- Ronde Saare Vyaa Picho".
72. (February 2024). "Anees Bazmee on Twitter".
73. (February 2024). "ANNOUNCEMENT... #Taish – starring #PulkitSamrat, #HarshvardhanRane, #JimSarbh, #KritiKharbanda and #SanjeedaShaikh – premieres 29 Oct 2020 on #Zee5... Will release as feature film as well as 6-episode series simultaneously... Directed by Bejoy Nambiar... FIRST GLIMPSE..". Taran Adarsh.
74. (24 January 2023). "Fukrey 3 to release on Janmashtami 2023; Laali, Hunny, Choocha, Bholi Punjaban return with laughter dose". India TV News.
75. (2 April 2025). "Pulkit Samrat stars with Fukrey co-star Varun Sharma along with Shalini Pandey in Rahu Ketu".
76. (24 November 2020). "Pulkit Samrat starts the prep for his next film titled Suswagatam Khushamadeed".
77. "The trials and tribulations of Kyunki Saas".
78. (14 January 2008). "Star Plus launches 'Kaho Na Yaar Hai'".
79. (8 March 2019). "Made In Heaven review: The best desi original by Amazon Prime, it unmasks the shiny lies of big fat Indian weddings".
80. (3 February 2025). "Netflix announces Glory: Pulkit Samrat to make OTT debut with sports crime thriller of blood, vengeance and Olympic dreams".
81. "Telly Awards 2006 Popular Awards Winners: Pulkit Samrat Wins Fresh New Face - Male". Indian Telly Awards.