Pulkit Samrat

Samrat moved to Mumbai in 2005,[8] 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,[9] and he won Indian Telly Award for Fresh New Face - Male for his performance. Samrat quit the show in 2007.[10]

In 2008, he appeared as a Contestant on Kaho Na Yaar Hai with Roy, marking his final television appearance.[11] In 2011, Samrat appeared as the lead in choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant's musical theatrical Taj Express.[8]

Samrat promoting Fukrey in 2013

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.[12][13] 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."[14] He next played the lead role of Hunny in the ensemble comedy film Fukrey, opposite Priya Anand.[15] The film emerged as a Sleeper hit.[16] Anupama Chopra wrote, "The characters and actors are a perfect match. Pulkit embodies the over-confident charmer Hunny."[17]

In 2014, he had two releases. He first appeared in Jai Ho in the role of a Police Inspector.[18] It became his highest grossing release and collected ₹195.04 crore.[19][20] He next played the lead in O Teri, opposite Sarah Jane Dias.[21][22] 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."[23]

In his first release of 2015, Samrat portrayed Inspector Robin Singh in Dolly Ki Doli opposite Sonam Kapoor.[24][25] 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."[26] He next appeared Bangistan with Riteish Deshmukh. It received negative reviews.[27][28] Samrat had two releases in 2016 too, both opposite Yami Gautam. He first appeared in Sanam Re,[29][30] and next appeared in Junooniyat.[31][32] Both these films received negative reviews and were box-office failures.[33]

Samrat in 2017

Samrat's career marked a turning point in 2017 when he starred in the second installment of Fukrey titled Fukrey Returns. The film was a box office success.[34][35] News 18 mentioned that Samrat portrays the "same old confident Hunny" well.[36] In 2018, Samrat first played Veer Arora in the romantic comedy Veerey Ki Wedding opposite Kriti Kharbanda.[37][38] 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."[39] Later that year, he played Vilas Naik in the independent drama film 3 Storeys.[40][41] Times of India mentions that Samrat is "competent" in his role,[42]

His only release in 2019 was Anees Bazmee's Pagalpanti, alongside Kharbanda.[43] Bollywood Hungama mentions, "Pulkit Samrat tries his best but doesn’t succeed in giving the performance that his character demanded."[44] 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.[45][46] 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."[47] Scroll cited, "Pulkit Samrat and Harshvardhan Rane swagger about and clench fists and jawlines."[48]

Samrat had only one release in 2021, the trilingual film Kaadan. He portrayed Shankar in the Hindi version.[49][50] The Hindi version received negative reviews.[51]

Samrat will next appear in the third installment of Fukrey titled Fukrey 3.[52] He will also appear in Suswagatam Khushamadeed opposite Isabelle Kaif.[53]