Svetloxf at 00:29, 28 February 2026

2026-02-28T00:29:39Z

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{{short description|Indian film actor (born 1994)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2021}}
{{Family name hatnote|Bhagavatula|lang=Telugu}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Adarsh Gourav
| image = File:Adarsh Gourav at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (cropped).jpg
| caption = Gourav at the [[2024 Toronto International Film Festival]]
| birth_name = Adarsh Gourav Bhagavatula
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|07|08|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Jamshedpur]], Bihar (present-day [[Jharkhand]]), India
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 2003{{endash}}present
}}
'''Adarsh Gourav Bhagavatula''' (born 8 July 1994) is an Indian actor known for his works in [[Hindi]] and English-language films and television series. Gourav began acting with the drama film ''[[My Name Is Khan]]'' (2010). He gained international recognition for playing chauffeur Balram Halwai in the satirical film ''[[The White Tiger (2021 film)|The White Tiger]]'' (2021), which garnered him nominations for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] and the [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.co.uk/108860/films-2021-new-releases|title=2021 films: new releases and what's coming out|date=15 January 2021|website=The Week}}</ref><ref name="Quint-24Mar21">{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/the-white-tiger-actor-adarsh-gourav-wins-rising-star-award-at-6th-annual-awff|title=The White Tiger's Adarsh Gourav Wins AWFF 'Rising Star' Award|date=24 March 2021|website=Quint}}</ref>

Adarsh has also starred in the teen comedy series ''[[Hostel Daze]]'' (2019–2021), the comic thriller series ''[[Guns & Gulaabs]]'', and the drama film ''[[Kho Gaye Hum Kahan]]'' (both 2023).

==Early life and background==
Adarsh Gourav Bhagavatula was born into a [[Telugu people|Telugu]] speaking family in [[Jamshedpur]], Jharkhand. His father Satishnarayana Bhagavatula is from [[Srikakulam district]] and his mother Padmavati Bhagavatula hails from [[Vizianagaram]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]]. Gourav was brought up in Jamshedpur and studied in Loyola School, Jamshedpur. He later moved to [[Mumbai]] and studied at [[Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics|Narsee Monjee College]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=S.|date=2021-01-31|title=Telugu boy earns his stripes|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/310121/telugu-boy-earns-his-stripes.html|access-date=2021-07-24|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref> He had participated in ''[[Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Hindi|Sa Re Ga Ma Pa]]'' in 2003 and ''[[Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs|L'il Champs]]'' in 2007 but was rejected from both.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ianslive.in/adarsh-gourav-reveals-he-has-become-better-at-dealing-with-rejection-with-age--20251004203741|title=Adarsh Gourav reveals he has become better at dealing with rejection with age|date=4 October 2025|website=IANS News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/adarsh-gourav-on-his-tumultuous-but-most-rewarding-musical-journey-8830269.html|title=Adarsh Gourav On His 'Tumultuous But Most Rewarding' Musical Journey - News18|website=www.news18.com}}</ref>

In 2007, when Gourav's father, who was an employee of The [[Central Bank of India]], got transferred to Mumbai, the family decided to relocate. He studied at the [[Lilavatibai Podar High School]]. While singing in the [[Kala Ghoda Arts Festival]] 2007, he was spotted and asked if he wanted to try acting. He agreed only because he was excited to be on television. After a year of auditioning, he was cast as the young Shahrukh Khan in the film [[My Name Is Khan|''My Name is Khan'']].<ref name="FirstPost-20Jan21" /><ref name="DNA-30Oct20">{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/hollywood/report-who-is-adarsh-gourav-all-you-need-to-know-about-priyanka-chopra-rajkummar-rao-s-the-white-tiger-co-star-2853227|title=Who is Adarsh Gourav? All you need to know about Priyanka Chopra, Rajkummar Rao's 'The White Tiger' co-star|date=30 October 2020|first=Riddhima|last=Kanetkar}}</ref> He studied in The Drama School in Mumbai.<ref name="IE-21Jan20">{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/who-is-adarsh-gourav-the-actor-from-the-white-tiger-7145770/|title=Who is Adarsh Gourav, the actor from The White Tiger?|website=Indian Express|first=Mimansa|last=Shekhar|date=21 January 2021}}</ref>

Gourav learnt Hindustani classical music for nine years under different Gurus.<ref name="GQ-29Oct20"/> He started getting interested in Western music while in Junior college and sang for the college band "Steepsky". They recorded a single called "Good guys finish last". In college, he sang for a progressive rock band called "Oak Island" which was also featured in ''MTV Indies-Never Hide Sounds''.<ref name="GQ-29Oct20">{{cite web|url=https://www.gqindia.com/entertainment/content/adarsh-gourav-show-priyanka-chopra-jonas-the-white-tiger-netflix|title=Who is Adarsh Gourav? The man who stole the show in the trailer of Priyanka Chopra Jonas's The White Tiger|publisher=GQ India|first=Rimi|last=Chakraborty|date=29 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="MensXP-20Jan21" />

==Career==
He was scouted to sing for Raell Padamsee's theatre company. He also sang for films like Black and White and Chal Chalein.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
Although his acting career began when he was 14, Adarsh seriously started pursuing acting when he was cast to play one of the primary characters in a film titled "Banana", produced by [[John Abraham]] Entertainment and directed by Sajid Ali. While in his final year of college at [[Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics|Narsee Monjee College of Commerce]], he worked with [[Anurag Kashyap]] in his anthology short film "Clean Shaven" with [[Radhika Apte]]. The next year he was cast as the lead in ''[[Rukh (film)|Rukh]]'' alongside [[Manoj Bajpayee]]<ref name="FirstPost-20Jan21">{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-white-tiger-find-adarsh-gourav-on-discovering-the-invisibility-of-balram-and-learnings-from-priyanka-chopra-jonas-rajkummar-rao-9219881.html|title=The White Tiger's Adarsh Gourav on discovering the 'invisibility' of Balram, and learnings from his co-actors|website=First Post|first=Udita|last=Jhunjhunwala|date=20 January 2021}}</ref> and as one of the antagonists in [[Sridevi]]'s ''[[Mom (film)|Mom]]''.<ref name="MensXP-20Jan21">{{cite web|last=Arora|first=Simran|date=20 January 2021|title=Adarsh Gourav From 'The White Tiger' Has A Boy Next Door Look Which Is As Unique As His Acting|url=https://www.mensxp.com/fashion/celebrity-style/84834-adarsh-gourav-from-the-white-tiger-has-a-boy-next-door-look-which-is-as-brilliant-as-his-acting.html|website=Mens XP}}</ref> To work on his craft, he took a break and went to The Drama School Mumbai in 2016. After finishing school, he worked in the Amazon production "Die Trying" and the [[The Viral Fever|TVF]] production ''[[Hostel Daze]]''. He also played Prince Tarquin in the NCPA production "Lucrece" directed by Paul Goodwin in 2017. In 2018, he worked with Academy nominee [[Deepa Mehta]] on her Netflix series ''[[Leila (TV series)|Leila]]''.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

After a few months of not being able to find any acting work, he was called in for an audition of ''The White Tiger''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/adarsh-gourav-says-mainstream-bollywood-movies-never-attracted-him-but-admire-big-actors-who-can-sing-and-dance-101612104603618.html|title=Adarsh Gourav says mainstream Bollywood movies never attracted him|website=Hindustan Times|date=1 February 2021}}</ref> His portrayal of Balram Halwai in the Netflix film has been lauded by all as the "star of Ramin Bahrani's film",<ref name="HT-14Jan21">{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/the-white-tiger-first-reviews-critics-call-it-roaring-success-more-realistic-slumdog-millionaire-that-ll-make-adarsh-gaurav-a-star/story-aVKss0KMdVH4DySPts9VJJ.html|title=The White Tiger first reviews: Critics call it roaring success, 'more realistic' Slumdog Millionaire that'll make Adarsh Gaurav a star|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=14 January 2021}}</ref> with the Evening Standard saying, "Gourav is nuanced and utterly engaging as Balram Halwai, a bright peasant who morphs from lickspittle chauffeur into something more ruthless.<ref name="StandardUK">{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/netflix-the-white-tiger-review-b700369.html|title=Netflix's The White Tiger review: this tale of two Indias is as angry, smart and dark as Parasite|date=21 January 2021|first=Charlotte|last=O'Sullivan}}</ref>" and Variety calling it a "small marvel".<ref name="Variety-5Jan21">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-white-tiger-review-ramin-bahrani-priyanka-chopra-1234875962/|title='The White Tiger' Review: Ramin Bahrani's Absorbing Tale of an Indian Servant on the Rise Is Like 'Slumdog Millionaire' With More Reality|date=5 January 2021|first=Owen|last=Gleiberman}}</ref> The Telegraph said Gourav "gives the definition of a breakthrough performance"<ref name="Telegraph-20Jan21">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/white-tiger-review-punchy-propulsive-tale-grubby-ascent-top/|title=The White Tiger, review: the punchy, propulsive tale of a grubby ascent to the top|first=Robbie|last=Collins|date=20 January 2021}}</ref> The Entertainment Weekly called him "a largely unknown actor whose soulful combination of sheer will and vulnerability should, in a just world, win him the kind of accolades that helped make Slumdog's Dev Patel a star.<ref name="5Jan21">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-white-tiger-netflix-review/|title=The White Tiger brings exhilarating big-screen storytelling to Netflix|date=5 January 2021|first=Leah|last=Greenblatt|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] }}</ref> For his performance, Gourav was nominated for the [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead|Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 January 2021|title=2021 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced!|url=https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/2021-film-independent-spirit-award-nominations-announced/|access-date=5 February 2021|website=Film Independent|language=en-US}}</ref> and was also nominated for the BAFTA for [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=BAFTA 2021: The White Tiger Stars Priyanka Chopra And Adarsh Gourav Feature On Longlist|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/bafta-2021-the-white-tiger-stars-priyanka-chopra-and-adarsh-gourav-feature-on-longlist-2363354|access-date=5 February 2021|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

In May 2023, he was a part of Audible's podcast series called ''Desi Down Under'', along with [[Taaruk Raina]] and [[Prajakta Koli]]. The story is set in Sydney about three 20 year olds from Mangalore who go to Australia to learn surf-lifesaving skills at Coogee Beach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=All about Audible India's latest original offering is Desi Downunder |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/adarsh-gourav-prajakta-koli-and-taaruk-raina-chat-with-the-telegraph-on-their-adrenaline-pumping-audio-series-desi-downunder/cid/1937775 |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-13 |title=Adarsh Gourav talks about his new Audible series Desi Down Under, and why he never wants to feel 'settled' as an artist |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/adarsh-gourav-talks-about-his-new-audible-series-desi-down-under-and-why-he-never-wants-to-feel-settled-as-an-artist-101683899194249.html |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Following this, Gourav starred alongside [[Siddhant Chaturvedi]] and [[Ananya Panday]] in the coming-of-age film ''[[Kho Gaye Hum Kahan]]'' directed by debutant Arjun Varain Singh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Siddhant Chaturvedi announces the start of 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' shoot; co-stars Ananya Panday and Adarsh Gourav share their excitement - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/siddhant-chaturvedi-announces-the-start-of-kho-gaye-hum-kahan-shoot-co-stars-ananya-panday-and-adarsh-gourav-share-their-excitement/articleshow/90074499.cms |access-date=10 March 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=Mar 8, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Writing for ''[[NDTV]]'', Saibal Chatterjee reviewed "Siddhant Chaturvedi has the meatiest role in ''Kho Gaye Hum Kahan'' but it is Adarsh Gourav who makes the biggest impact".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kho Gaye Hum Kahan Review: Moderately Entertaining And Occasionally Perceptive |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/kho-gaye-hum-kahan-review-moderately-entertaining-and-occasionally-perceptive-3-stars-4744652 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Pending films key}}
===Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Title
!scope="col"| Role
!scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|2016
| scope="row" | ''[[Madly (2016 film)|Madly]]''
| Allwyn
| Anthology segment: "Clean Shaven"
|-
|rowspan=2|2017
| scope="row" | ''[[Rukh (film)|Rukh]]''
| Dhruv
|
|-
| scope="row" | ''[[Mom (film)|Mom]]''
|Mohit "Bunty" Chadda
|
|-
|2021
| scope="row" | ''[[The White Tiger (2021 film)|The White Tiger]]''
| Balram Halwai
|
|-
|2022
| scope="row" | ''Kiss''
|Sam
|Short film<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-14 |title=Varun Grover's short film 'Kiss' heading to Beijing Queer Film Festival |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/varun-grovers-short-film-kiss-heading-to-beijing-queer-film-festival/articleshow/95504881.cms |access-date=2023-07-05 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
|-
|2023
| scope="row" |''[[Kho Gaye Hum Kahan]]''
| Neil Pereira
|
|-
| 2024
| scope="row" |''[[Woh Bhi Din The]]''
|Joyjeet "Joy" Ganguly
|
|-
| 2025
| scope="row" | ''[[Superboys of Malegaon]]''
| Nasir
|
|-
| 2026
| scope="row" |''[[Tu Yaa Main]]''
| Maruti Kadam alias "Aala Flowpara"
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=Cinema Express |date=22 January 2026|title=Tu Ya Main trailer: Adarsh Gourav, Shanaya Kapoor try to escape a deadly crocodile |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/tu-ya-main-trailer-adarsh-gourav-shanaya-kapoor-try-to-escape-a-deadly-crocodile-2856406-2026-01-22 |access-date=24 January 2026|work=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Title
!scope="col"| Role
!scope="col"| Notes
|-
|2003
| scope="row" | ''[[Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Hindi|Sa Re Ga Ma Pa]]''
| Contestant
| Eliminated
|-
|2007
| scope="row" | ''[[Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs]]''
| Contestant
| Eliminated
|-
|2018
| scope="row" |''Die Trying''
|Jason
|
|-
|2019
| scope="row" | ''[[Leila (TV series)|Leila]]''
| Naz Chaudhary
|
|-
|2019–2021
| scope="row" |''[[Hostel Daze]]''
|Ankit Pandey
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2023
| scope="row" |''[[Extrapolations (TV series)|Extrapolations]]''
|Gaurav
|
|-
|''[[Guns & Gulaabs]]''
|Jugnu/Chhotu Ganchi
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2022-04-09 |title=Raj and DK wrap up shoot of Netflix series 'Guns & Gulaabs' |url=https://theprint.in/features/raj-and-dk-wrap-up-shoot-of-netflix-series-guns-gulaabs/909526/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| 2025
| ''[[Alien: Earth]]''
| Slightly
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/alien-alex-lawther-samuel-blenkin-cast-fx-series-production-no-sag-aftra-actors-strike-1235443713/|title='Alien': Alex Lawther & Samuel Blenkin Among Quartet Cast As FX Series Starts Production With No SAG-AFTRA Actors Amid Strike|first1=Liz|last1=Shackleton|first2=Nellie|last2=Andreeva|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 20, 2023|access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref>
|}

==Awards and nominations==

{| class="wikitable sortable" width=100%
|-
! width=5%|Year
! width=20%|Award
! width=20%| Category
! width=40%| Nominated Work
! width=10%| Result
!width=5%|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
|[[10th AACTA International Awards|2021]]
|[[AACTA International Awards]]
|[[AACTA International Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|rowspan="3"|''[[The White Tiger (2021 film)|The White Tiger]]''
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|[[74th British Academy Film Awards|2021]]
|[[British Academy Film Awards]]
|[[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor in a Leading Role]]
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|[[36th Independent Spirit Awards|2021]]
|[[Independent Spirit Awards]]
|[[Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead|Best Male Lead]]
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|[[2021 Filmfare OTT Awards|2021]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Filmfare OTT Awards]]
|Best Actor in a Comedy Series
|''[[Hostel Daze]]''
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|[[2024 Filmfare OTT Awards|2024]]
| Best Actor in a Web Original Film
|''[[Kho Gaye Hum Kahan]]''
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 Nominations |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2024/vote#164 |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=Filmfare}}</ref>
|-
| 2024 || [[Indian Film Festival of Melbourne]] || Disruptor in Cinema || {{n/a}} || {{won}} || <ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 full winners list: 12th Fail is Best Film, Kartik Aaryan declared Best Actor |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/indian-film-festival-of-melbourne-2024-full-winners-list-12th-fail-is-best-film-kartik-aaryan-declared-best-actor-101723861728450.html |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=17 August 2024 |access-date=17 August 2024}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{IMDb name|3841091}}
*{{Instagram|gouravadarsh}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gourav, Adarsh}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1994 births]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Telugu male actors]]
[[Category:Indian male singers]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Indian male child actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Jamshedpur]]

Adarsh Gourav - Revision history

Svetloxf at 00:29, 28 February 2026