UpdateBot at 09:43, 13 June 2022

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{{short description|Indian actor}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kushal Punjabi
| image = Kushal Punjabi actor.jpg
| alt = Kushal Punjabi
| caption = Kushal Punjabi at the screening of ''[[Crazy Cukkad Family]]'' in 2015
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1977|04|23|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|12|26|1977|04|23|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| death_cause = [[Suicide by hanging]]
| other_names =
| known_for = ''Kaal''<br/>''Lakshya''<br/>''Ishq Mein Marjaawaan''
| education =
| alma_mater =
| years_active= 1996–2019
| occupation = Actor
}}
'''Kushal Punjabi''' (23 April 1977 – 26 December 2019) was an Indian film and television actor. He won the TV reality game show ''[[Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout]]'', the Indian version of US game show ''[[Wipeout (2008 U.S. game show)|Wipeout]]'' in February 2011, taking home the prize of {{INRConvert|50|l|year=2011}}.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kushal Punjabi Wins Zor Ka Jhatka |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20110170304&keyword=television&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=88011 |publisher=[[NDTV]] Movies |date=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714162435/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20110170304&keyword=television&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=88011 |archive-date=14 July 2011 |access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref><ref name=to>{{cite news |title= Kushal Punjabi wins 'Zor Ka Jhatka'|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv-/Kushal-Punjabi-wins-Zor-Ka-Jhatka/articleshow/7579277.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date= 26 February 2011 |access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref>

Punjabi had been in movies such as [[Farhan Akhtar]]'s ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'', [[Karan Johar]]'s ''[[Kaal (2005 film)|Kaal]]'', UTV's ''[[Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal]]'', and Cinevistaa's ''[[Sssshhh...]].'' He had also appeared in a number of television series, most recently in ''[[Ishq Mein Marjawan|Ishq Mei Marjawan]]'' on [[Viacom 18|Colors TV]], where he plays an advocate. In addition, he has participated in several reality shows, including ''[[Fear Factor]], Mr. & Miss TV, Paisa Bhari Padega, Nautica Navigators Challenge, [[Ek Se Badhkar Ek (Zee TV)|Ek Se Badhkar Ek]]'', and ''[[Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa]]''.

He had been a professional [[modern jazz]] and [[hip hop dance]]r and choreographed the [[Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest|Gladrags Manhunt Megamodel]] and Mrs. India contests as well as various fashion shows and music videos.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} He choreographed and directed the 'Star Walk' Fashion event for UMEED (a NGO for children).

==Early life and family==
Punjabi was born on 23 April 1977 into a [[Sindhi people|Sindhi]] family.<ref name=int/><ref name=death/><ref name="IE"/> His father is from [[Karachi]], his mother is from [[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]], and he was born and raised in [[Mumbai]].<ref name=int>{{cite web |title=Kushal Punjabi, model-actor |url=http://chatinterviews.indiatimes.com/articleshow/999895.cms |date=24 January 2005|publisher=[[Indiatimes.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930204809/http://chatinterviews.indiatimes.com/articleshow/999895.cms |archive-date=30 September 2011 |access-date=31 March 2019}}</ref> As a child, Punjabi was extremely active and started cycling, skating, swimming and dancing very early. In the coming years he played football, and swam for his school and college. He loved travelling and being outdoors, and his spirit of adventure made him an apt candidate for adventure sports which he did with great passion. His love of dance theatre and music helped him in becoming a serious actor, and he went on to do more than 20 TV shows, 5 films, and numerous music videos and commercials.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}

==Career==
He started his career as a dancer and model,<ref>{{cite news |title='He's a bit of a loud mouth'|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?xfile=/data/citytimes/2009/June/citytimes_June133.xml&section=citytimes |newspaper=Khaleej Times |date=13 June 2009}}</ref> and participated in ''[[Gladrags Manhunt Contest]]'', in 2000.<ref name=st>{{cite web |title=Kushal Punjabi |url= http://www.magnamags.com/content/view/833/55/lang,english/|date=1 February 2008 |publisher=Stardust |access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref> He also appeared in the music album of Shweta Shetty pop song Deewane To Deewane Hai in 1997. His television career began with the TV series ''[[A Mouthful Of Sky]]'' in 1995 for DD Metro channel, followed by ''[[Love Marriage (TV series)|Love Marriage]]'' in 2002 on Zee TV, and also appeared in a number of series like ''[[Don (film series)|Don]]'' in 2006 for Star One, ''[[Santaan]]'' from 2007–2008 for Star Plus, ''[[Kasamh Se|Kasamh se]]'' in 2006 for Zee TV, ''[[Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai|Sssshh...Phir Koi Hain]]'' for Star One and ''King Aasman Ka Ek Raja'' for Sony TV. He appeared as Sub-inspector in [[CID: Special Bureau]], detective-crime TV series, ''[[C.I.D. (India TV series)|CID]]'' (on Sony TV) from 2003 to 2004 and had a small role in the TV series, ''[[Kkusum]]''. In 2004, he appeared as a lead in ''[[Dekho Magar Pyaar Se]]'' (on [[STAR Plus]]), an Indian adaptation of popular Venezuelan TV series, ''[[Mi Gorda Bella]]'' and also in popular comedy TV series, ''[[Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (TV series)|Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa]]'' on Zee TV. His other shows were ''Antariksh'' in 2008 for Star Plus, ''[[Yeh Dil Chahe More]]'' in 2006 for Star One, ''[[Hum Tum (film)|Hum Tum]]'' in 2008 for Zee Next and ''Rishta dot com'' on Sony TV in 2010 for Yash Raj productions. He also appeared in STAR Plus TV series, ''[[Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (TV series)|Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat]]'' from 2008 to 2010. In 2010, he did a cameo in [[SAB TV]]'s ''[[Gutur Gu]]'', India's first silent comedy series.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kushal's silent cameo|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-20/tv/28114419_1_silent-comedy-cameo-sunil-grover |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104232043/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-20/tv/28114419_1_silent-comedy-cameo-sunil-grover |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2012 |date=20 March 2010 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref> He then bagged a prominent role in Cinevista's ''[[Sssshhh...]]'', [[Farhan Akhtar]]'s film, ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'' (2004), followed by Karan Johar's ''[[Kaal (2005 film)|Kaal]]'', which also starred Ajay Devgn.<ref name=iex/>

He appeared in Hindi films, like ''[[Sssshhh...]]'' (2003) ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'' (2004), ''[[Kaal (2005 film)|Kaal]]'' (2005), ''[[Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love]]'' (2007) and ''[[Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal]]'' (2007).

He was a trained dancer-choreographer<ref name=iex>{{cite news |title=The Freshers' Club|url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=107351 |newspaper= Indian Express|date=20 November 2004 |access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref> and worked as a dancer/trainer with [[Shiamak Davar]] for while.<ref name=st/> He participated in reality shows like ''[[Mr. & Ms. TV]]'' (2007), ''[[Fear Factor]]'', ''Fun on the Run'' and ''[[Ek Se Badhkar Ek (Zee TV)|Ek Se Badhkar Ek]]'' (2008) on [[Zee TV]],<ref>{{cite news |title=To each his own: Zee TV's "Ek Se Badhkar Ek" ruffles feathers, infuses new hope too.|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/08/09/stories/2008080953151500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034344/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/08/09/stories/2008080953151500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |date=9 August 2008 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref> and in 2011 won the TV reality game show ''Zor Ka Jhatka'', the Indian version of ''Wipeout!'', which started with 28 contestants, in an obstacle course set in Argentina, and was hosted by [[Shah Rukh Khan]],<ref name=to/><ref>{{cite news |title=Kushal Punjabi wins Zor Ka Jhatka |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/kushal-punjabi-wins-zor-ka-jhatka/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=26 February 2011 |language=en}}</ref> and was shooting for Balaji Film's ''[[Rock the Shaadi]]'' as 1 of the 3 main leads. He also made a wild card entry in the dance reality show ''[[Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa]]''.

==Death==
Punjabi was found dead at his residence in [[Bandra]], Mumbai on 26 December 2019. The cause of death was reported to be [[suicide by hanging]]. He died at the age of 42.<ref name="IE">{{cite news |title=TV actor Kushal Punjabi commits suicide |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/actor-kushal-punjabi-death-6186937/ |access-date=27 December 2019 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 December 2019}}</ref> He was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression.]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Rohit Roy on Kushal Punjabi's suicide: 'We treat a simple viral with medication but smile through mental ailments' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/rohit-roy-on-kushal-punjabi-s-suicide-we-treat-a-simple-viral-with-medication-but-smile-through-mental-ailments/story-IGVimeoHB4Uqsv6awJpaAO.html |access-date=31 December 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=30 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kushal-punjabi-suicide-audrey-dolhin-wife-of-the-late-actor-arrives-at-his-funeral/articleshow/73008664.cms|title=Kushal Punjabi suicide: Audrey Dolhin, wife of the late actor arrives at his funeral |date=30 December 2019 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref> Before committing [[suicide]], he distributed his property among his parents and son, as stated in his suicide note.<ref name=death>{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/kushal-punjabi-37-found-dead-at-mumbai-home-report-1631863-2019-12-27 |title=Kushal Punjabi, 42, found dead at Mumbai home |date=27 December 2019 |work=India Today |access-date=27 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="IE"/>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Director
|-
|1996
|''[[Bomgay]]''
|
|Riyad Vinci Wadia, Jangu Sethna
|-
|1998
|''[[Bombay Boys]]''
|
|[[Kaizad Gustad]]
|-
|2003
|''[[Andaaz]]''
|
|[[Raj Kanwar]]
|-
|2003
|''[[Sssshhh...]]''
| Nikhil
|Pavan S Kaul
|-
|2004
|''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]''
| Rajiv Goel
|[[Farhan Akhtar]]
|-
|2005
|''[[Kaal (2005 film)|Kaal]]''
| Sajid
|[[Soham Shah]]
|-
|2007
|''[[Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love|Salaam-e-Ishq]]''
|
|[[Nikhil Advani]]
|-
|2007
|''[[Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal]]''
| Ranveer "Goalie"
|[[Vivek Agnihotri]]
|-
|2007
|''Don''
|
|
|-
|2015
|''[[Crazy Cukkad Family]]''
|
|Ritesh Menon
|-
|2017
|''[[A Gentleman]]''
|
|[[Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K.]]
|-
|2017
|''Szoya the Black Widow''
|Assassin
|
|-
|2017
|''[[Black Widow: A Land Bleeds]]''
|Assassin
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1995
|''[[A Mouthful of Sky]]''
|
|
|-
|1997
|''Humko Ishq ne Maara''
|Arjun Sablok
|Bhagyavidhata Films
|-
|2002
|''[[Love Marriage (TV series)|Love Marriage]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2004
|''[[Dekho Magar Pyaar Se]]''
|
|175 episodes
|-
|''[[Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (TV series)|Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa]]''
|Chetan
|
|-
| ''King Aassman Ka Ek Raja''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |2005
|''[[C.I.D. (India TV series)|CID]]''
|Inspector Kushal
|
|-
| ''[[Yeh Dil Chahe More]]''
|
|
|-
|''Antariksh''
|
|
|-
|''[[Fear Factor]]''
|Contestant
|Reality show
|-
|''Paisa Bhari Padega''
|
|Reality show
|-
| rowspan="3" |2006
|''[[Kasamh Se]]''
|Lawyer in Walia Divorce
|
|-
|''Santaan''
|
|
|-
|''Fun on the Run''
|
|Reality show
|-
| rowspan="3" |2006–2009
| rowspan="3" |''[[Ssshhhh...Koi Hai|Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai]]''
|Rahul
|Episode 15
|-
|Major Amar / Manav (Hotel Manager) / Rahul
|4 episodes
|-
|Dhruv
|Episodes 176 and 177
|-
| rowspan="4" |2008
|''[[Hum Tum (TV series)|Hum Tum]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Ek Se Badhkar Ek (Zee TV)|Ek Se Badhkar Ek]]''
|
|Reality show
|-
|''[[Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (TV series)|Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Mr. & Ms. TV]]''
|Contestant
|Reality show (Quit)
|-
|2009
|''Sitaron Ki Jung''
|
|Reality show
|-
| rowspan="2" |2010
|''[[Gutur Gu]]''
|
|
|-
|''Rishta dot com''
|
|
|-
|2011
|''[[Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout|Zor ka Jhatka]]''
|
|Reality show
|-
| rowspan="2" |2012
|''[[Aasman Se Aage]]''
|Alan
|1 episode
|-
|''[[Teri Meri Love Stories]]''
|
|One episode only
|-
| rowspan="2" |2013
|''[[Welcome - Baazi Mehmaan-Nawaazi ki]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Hum Ne Li Hai- Shapath]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2014
|''[[Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 7)|Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7]]''
|
| Reality show
|-
|''[[Adaalat]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2015
|''[[Zindagi Wins]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[#LoveBytes]]''
|Abhishek Verma
|
|-
|2017
|''[[Kya Haal, Mr. Paanchal?]]''
|[[Lord Shiva]]
|1 episode
|-
| rowspan="2" |2018
|''[[Sajan Re Phir Jhooth Mat Bolo]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Ishq Mein Marjawan]]''
|[[Danny Manchanda]]
|
|-
|2019
|''[[CIF (TV series)|CIF]]''
|Shanti Bhushan Tiwari
|Episode 15
|}

===Web Series===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|2018
|''[[Truth or Tamanna?]]''
|Kaizad Poonawala
|Kaizad Dance Academy Owner
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0667451}}
* {{cite news |title=Filmography |url= http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/filmography/13538/index.html|work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Punjabi, Kushal}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Indian male television actors]]
[[Category:Participants in Indian reality television series]]
[[Category:Contestants on Indian game shows]]
[[Category:Reality show winners]]
[[Category:Male actors from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian male soap opera actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Sindhi people]]
[[Category:Suicides by hanging in India]]
[[Category:2019 suicides]]

Kushal Punjabi - Revision history

UpdateBot at 09:43, 13 June 2022