Pavail Gulati’s Bio, Early Life, Career, Family, and Achievements

Pavail Gulati’s Biography

Early Life & Education

Pavail Gulati was born on 14 September 1987 in New Delhi. He grew up in the capital and attended Bluebells School International, a reputed Delhi institution known for arts-friendly extracurriculars.

During school, he spent summers at workshops affiliated with the National School of Drama (NSD), which helped shape his stage comfort and sharpen his understanding of performance basics like voice, movement, and character motivation. ¹

Reports and profiles also mention time at Whistling Woods International Mumbai’s well-known film school where many young actors hone screen craft and on-camera presence.

While not every detail of his coursework is publicly archived, it’s consistent with his early behind-the-scenes exposure and later performance polish.²

On the family front, several biographies note an arts-adjacent home environment (father linked to documentary work and mother to radio), which can often normalize creative careers.

Regardless of how much that environment directly steered him, the mix of Delhi schooling, theatre-style workshops, and film-school proximity created a practical foundation for screen acting. ³

Hey!! Thank you buddy! Means a lot. 💛💛much love. https://t.co/8IEbHWBziF

— Pavail Gulatie (@pavailkgulati) February 10, 2024

Quick Stats

Training Ground & First Steps

Before audiences began noticing his face on posters and OTT tiles, Pavail spent time learning the ropes behind the camera.

He worked as an assistant casting professional on My Name Is Khan, a big-ticket production where a young aspirant could observe how actors are tested and chosen. That vantage point watching auditions, reading sides, and understanding what decision-makers look for often benefits performers in their own screen tests.

He also took on his first roles in indie and short-format projects, which gave him on-set rhythm and comfort.

His feature acting debut came with Hide & Seek (2010), a thriller made in the early phase of Hindi cinema’s “multiplex” era.

While the film had a modest footprint, it checked an early box camera time, scene-study under schedule pressure, and credit on a commercial title.

Breakthrough on Television & Streaming

Yudh (2014) The TV Moment

Pavail’s broader TV visibility arrived with Yudh, the 2014 Sony show headlined by Amitabh Bachchan. The show’s star power meant every principal and supporting character got attention, and for a newcomer, it was a valuable calling card.

Other Early Appearances

He kept momentum with short films and web shows during the mid-to-late 2010s, including Queen of Hearts (2016), Pyaar on the Rocks, Haq Se (2018), and a cameo turn in Made in Heaven (2019).

This period coincided with India’s streaming boom, which favored grounded performances and writers’ rooms experimenting with character-driven arcs.

Avrodh: The Siege Within (2020)

Pavail also appeared in the military drama Avrodh, playing an army officer an image shift from the urbane parts he’d soon be known for. Even in limited screen time, such roles help actors prove range and physicality.

Faadu (2022) Prestige OTT Lead

A major streaming milestone came with Faadu, directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. As Abhay a driven, angry poet chasing rapid upward mobility Pavail headlined an 11-episode arc opposite Saiyami Kher.

The series drew praise for its writing and performances, positioning him as a credible lead capable of carrying complex long-form storytelling.

Film Career: From Supporting Turns to Center Stage

Early Film Credits

After Hide & Seek, Pavail kept his filmography moving with supporting parts Ittefaq (2017) and Kalank (2019), where he played a journalist.

These roles, though not the primary draw, put him on sets with experienced filmmakers and A-list ensembles.

Thappad (2020) The Conversation Starter

Thappad, directed by Anubhav Sinha and starring Taapsee Pannu, is widely considered Pavail’s breakthrough in popular consciousness.

As Vikram Sabharwal, he portrayed a character whose single act of violence “just one slap,” as the logline goes forces a family and society to confront the normalization of domestic abuse.

His performance had the unenviable task of embodying entitlement without slipping into caricature, and the film’s discourse kept his name in headlines through release. Interviews around the time captured him unpacking the intensity of key scenes and the responsibility of the portrayal.

Dobaaraa (2022)

Reuniting with Taapsee Pannu, Pavail stepped into Anurag Kashyap’s Dobaaraa, a sci-fi-tinged thriller adapted from Mirage. It demanded tonal control grounded realism one moment, conceptual twists the next.

Work like this signals a willingness to tackle non-formula premises and collaborate with directors known for distinctive voices.

Goodbye (2022)

In Vikas Bahl’s family dramedy Goodbye, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rashmika Mandanna, Pavail played Karan Bhalla.

With the film anchored in grief, rituals, and intergenerational friction, he worked inside a large ensemble where warmth and restraint matter as much as flash.

I Love You (2023)

The 2023 romantic-thriller I Love You put Pavail opposite Rakul Preet Singh on JioCinema. He played Rakesh “RO” Oberoi in a confined-space, single-night thriller that doubled as a psychological cat-and-mouse game.

Reviews were mixed, but most pointed out the leads’ commitment to an intense, stylized setup useful exposure for an actor building a contemporary, urban screen persona.

2025 Releases: Deva and Kaushaljis vs Kaushal

In 2025, Pavail appeared in Deva and Kaushaljis vs Kaushal, bolstering a year of high visibility. Listings place Deva’s release on 31 January 2025 and Kaushaljis vs Kaushal on 21 February 2025.

For emerging actors, clustering multiple releases early in a calendar year significantly boosts recall and broadens casting conversations.

Acting Style

Pavail Gulati’s filmography suggests a deliberate gravitation toward morally shaded, psychologically layered men rather than one-note heroes.

In Thappad, he captured everyday chauvinism without flamboyance. In Dobaaraa, he balanced thriller mechanics with emotional plausibility. In Faadu, he widened the canvas leading a narrative that hinges on desire, class mobility, and consequence.

What ties these together is a restrained, modern acting vocabulary: clean diction, an urban cadence, and an ability to modulate energy for the camera rather than the balcony skills often associated with OTT-era performers.

That style tracks with his workshop training, film-school proximity, and early behind-the-scenes experience, where observation is an education of its own.

Also Read: Anjali Barot Wiki, Bio, Career, Net Worth and Personal Life

Collaborations & Industry Relationships

Repeated collaborations often tell you who trusts an actor with challenging material.

Pavail’s repeated on-screen pairing with Taapsee Pannu (Thappad, Dobaaraa) and work under filmmakers like Anubhav Sinha and Anurag Kashyap indicates both confidence and a preference for conversation-starting cinema.

On streaming, the Faadu partnership with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari was another strong alignment, with critical appreciation centering the leads.

Interviews & Mindset

Interviews from the Thappad era show Pavail discussing rejection, patience, and the grind before his widely seen breakout. He’s spoken about the long road to meaningful visibility useful context when you look at a résumé that, from the outside, can seem like a “sudden” rise.

This perspective measured, persistent, and realistic about the industry often resonates with audiences and casting directors alike.⁴

Another recurring theme in coverage is social anxiety and how actors navigate public scrutiny a reminder that off-screen temperament can differ greatly from on-screen confidence.

Whether it’s about mental well-being, staying process-focused, or building resilience, the subtext across multiple conversations is that Pavail treats acting as a long game.

Filmography

• Films

  • Hide & Seek (2010) — Debut feature.

  • Ittefaq (2017) — Supporting role in a whodunit remake.

  • Kalank (2019) — Journalist, ensemble period drama.

  • Ghost Stories (2020) — Segment by Anurag Kashyap.

  • Thappad (2020) — Vikram Sabharwal; film that mainstreamed his name.

  • Dobaaraa (2022) — Anay Anand; genre-bending thriller.

  • Goodbye (2022) — Karan Bhalla; family dramedy.

  • I Love You (2023) — Rakesh “RO” Oberoi; OTT release on JioCinema.

  • Deva (2025) — Release: 31 Jan 2025.

  • Kaushaljis vs Kaushal (2025) — Release: 21 Feb 2025.

• Web & Television

  • Yudh (2014) — High-profile TV drama.

  • Haq Se (2018) — Web series appearance.

  • Made in Heaven (2019) — Episode appearance.

  • Avrodh: The Siege Within (2020) — Military drama.

  • Faadu (2022) — Lead on SonyLIV (11 episodes).

Notable Skills & On-Screen Strengths

• Underplayed intensity: He favors micro-expressions and vocal restraint over melodrama, fitting the OTT idiom. (Faadu, I Love You).

• Comfort with morally grey roles: Thappad required empathy for a character audiences would (rightly) oppose—he stayed honest without pleading for sympathy.

• Genre agility: From domestic dramas to time-twist thrillers and corporate-noir setups, he’s explored varied narrative frames early in his career.

Awards & Recognition

While comprehensive award tallies for Pavail aren’t centrally listed across public databases, critical conversation around Thappad and Faadu consistently highlighted his performances.

As with many OTT-era actors, acclaim often shows up first in long-form reviews and industry features rather than in trophy counts.

Personal Life

Public profiles peg Pavail’s height at around 6 feet (1.83 m). He keeps a relatively low profile regarding his personal relationships, with outlets historically describing him as unmarried unless or until he confirms otherwise.

As always with actors who value privacy, it’s best to rely on direct statements or official announcements for updates.⁵

Influence & What Comes Next

Pavail’s choices indicate a performer oriented toward scripts that say something about relationships, ambition, or the blurry lines in between.

With 2025 releases arriving in quick succession, his near-term trajectory looks busy and varied.

For casting directors and audiences alike, that steady output helps cement a clear brand: a modern, camera-close actor who can shoulder both ensemble and lead responsibilities.

 

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FAQ’s

1) Who is Pavail Gulati?

Pavail Gulati is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films and web series. He is best known for Thappad (2020), Dobaaraa (2022), Goodbye (2022), Faadu (2022), and I Love You (2023).

2) What is Pavail Gulati’s age and date of birth?

He was born on 14 September 1987.

3) Where is he from?

He was born and brought up in New Delhi, India.

4) How tall is Pavail Gulati?

Approximately 6 ft (1.83 m).

5) What did he study?

He studied at Bluebells School International in New Delhi, attended summer workshops at NSD, and has been linked with film education at Whistling Woods International.

6) What was his debut?

He worked behind the scenes as an assistant casting professional on My Name Is Khan and made his feature acting debut with Hide & Seek (2010).

7) Which series made him a recognized lead?

Faadu (SonyLIV, 2022) positioned him as a credible streaming lead and drew strong critical notices.

8) Is he on OTT as well as in theatres?

Yes. He alternates between theatrical/film releases (Thappad, Dobaaraa, Goodbye, Deva, Kaushaljis vs Kaushal) and OTT titles (Faadu, I Love You on JioCinema).

9) What are Pavail Gulati’s 2025 releases?

Deva (31 January 2025) and Kaushaljis vs Kaushal (21 February 2025).

10) Is he married?

There has been no public confirmation of marriage in recent profiles; he tends to keep his private life low-key.

Conclusion

From a casting-room apprentice to a familiar screen presence, Pavail Gulati’s journey has been steady, skill-first, and aligned with the streaming era’s demand for realism.

If his 2025 slate is any indication, he’s entering a sustained run one likely to bring more layered parts and bigger spotlights.