Naveen Kaushik

Naveen Kaushik

Born and raised in New Delhi, Naveen Kaushik is an accomplished Indian actor and theatre artist who has become a respected figure in the Hindi film and television industry. His artistic journey began at Delhi University, where he joined the prestigious theatre group Act One in 2002. Under the mentorship of N. K. Sharma, Kaushik spent nearly a decade honing his craft through rigorous training in acting, directing, and street plays before moving to Mumbai in 2009. He first gained significant critical acclaim for his portrayal of the slick sales manager Nitin Rathore in the Yash Raj Films production Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009), a performance that earned him nominations for "Most Promising Newcomer" at the Star Screen and Filmfare Awards. This breakout role established his reputation for playing sharp, "boss-type" characters, which he further showcased in popular series like Inside Edge and Girl in the City. Throughout his two-decade career, Kaushik has maintained a diverse filmography, appearing in major Bollywood projects such as Dev.D (2009), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), and Bad Newz (2024), as well as experimental works like Greater Elephant (2012). However, his career reached a new milestone in December 2025 with his "iconic" performance as Donga in the mega-blockbuster spy thriller Dhurandhar. Playing the right-hand man to the antagonist Rehman Dakait, Kaushik received widespread praise for departing from his usual corporate roles to deliver a gritty, menacing performance. Beyond acting, he is a pioneer in the Indian improv scene, having founded the improvisational theatre group Mischief in Action in 2017. He is currently preparing for the release of the romantic drama Do Deewane Seher Mein and is confirmed to reprise his role as Donga in the highly anticipated sequel, Dhurandhar 2, set for a pan-India release on March 19, 2026.

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