5 min readNew DelhiSep 3, 2025 02:21 PM IST
When Ishq Vishk released in 2003, it shot the debutant actors Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao and Vishal Malhotra to fame. While Shahid went on to become a huge star, Vishal Malhotra was remembered as Mambo and was only offered similar roles. After doing a slew of films where he played hero’s best friend, he decided to put his foot down and ask for a different character. The actor recalled this made the producer drop him from the film and ensured he was ostracised from the industry for at least 2 years.
In a recent interview, Vishal shared that despite a 30-year career in the film industry, he is yet to purchase a car of his own and associated his name with a toilet company to become a brand. Both the gambles played well for him, ensuring that he had economic security and a house of his own.
Speaking to Hindi Rush, Vishal shared, “When I asked for a different role, that big producer took it on his ego. Its side effects were dangerous. I was not prepared for its impact. When a powerful person like that dismisses your capability, you are finished. I had no work for two years. I was very scared after that.” The setback taught Vishal the biggest lesson of his life–to create a different path for himself and treat acting as just a hobby.
Actress Himani Shivpuri, Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Malhotra in film Kismat Konnection. (Photo: Express Archive photo)
“After that, I started my own business. I earned my own money and protected myself financially with a different profession so that when you come across such shocks in life, you are not affected as much,” recalled the Vicky Vetaal actor. He also recalled how despite all the work in the industry, everybody only remembered him through his character name and not his real name. This prompted him to take up the Harpic ad, which became something of a talking point.
ALSO READ | ‘Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan were fighting, but didn’t allow anyone to badmouth each other,’ says Vishal Malhotra: ‘Shut up and leave’
“When they approached me, I too like others had these thoughts: ‘Harpic is a toilet brand, how will this affect my image?’ However, the biggest reason I took up the ad is because until Harpic, people recognised me as Mambo, Vetaal and John, but after Harpic, they recognised me as Vishal. I just took it up to brand my name. Today Shah Rukh Khan is its brand ambassador.” He claimed Harpic paid him a lot of money, “So much that I bought a nice house in a location like Bandra.”
If there is anything he doesn’t own, it is a four-wheeler and has a good reason for taking that decision.
Story continues below this ad
In the same interview, he confessed, “I still don’t have a car. I travel using Uber. Its insane to be buying a luxury car in a city like Mumbai. I have a electric Hero cycle; it is fun. My wife owns a car, which goes to school and takes care of them. I believe in living a simple life.”
Explaining his philosophy behind not owning a luxury car, Vishal said, “You should buy a luxury car only when you have ten times its actual price saved in the bank. Otherwise it makes no sense. It is very important to have financial backup for any artist. People get lost in glamour, just imagine paying an EMI of Rs 80k every month. That is a lot of money to pay. [If invested right] you can make so much use of this money.”
Speaking about investments, Vishal shared how he was encouraged by his parents to start investing money right from the time when he received his first pay cheque.
ALSO READ | First of Many: Vishal Malhotra revisits Hip Hip Hurray
Story continues below this ad
“I started investing money very early in my life. Thanks to my father for that. Like any typical Hindi film, I too went to my mom with my first ever pay cheque when she asked me to invest in Reliance Industries shares for Rs 715 and I will be very happy.” He shared how his parents made him understand the value of investments. “Whatever you are giving me today, you will be able to buy a house in five years with this money. They guided me well.”
Vishal starred in several films such as Salaam-E-Ishq, Kaal and Kismat Konnection, among others. He is also a popular television star with Disney shows like: ‘Disney Hour, Hip Hip Hurray, and Vicky and Vetaal, among others. After working as actor, Vishal has also turned into a producer.
According to his LinkedIn profile, the actor started working at 18. Eventually, he launched his production company. He recently produced World’s First NFT-funded film “ILM”, which received critical acclaim from audiences and industry experts alike.
Apart from his professional achievements, Vishal is also a fitness enthusiast who believes in leading a healthy lifestyle. The actor also has his own YouTube channel with 78.5k subscribers, where he discusses movies, astrology, money, politics and fitness, among other things.
Actress Himani Shivpuri, Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Malhotra in film Kismat Konnection. (Photo: Express Archive photo)
A still from tv seiral Vickey Aur Vetaal with a child artist Dev Kantawala and Vishal Malhotra. (Photo: Express Archive)
Vishal Malhotra shares how he survived Bollywood. (Photo: Vishal Malhotra/Instagram)