Dubai: Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal didn’t just show up for Chhaava—he gave it his all, setting aside months of his life to transform into the legendary Maratha king, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Known for his sharp lyricism and undeniable presence in the Indian hip-hop scene, he was far more relaxed than I had anticipated. The journey that started for him as a young, ambitious artist has ...