From stage to streaming platforms, Vikhyat Gulati is carving his own path as a performer. Best known for his layered portrayal of Johnny Malang in the Netflix series Kohrra, he has steadily built a diverse body of work with shows like Tandav, Flames and Masaba Masaba. Trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, New York, Gulati brings emotional depth and realism to his performances.Given Kohrra’s intense and grounded tone, Gulati immersed himself deeply into the world of Johnny Malang. “We were trying to reflect conversations happening in Punjab,” he says. “I watched many real-life videos and spent time understanding the social, religious and political realities. Johnny comes from a lower middle-class background, and understanding his psychology, his struggle to survive and build something of his own was crucial.”Interestingly, Gulati was initially part of the casting process before auditioning himself. “We had auditioned over 100 actors. While jamming on a scene in Chandigarh, we recorded and sent it across. Later, I got a call that Sudip sir wanted me to play Johnny. I had to sit down for some minutes to process it,” he recalls.Portraying Johnny’s emotional and physical journey came with challenges. “The toughest part was understanding how an ordinary person unknowingly becomes part of something darker. I also trained physically because Johnny is a dancer, and we shot demanding chase sequences over several days.”Working with director Sudip Sharma and co-actors was equally enriching. “Sudip sir observes quietly and never takes more than two or three takes. Hearing him say ‘fantastic’ after a take was incredibly rewarding, as he is mostly silent.” “Mona ma’am and Varun sir were extremely collaborative and supportive. They made every scene feel like a shared creative process,” he adds.Talking about the rise of OTT, he says, “OTT has opened up space for more realistic stories and relatable characters, giving actors meaningful opportunities to explore layered roles.”Gulati credits his training at the Stella Adler Studio for shaping his craft. “It taught me the art of imagination and how to fully inhabit a character’s world,” he says, adding that theatre mentor Kumud Mishra inspired him with his dedication to the stage.Reflecting on his journey, Gulati says meaningful audience connection keeps him going. “When people tell me my work moved them or reflected their reality, it reminds me why I became an actor, not for fame, but for human connection.”