From Shah Rukh Khan and Sushant Singh Rajput to Mrunal Thakur and Vidya Balan, many stars began their acting careers on the small screen and evolved into Bollywood sensations. However, for every success story, there are tales of struggle and perseverance. One such tale belongs to Karan Singh Grover, a name synonymous with television stardom whose transition to Bollywood was fraught with challenges.
Born on February 23 in New Delhi to a Punjabi Sikh family, Karan’s early life took an unusual turn when his family relocated to Saudi Arabia. He did his schooling at the International Indian School in Saudi Arabia and later pursued a degree in hotel management at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Mumbai, an institution catering to international students. His first job took him to the Middle East, where he worked as a marketing executive at the Sheraton Hotel in Oman.
Karan’s journey back to India marked a transformative phase in his life. Switching lanes from hospitality to showbiz, he embarked on a career in modeling. His striking presence and charm quickly landed him his first acting gig in the MTV India show “Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi” in 2004. Over the next few years, Karan became a household name, playing leading roles in several acclaimed television series such as “Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2,” “Dill Mill Gayye,” and “Qubool Hai.” His versatility also saw him participating in various reality shows including “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3,” “Nach Baliye 3,” and “Khatron Ke Khiladi 3.”
In 2008, Karan made his Bollywood debut with a minor role in the film “Bhram.” It wasn’t until four years later that he appeared again in “I M 24” in another small role. His major breakthrough as a lead came in 2015 with the film “Alone,” where he starred opposite Bipasha Basu. The film not only marked Karan’s big-screen debut as a hero but also became the starting point of his relationship with Bipasha, culminating in their marriage in 2016. That same year, Karan also appeared in “Hate Story 3,” an erotic thriller featuring Sharman Joshi, Daisy Shah, and Zareen Khan, which became his first significant box office success.
Despite his initial struggles, Karan’s story is one of resilience.
. After a hiatus from Bollywood, he returned in a significant role in “Fighter,” directed by Siddharth Anand. The film starred Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone in leading roles and became a box office hit, earning Rs 358 crore worldwide. Karan’s portrayal of Squadron Leader Sartaj Gill put him back in the limelight.
In terms of his personal life, Karan’s journey has been equally eventful. Before his marriage to Bipasha Basu, Karan experienced two failed marriages. His first marriage to actress Shraddha Nigam in 2008 lasted merely ten months. He then married Jennifer Winget in 2012, but this too ended in divorce two years later. However, his third marriage seems to have brought him stability and joy. Six years after marrying Bipasha in 2016, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Devi Basu Singh Grover, in 2022.
Karan’s social media presence reflects his lavish lifestyle. Frequently sharing photos from exotic holidays and family moments, he keeps his followers engaged and connected. Reports indicate that he was among the highest-paid actors on Indian television, reportedly charging Rs 3 lakh per episode for his role in “Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2” between 2019 and 2020. This impressive fee contributes to his estimated net worth of around Rs 224 crores.
In essence, Karan Singh Grover’s life has been a tapestry of high and lows, professional achievements, and personal struggles. From his early days in the Middle East to his rise on Indian television and subsequent foray into Bollywood, his journey underscores the unpredictability and passion that define a career in the entertainment industry. His story serves as a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the undying spirit to succeed against all odds.
