Parvinn Dabass reveals he was initially not considered fit for his role in Khosla Ka Ghosla; says, 'They thought I was just a good-looking actor' - Exclusive

Parvinn Dabass

• Parvinn Dabass returns for Khosla Ka Ghosla 2, excited by the film's legacy
• He credits writers for sequel pressure, aiming to keep characters consistent
• Dabass hints at a major project in 2026, following the sequel's release

Did our AI summary help?

Two decades after Khosla Ka Ghosla quietly entered pop culture and grew into one of Bollywood's beloved cult classics, Parvinn Dabass finds himself returning to a world that audiences never quite let go of. As anticipation builds around Khosla Ka Ghosla 2, the actor speaks exclusively with MoneyControl and reflects on legacy, responsibility, creative evolution, and the quieter wisdom that time brings, both on screen and off it.

When the idea of a sequel was first floated, Parvinn admits his reaction was driven more by excitement than hesitation. “Of course, it was excitement,” he says. “It’s such a big film, a big film with a lot of expectations from the audience.” The pressure, however, he believes rested elsewhere. “I think the pressure would have been felt more by the writers than us because we are pretty clear about our characters. It just depends on what situation they are put in, in the new script.”

Despite the long gap between the two films, Parvinn wasn’t worried about the relevance fading. If anything, the time only strengthened the film’s place in people’s lives. “People were still really looking forward to it,” he notes. “The film and the characters of Khosla have become quite iconic over this period of time. And that’s a great thing.” He adds that the script for the sequel has shaped up well, making it “great to be back on track with the lovely Khosla family and Khurana.”

Honouring the tone of a cult classic while speaking to a contemporary audience is never easy, but Parvinn stresses that consistency of character was key. “That pressure was more on the writers,” he reiterates. “We kind of created these characters. We’ve lived them.” While time has naturally altered the characters, the essence remains intact. “After 10–15 years, people do change a bit, but not a whole lot.”

Looking back on a career that spans films like Monsoon Wedding, My Name Is Khan, Ragini MMS 2, and OTT series such as Hostages and Made in Heaven, Parvinn says his choices reflect a deliberate diversity. “I’ve done a very wide range of films,” he says with pride. Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 also marks his first sequel. “It’s almost like an OTT show in a way — longer, but within the same world,” he explains, adding that while the story acknowledges the time gap, “the characters are the same.”

Time and experience, he admits, have changed him, but not his core approach. “We’ve all become slightly older and wiser,” he says. “Earlier, I had to work much more into a role. Now, with experience, a lot of it becomes second nature and intuition.” Yet the excitement hasn’t dulled. “That passion never goes away — of working on a fresh script and putting everything into it.”

One of the most telling moments from the original Khosla Ka Ghosla came during Parvinn’s audition where an improvised scene redefined how the filmmakers saw his character. “He (casting director) didn’t think I was right for the role,” Parvinn recalls. “He thought I was just a good-looking actor.” What followed was a five-to-six-minute improvisation. “When it ended, he said, ‘Up till now this is not how I saw the character. But now this is exactly how I see the character.’”

Having also directed and produced films, Parvinn Dabass is acutely aware of the responsibilities that come with a sequel. Still, he believes the primary weight lies with storytelling. “The maximum responsibility is on the writers,” he says. “It’s their job to take the story ahead and make it more interesting. The actor is acting out what’s on the page, bringing small evolutions here and there.”

Asked whether acting, directing, or producing holds his attention most today, Parvinn is candid. “Acting has always drawn me,” he says. “You’re responsible for yourself. As a director, you’re responsible for everything, the entire vision.” While he enjoys directing occasionally, he admits, “I quite like inhabiting characters. Acting is something I love doing more of.”

Also Watch the exclusive interview of director Nikhil Advani

Beyond cinema, Parvinn speaks with warmth and humour about his 18-year marriage to Preeti Jhangiani. When asked about the unglamorous habits that sustain long relationships, “Learning that the wife is always right,” he laughs. “You need to choose your battles and not sweat the small stuff.” Ego, he believes, has no place in lasting partnerships. “There’s no right or wrong, there are perspectives.” Recalling his father’s observation, he shares, “Tu bahot smart ho gaya hai… tu chup rehta hai most of the time.” Above all, he credits Preeti’s clarity and balance. “She’s very level-headed, somebody I always look up to and respect.”

Returning to Khosla Ka Ghosla, Parvinn Dabass is clearly moved by the audience’s enduring love for the film. “There’s so much excitement for the sequel,” he says. “People tell us they’ve watched it 10–15 times. Families say they watch it every time they get together.” He hopes the sequel preserves what made the original resonate so deeply. “People related to the middle-class experience — standing up and fighting for yourself.” Ultimately, his aim is simple. “At the end of the day, we are entertainers. I hope people have a joyful experience and that the film has repeat value again.”

As for what’s next, Parvinn hints at a packed future. “2026 is going to be a big year for me,” he says, teasing a large-scale project shot in Hyderabad that’s yet to be announced. “Once it’s announced, you’ll know.”

For now, though, he’s content returning to a world audiences never stopped loving — one family, one fight, and one story that still feels unmistakably their own.