Kaushal played his first leading role in the independent drama '' Masaan '' ( 2015 ) directed by Neeraj Ghaywan . Kaushal and Ghaywan were both assistants on '' Gangs of Wasseypur '' , and he was cast in the film after Rajkummar Rao backed out . To play a young man from a low socio-economic class yearning for a better life , Kaushal spent time in Benaras , where the film is set , and observed the mannerisms of local men . The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard segment at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival , where it won two awards , including the FIPRESCI Prize . '' Masaan '' earned critical acclaim and '' The New York Times '' considered it to be a leading example of increased realism in Indian cinema . Nikhil Taneja of '' HuffPost '' termed Kaushal 's performance “ poignant and memorable ” and Anuj Kumar of '' The Hindu '' wrote that " he effortlessly conveys both the inferiority complex and the attitude of breaking through the caste cauldron " . His performance won him the IIFA and Screen Awards for Best Male Debut , and a nomination for the Asian Film Award for Best Newcomer , among other accolades
2015 Cannes Film Festival
2015 Cannes Film Festival
Vicky Kaushal