The Rise of Vishal Solanki
Coming to Mumbai was never just about chasing fame—it was about finding purpose. I still remember the day I packed my bags with dreams and doubts. I wasn’t alone. My sister came with me, and if I’m being honest, she’s the reason I ever even thought of stepping into the world of acting.
Back then, I wasn’t particularly great at studies. My interests were different. My sister, on the other hand, was always active in modeling and acting, and one day she simply said, “Why don’t you try acting?” That single question changed the direction of my life. We both came to Mumbai, and for the next five years, she was by my side—motivating me, guiding me, and supporting me in every possible way. If she hadn’t been there, I don’t think I’d be in this field at all.
The early days weren’t easy. Auditions became a part of my routine—and so did rejections. But I never saw rejections as failures. I treated them like feedback, lessons that helped me grow. Every ‘no’ pushed me to correct something, improve something, and keep going.
My acting career officially began in 2012. My first big break came with the television show Parvarish on Sony TV, starring Shweta Tiwari ji. From that moment, I began to feel like I truly belonged in this world. Since then, I’ve worked in a mix of television and films—both mediums taught me different things, but television has always felt a bit more special.
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work on shows like Parineetii, where I played the negative role of Rakesh Singh Ahlawat. That role brought unexpected attention—people started writing things like “the villain is more popular than the hero,” which was both surprising and rewarding. After that, I played Rajesh Pratap Singh in Naagin and also appeared in Kumkum Bhagya. Most recently, I took on the lead positive role in Kahani Pehle Pyar Ki on Dangal TV, playing Sanju. It’s been a great experience to step into the shoes of a hero and bring that character to life.
Apart from my work in television, I’ve also had the opportunity to act in six Gujarati films—Kahi Dene Prem Chhe, Dil Chemistry, Fodi Laishu Yaar, Ek De Ek, Tension Thai Gayu, and Andhakar. Each of these films offered me a unique experience and helped me grow as an actor. From grasping the nuances of the Gujarati language to understanding the rhythm and culture of regional cinema, every project taught me something valuable. The entire journey through Gujarati films has been both enriching and beautiful, adding new dimensions to my craft and perspective.
I’ve also been part of several ad campaigns—brands like Saffola Gold, Tikol Liquid Wash, McDonald's Spicy Burger, and Villain. These ads helped me build visibility and reach people in a different way.
There are certain moments that stand out for me. One of the biggest was seeing a hoarding of me and my sister put up in my hometown—especially right outside my school. For someone who wasn’t known for academic success, that felt like a full-circle moment. Another high point was during Parineetii, when audiences started noticing my performance in the early episodes itself, and articles began to mention how the villain was getting more love than the hero. It made me realize that good work always finds recognition.
I’ve also had writers suggest my name for certain roles based on previous performances—and to me, that’s one of the biggest compliments. When people you respect believe in your craft, it fuels you to do more.
Looking ahead, I want to lead at least four to five more shows, and I definitely want to explore more web series and film projects. I’m a workaholic by nature, and I love staying involved in my work—it keeps me grounded and motivated.
If there’s one message I’d like to share with the younger generation, it’s this:
Don’t be afraid of rejection.
Rejections aren’t there to defeat you—they’re there to shape you, to help you grow, to teach you resilience. Embrace them. Learn from them. Keep moving forward.