'Just a good-looking actor': Parvinn Dabass recalls 'Khosla Ka Ghosla' audition that changed his career

Nearly twenty years after ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’ quietly found its way into popular culture and later earned cult status, Parvinn Dabass is stepping back into a world audiences never truly moved on from.

With excitement growing around ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla 2’, the actor reflected on legacy, creative growth, and the responsibility that comes with revisiting a much-loved story.The actor also discussed the "good-looking actor" stereotype he had to break during his original audition.

First reaction to the sequel announcement

According to Moneycontrol, when discussions about a sequel began, Parvinn admitted that his first response was pure excitement rather than doubt.

“Of course, it was excitement,” he says. “It’s such a big film, a big film with a lot of expectations from the audience.” He believes the real pressure lay 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, Parvinn never worried about the film losing relevance.

In fact, he feels the opposite happened. “People were still really looking forward to it,” he shares. “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 sequel’s script has come together well, making it “great to be back on track with the lovely Khosla family and Khurana.

”Maintaining the soul of a cult classic while appealing to a new generation is tricky, but Parvinn insists the core of the characters remains unchanged.

“That pressure was more on the writers,” he reiterates. “We kind of created these characters. We’ve lived them.” While time has naturally influenced them, he feels the change is subtle. “After 10 to 15 years, people do change a bit, but not a whole lot.”

A career defined by variety

Looking back at a body of work that includes ‘Monsoon Wedding’, ‘My Name Is Khan’, ‘Ragini MMS 2’, and series like ‘Hostages’ and ‘Made In Heaven’, Parvinn sees diversity as his biggest takeaway.

“I’ve done a very wide range of films,” he says. Interestingly, ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla 2’ marks his first sequel. “It’s almost like an OTT show in a way, longer, but within the same world,” he explains, adding that although the time gap is acknowledged, “the characters are the same.

”Parvinn believes age and experience have brought clarity without dulling passion. “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 remains intact. “That passion never goes away, of working on a fresh script and putting everything into it.”One of the most defining moments from the original ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’ came during his audition. “He didn’t think I was right for the role,” Parvinn recalls about the casting director. “He thought I was just a good-looking actor.”

What followed was an improvised scene lasting five to six minutes. “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.’”

Understanding the responsibility of a sequel

Having worked as an actor, director, and producer, Parvinn is aware of what a sequel demands. Still, he feels storytelling carries the biggest burden. “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.”When asked what excites him most today, Parvinn is clear. “Acting has always drawn me,” he admits. “You’re responsible for yourself. As a director, you’re responsible for everything, the entire vision.” While he enjoys directing occasionally, he adds, “I quite like inhabiting characters. Acting is something I love doing more of.”Away from the spotlight, Parvinn speaks candidly about his 18-year marriage to Preeti Jhangiani. Asked about what keeps long relationships steady, he jokes, “Learning that the wife is always right.” He adds, “You need to choose your battles and not sweat the small stuff.” Ego, he believes, only complicates things. “There’s no right or wrong, there are perspectives.” Quoting his father, he laughs, “Tu bahot smart ho gaya hai… tu chup rehta hai most of the time.”

(you have become very smart, you keep quite most of the time).

He credits Preeti for her balance, saying, “She’s very level-headed, somebody I always look up to and respect.”

Audience love and expectations from the sequel

Parvinn is deeply moved by how strongly audiences continue to connect with ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’. “There’s so much excitement for the sequel,” he says. “People tell us they’ve watched it 10 to 15 times. Families say they watch it every time they get together.”

He hopes the sequel retains what made the original special. “People related to the middle-class experience, standing up and fighting for yourself.” Ultimately, his goal 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.”

What lies ahead

Looking forward, Parvinn hints at a busy future. “2026 is going to be a big year for me,” he says, teasing a large-scale project shot in Hyderabad that is yet to be announced. “Once it’s announced, you’ll know.” For now, he is happy returning to a familiar universe that never faded from public memory, a story rooted in family, everyday struggles, and a fight that still feels deeply relatable.