The Only Indian In Alien: Earth Cast Has A Shocking Shah Rukh Khan Connection
Adarsh Gourav starred in Alien: Earth as the only Indian actor in the ensemble. The American science fiction horror series, now streaming on JioHotstar, released on August 13 following its U.S. debut on Hulu and FX on August 12.
In the series, he takes on a central role alongside Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay and Timothy Olyphant. He steps into the role of Slightly, a synthetic child navigating a grim, dystopian future. His performance was layered with emotion and already earning critical acclaim. For the Jamshedpur-born actor-singer, this marks a significant career milestone, positioning an Indian talent at the very core of the iconic Alien franchise.
Early Life and Education of Adarsh Gourav
Adarsh Gourav Bhagavatula was born on July 8, 1994, into a Telugu-speaking family. He completed his primary education at Loyola School in Jamshedpur. At the age of 13, he moved to Mumbai following his father's job transfer, finishing his schooling at Lilavatibai Podar School. He later pursued higher studies at Narsee Monjee College.
Adarsh Gourav's Connection with Music
From a young age, Adarsh was deeply connected to music, undergoing nine years of Hindustani classical training, learning the tabla, and fronting indie bands such as Steepsky and Oak Island. Before stepping into mainstream limelight, he performed on MTV Indies and lent his voice to songs, jingles and commercials, steadily building a music-driven profile. He even shared stages with legends like Ilaiyaraaja and Sukhwinder Singh in 2007–08.
A student of Suresh Wadkar's music academy, Adarsh was mentored by Padma Wadkar, who provided him with several stage opportunities in Mumbai. While singing at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in 2007, he caught the attention of Nazali Karamyoi from Raell Padamsee's company Ace, which led to audition opportunities. After a year of auditions, he made his acting debut in My Name Is Khan, portraying the teenage days of Shah Rukh Khan's Rizwan Khan.
Journey from Bollywood to Hollywood
Determined to hone his craft, Adarsh trained at The Drama School in Mumbai before taking on varied roles in Mom, Rukh, Leila and Die Trying. His breakthrough arrived with The White Tiger (2021), in which he played Balram Halwai. The role earned him BAFTA and Independent Spirit Award nominations. To prepare for the part, he even worked at a tea stall.
Post-The White Tiger, Adarsh's work traversed both Indian and international projects. He appeared in Extrapolations alongside Meryl Streep and Kit Harington, and in Hindi productions like Hostel Daze, Guns & Gulaabs and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. In 2025, he portrayed Nasir in Superboys of Malegaon, directed by Reema Kagti, a film praised for its heartfelt storytelling and strong performances.
With Alien: Earth, Adarsh Gourav cements his place as a versatile actor whose journey from a musically inclined boy in Jamshedpur to a global screen presence reflects years of dedication, craft and resilience.
First Published:
August 14, 2025, 13:59 IST
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