When you think of Vikkas Manaktala, chances are your mind instantly goes back to the charming, rebellious Cadet Hooda from Left Right Left. Nineteen years later, he’s back in action as Special Agent Abhay in Special Ops 2—and fans can’t get enough of him. But behind the stunts, the sculpted body, and the smouldering looks lies a man deeply connected to his craft, his faith, and yes, his childhood mischiefs.
Becoming Abhay: More than Muscles and Action
Vikkas laughs when asked if his intense portrayal of Abhay in Special Ops 2 came naturally. “Obviously, you have to prepare for it. Every character has its own journey, its own mindset. If you understand that, the journey becomes easy,” he explained in a podcast.
Preparation meant both mind and body. “I gained 10.5 kgs to get into Abhay’s body. Then I trained in MMA, hand-to-hand combat, weapon training, agility, flexibility… it was a variety of training.” But he credits more than just fitness: “Physically I worked hard, but Abhay’s writing and direction—the major credit goes to Neeraj sir, Deepak sir and the team.”
The Legacy of Left Right Left
It’s been nearly two decades since Left Right Left first aired, yet the love for Cadet Hooda hasn’t dimmed. “It’s been 19 years and every single day, I still get comments, DMs, letters of love. When the Special Ops 2 trailer came, people said—‘Cadet Hooda has now become a special agent.’ That love is so genuine and authentic.”
And oh, the fandom was intense back in the day. Forget likes and retweets—this was pre-social media. “At that time, real fandom happened. Blood-stained letters, lipstick marks, even clothes sent to my home. That kind of madness you don’t see anymore,” he recalled with amusement.
Sabbaticals, Struggles and Spirituality
Vikkas has never shied away from taking breaks—even if it meant disappearing from the screen. “Everyone has their own journey. I can’t live my life based on what people may say. But of course, those sabbaticals came with pain, depression, anxiety.”
What helped him through? His faith. “My deeper connection with Bholenath pulled me out of low moments. Connecting with Shiva keeps me sane. When you truly surrender, the energy that flows is beautiful.”
Anger, Bigg Boss and Finding Balance
On his Bigg Boss stint, Vikkas had a candid take: “What you see on screen is not the full truth. You’ve been through 10 emotions in a day, but they highlight just 2-3. And anger gets more screen time than joy.” For him, anger isn’t something to be suppressed but transformed: “The point is not why you got angry, but how long you stay in that energy. You must learn to turn anger into love and peace.”
Love, Support and Gunjan
If there’s one person who’s been his anchor, it’s his wife Gunjan. “She has been a huge support for me. She’s a brilliant human being, and I’m blessed to have her. It’s not easy to stand by someone in tough times, but she has been my true companion.”
Their story began in the most unexpected way—at a professional meeting, later rekindled by a chance encounter at a Delhi market. “When she narrates it, it sounds like a film. She says even the traffic slowed down when we met,” Vikkas chuckled.
Still the Same Hooda, Just Evolved
Whether as Cadet Hooda or Special Agent Abhay, Vikkas has one mantra: honesty in performance. “When you’re in a character, you have left your own self. That’s the only way to live it truthfully.”
And with the love he continues to receive—19 years and counting—it seems the audience agrees.
