Honestly, if you grew up watching Indian television in the mid-2000s, you didn't just know who Karan Singh Grover was—you probably had his poster stuck to your cupboard. Before the era of streaming giants and viral reels, there was Dr. Armaan Malik. He was the guy who made a lab coat look like high fashion and medical interns look like rockstars.
But here’s the thing. For the longest time, the conversation around Karan (or KSG, as the fans call him) was stuck on loop. People talked about his marriages. They talked about his "unprofessional" exits from shows. They focused on the "bad boy" image.
Then 2024 happened. And then 2025. Suddenly, the narrative shifted. With his role as Taj in the blockbuster Fighter and his evolution into a serious abstract artist, we’re seeing a version of Karan Singh Grover that is less about the tabloid headlines and more about a man who has finally found his "flow state."
The Fighter Effect: Why Taj Changed Everything
When Siddharth Anand announced the cast for Fighter, most of the oxygen was taken up by Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Standard stuff. But when the movie actually hit screens in early 2024, something weird happened. Audiences didn't just cheer for the leads; they genuinely wept for Squadron Leader Sartaj "Taj" Gill.
Karan wasn't playing the chocolate boy anymore. He was playing a father, a husband, and a soldier. It was a grounded, restrained performance that silenced the critics who thought he could only do "brooding lover" roles. He spent months around actual Sukhoi jets, and he's been vocal about how wearing that uniform changed his perspective on responsibility. It wasn't just another gig; it was a comeback that actually had teeth.
The industry took notice. You don't just hold your own next to Hrithik Roshan by accident. It takes a certain level of screen presence that Karan has always had but perhaps didn't always use this effectively.
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Beyond the Screen: The "Starinfinity" Evolution
If you follow him on Instagram, you know his feed isn't just gym selfies and red carpets anymore. It’s covered in neon paint, spiritual symbols, and massive canvases. Under the pseudonym Starinfinity, Karan has carved out a legit second career as an abstract artist.
This isn't some bored celebrity hobby. We're talking about a guy who has created over 600 paintings. He’s got a dedicated studio in his Mumbai home where he spends hours experimenting with acrylics, ink, and even broken glass from old Reiki-symbol frames.
What makes his art different?
- The Flow State: He describes his process as "movement preceding thought." He doesn't plan the outcome; he just paints until the "piece reveals itself."
- The Devi Series: When his daughter Devi was born in late 2022, his style shifted. He created a specific series named after her, noting that her energy "unlocked parts of his DNA" he hadn't accessed before.
- Commercial Success: These aren't just for show. His works have been exhibited at places like Terrain.Art and India Fine Art in Mumbai, with some pieces fetching several lakhs of rupees.
He’s even admitted that being a "celeb" sometimes makes the art world skeptical of him. But he doesn't seem to care. He's pushing for international exhibitions, especially in the US, where his abstract style has found a surprising amount of traction.
The Personal Shift: Bipasha, Devi, and Maturity
Let’s be real—Karan’s personal life used to be the main course of his public identity. Two high-profile divorces (Shraddha Nigam and Jennifer Winget) made him a permanent fixture in gossip columns. When he married Bipasha Basu in 2016, the skeptics were out in full force. "It won't last," they said.
Well, it’s 2026, and they’re approaching their 10th anniversary.
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The birth of their daughter, Devi Basu Singh Grover, in November 2022, was a massive turning point. Bipasha recently opened up about the terrifying first few months when Devi was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD)—basically two holes in her heart. She had to undergo open-heart surgery at just three months old.
Karan was the rock during that time. You see a different kind of calm in him now. He’s less about the "highest-paid TV actor" ego (though he did once charge a cool 3 lakhs per day for Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2) and more about being present. Whether it's a quiet family vacation in the Maldives for Bipasha's 47th birthday or just staying home to paint, the "hustle" looks different for him now.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Career
There’s this myth that Karan "failed" in Bollywood because he didn't become a solo A-lister after Alone or Hate Story 3. But that’s a narrow way to look at success.
Karan Singh Grover is one of the few actors who successfully bridged the gap between TV and Film when it was nearly impossible to do so. He didn't just "do TV"—he dominated it. Dill Mill Gayye and Qubool Hai weren't just shows; they were cultural shifts. Even now, fans are begging for Qubool Hai 3.0 or a DMG reunion.
He’s built a net worth estimated at around $30 million (roughly ₹224 crores), which, interestingly, is reported to be higher than many of his film-only contemporaries. He’s diversified. He’s an actor, a model, a producer (4 Lions Films), and an artist. He’s basically proof that you don't need a linear path to stay relevant for two decades.
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What's Next for KSG?
Rumors are swirling about his return to the small screen in late 2025 or early 2026, but he’s being picky. After the high of Fighter, he isn't interested in the 25-minute daily soap grind unless the character has some real meat.
There’s also talk of him being approached for major reality shows like Bigg Boss 19, though he’s historically preferred to stay away from the "house" format in favor of more active roles.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators:
- Watch the "Fighter" BTS: If you want to see the technical work Karan put into the role of Taj, look for the interviews where he discusses the Sukhoi training. It’s a masterclass in preparation.
- Explore Starinfinity Art: If you’re into abstract expressionism, his "Ascension" and "Fragments" series are actually quite sophisticated for a self-taught artist.
- The Career Pivot Lesson: Karan's journey is a lesson in rebranding. He moved from "TV Heartthrob" to "Controversial Celeb" to "Respected Actor/Artist." It shows that consistency and a willingness to step away (like his sabbatical before Fighter) can actually increase your value.
Karan Singh Grover isn't trying to be the "next" anyone anymore. He’s just being the current version of himself—and honestly, it's the most interesting he’s ever been.
Next Steps:
To see the evolution for yourself, you can track the "Starinfinity" collection on digital art platforms like Terrain.Art to see how his style has shifted from his 2016 debut to his 2025 "Fragments" series. If you're looking for his acting work, keep an eye on upcoming Marflix Pictures announcements, as his collaboration with Siddharth Anand is likely to continue in the Fighter franchise.