Vishal Kotian (born 13 February 1985) is an Indian television and film actor who grew up in the Dagdi Chawl area of Mumbai. He had a challenging childhood marked by financial hardship; he has spoken openly about selling movie tickets in black outside cinema halls as a child to support himself. He completed his schooling at Fatima High School, Mumbai, and later earned an MBA in Marketing from Narsee Monjee College, Mumbai. He began his television career in 1997 and debuted as a prominent actor with Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (1998). Over more than two decades, he appeared in over 15 television serials including Family No.1, CID, Mahabharat (2014), Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev, and Vighnaharta Ganesh (2019). He is most celebrated for his portrayals of Birbal in Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal (2014) and Akbar Ka Bal Birbal (2020). In 2021, he participated in Bigg Boss 15 as an original contestant and became known as the 'Mastermind' of the season for his gameplay. He was evicted fifteenth, after 53 days. In 2026, he participated in Bigg Boss Marathi Season 6.
Playing the role of Birbal in the historical comedy serial Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal (2014) and Akbar Ka Bal Birbal (2020), and for his participation in Bigg Boss 15 (2021).