A degree in telecommunications from Indiana University Bloomington served as the academic foundation for a career that transitioned from advertising copywriting to the center of Hindi cinema. Since his 2010 screen debut, this Mumbai-born performer has secured a place as one of India's most prominent actors through diverse roles in period dramas, action epics, and character-driven narratives.
Academic and Professional Origins
Born in 1985 into a Sindhi family in Mumbai, the future actor initially pursued creative writing and telecommunications. After graduating from Indiana University, he returned to India in 2007, where he worked in the advertising industry for agencies including O&M and J. Walter Thompson. He also gained early production experience as an assistant director before shifting his focus entirely toward securing acting opportunities in film.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Cinematic Breakthrough
The actor achieved his first major success in 2010 after being cast in the Yash Raj Films production Band Baaja Baaraat. His portrayal of the character Bittoo Sharma earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. This performance established his trajectory in the industry, leading to roles in projects such as Ladies vs Ricky Bahl and the 2013 drama Lootera, where his portrayal of a melancholic thief received critical praise.
Period Dramas and Major Accolades
His collaboration with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali significantly elevated his professional standing. Through his work in the period dramas Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, and Padmaavat, he reached new levels of commercial and critical recognition. His performances as Peshwa Bajirao I and Sultan Alauddin Khalji resulted in the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in 2016 and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor in 2019.
Commercial Evolution
Beyond dramatic roles, he found commercial success in action cinema with his titular performance in the 2018 film Simmba, a character he later reprised within the Cop Universe. His career trajectory continued with appearances in the musical drama Gully Boy and the sports film 83. His recent projects include the romantic comedy Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, alongside the two-part spy thriller series Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge, both recognized as significant commercial earners in Indian cinema.
Fast facts
- Born: 1985, Mumbai
- Education: Indiana University
- Occupations: Film actor, rapper
- Languages: Hindi
- Filmfare Award for Best Actor: 2016
- Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor: 2019
- Spouse: Deepika Padukone
Questions readers ask
What was his debut film?
His debut was the 2010 romantic comedy Band Baaja Baaraat, produced by Yash Raj Films.
Where did he study before his acting career?
He attended Indiana University Bloomington, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications.
