Arshad Warsi

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Arshad Warsi
Born
1968-04-19 (age 58)
Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India


Occupation
Actor



Arshad Warsi (born 19 April 1968) is an Indian actor who appears in Hindi films.[1][2] He is the recipient of several awards including a Filmfare Award from five nominations and is noted for acting in varied film genres.

Before making his acting debut, Warsi served as an assistant director to Mahesh Bhatt in Kaash (1987) and also choreographed a song in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993). Warsi made his acting debut in 1996 with Tere Mere Sapne, which was a box office success. His portrayal of Circuit in the comedy film Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), and its sequel Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role marked a turning point in his career. He featured in several commercially successful comedy films, including Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999), Hulchul (2004), Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005), Salaam Namaste (2005), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Dhamaal (2007), Krazzy 4 (2008), Golmaal Returns (2008), Ishqiya (2010), Golmaal 3 (2010), F.A.L.T.U (2011), Double Dhamaal (2011), Jolly LLB (2013), Golmaal Again (2017) and Total Dhamaal (2019), and received critical recognition for his work in films including Sehar (2005), Kabul Express (2006), Dedh Ishqiya (2014) and Guddu Rangeela (2015). He is widely regarded by many as one of the most underrated actors in the Hindi film industry.[3][4]

In addition to acting in films, Warsi has hosted the dance show Razzmatazz in 2001, Sabse Favourite Kaun in 2004 and the first season of the reality television show Bigg Boss for which he was awarded the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Anchor – Game/Quiz Show. He starred opposite Karisma Kapoor in the TV serial Karishma – The Miracles of Destiny (2003) and featured as a judge for Zara Nachke Dikha in 2010. Warsi is married to Maria Goretti since 1999 with whom he has two children.

Early life and education

Warsi was born in Mumbai. His father, Ahmed Ali Khan (Ashiq Hussain), was an Urdu poet who had also worked as a musician in Hindi films and adopted the name Warsi after he became a follower of the Sufi saint Waris Ali Shah.[5] Arshad is the half-brother of singer Anwar Hussain and actress Asha Sachdev from his father's first marriage to actress Ranjana Sachdev.[6]

His father being a Punjabi from Lahore, Warsi used to speak both Punjabi and Urdu while growing up.[7] He did his schooling at a boarding school, Barnes School, in Deolali, Nashik district, Maharashtra.[8] He was orphaned at the age of 14 and struggled for a living in Bombay during his early days.[9] He left school after 10th standard.[10]

Financial circumstances forced Warsi to start work as a door-to-door cosmetics salesman at age 17. Later he worked in a photo-lab. Meanwhile, he developed a keen interest in dancing and received an offer to join Akbar Sami's Dance group in Mumbai, which started his dancing and choreographing in Thikana (1987) and Kaash (1987).[11][12]

Then in 1991, he won the Indian dance competition, followed by the fourth prize in the Modern Jazz category in the 1992 World Dance championship, London, at the age of 21.[13] Soon, he started his own dance studio, "Awesome" with that money and also formed a dance troupe. It was here that his future wife, Maria Goretti, a St. Andrew's College student, joined him before she became a VJ. He was also associated with English theatre group in Mumbai, choreographing shows for Bharat Dabholkar and got an opportunity to choreograph the title track for the film Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993).[13] During this time he was offered a role by Jaya Bachchan for Tere Mere Sapne.[10]

Film career

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He got his first offer to act in Amitabh Bachchan's production company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation's first production Tere Mere Sapne in 1996. Before that he had made a small appearance as a dancer in a song in Aag Se Khelenge.[14] He followed this by roles in films such as Betaabi (1997), Mere Do Anmol Ratan and Hero Hindustani (both 1998). His performance in P Vasu's Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999) was praised by Rediff.com's Suparn Verma.[15] Warsi's next release was Madhur Bhandarkar's directorial debut Trishakti (1999). Completed in 3 years, the film performed poorly at the box office.[16] His only film appearances of 2001 were in Ghaath, followed by Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao (2001) and Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002). Most of these failed to do well at the box office. In Shashanka Ghosh's Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II, he played a common man who saves the life of a goon who is fatally shot. Ronjita Kulkarni wrote that he gave a "winning performance".[17]

In 2003, he rose to fame when he starred as Circuit to Munna Bhai (Sanjay Dutt) in Rajkumar Hirani's comedy Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. which turned out to be a huge box office success and gained him much critical acclaim and a nomination at the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.[18][19] He won the Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for the same. Warsi said in an interview that had the film not worked, his career would have finished.[20] His only release in 2004 was the comedy Hulchul which earned him the GIFA Best Comedian Award and nominations for the Screen Award for Best Actor, Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role and IIFA Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. Warsi played an airport manager opposite Mahima Chaudhry in Samar Khan's Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005).[21] His performance in Sehar was positively received by critics and Sanhita Paradkar of Rediff.com wrote that: "finally [he is] in a much-deserved lead role".[22] In the same year he appeared as a supporting actor in the romantic comedies Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? and Salaam Namaste.[23][24] For the latter, he was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He played a computer hacker in the Vivek Agnihotri-directed suspense thriller film Chocolate. Indrani Roy Mitra of Rediff.com said that Warsi gave a "commendable [performance]" in Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005).[25]

Warsi collaborated with Rohit Shetty for Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), which was the first installment of the Golmaal series. His next release was the comic thriller Anthony Kaun Hai?, directed by Raj Kaushal. The film drew from many Hollywood and Bollywood films and Warsi won praise from critics for his role of a conman. Raj Lalwani opined that the film "belongs to [him]" and that he was "one of the most underrated actors around".[26] He once again teamed up with Rajkumar Hirani and Sanjay Dutt for Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), which won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role, IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor, Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role and Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor.[27][28][29] His portrayal of a cameraman kidnapped by the Taliban in the counter-terrorism drama Kabul Express (2006), from Kabir Khan, won appreciation.[30] H S Bunty wrote that Warsi "steals the show".[31] Warsi appeared in the box office success comedy Dhamaal (2007).[32] He played the role of a Pakistani footballer living in London in the sports drama Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007). In director Jaideep Sen's comedy Krazzy 4, Warsi a person suffering from intermittent explosive disorder. The film failed to generate favourable reviews.[33][34] Ameeta Gupta praised Warsi's performance in Deepak Shivdasani's comedy Mr. Black Mr. White (2008).[35] He reteamed with Rohit Shetty for the comedy Golmaal Returns (2008).[36] His first release of 2009 was Kisse Pyaar Karoon, followed by Ek Se Bure Do. He played lead role in Neeraj Vora-directed comedy Shortkut, a remake of the Malayalam film Udayananu Tharam (2005).[37]

In 2010, Warsi won the Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor and the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor for the black-comedy Ishqiya. He appeared alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Vidya Balan.[38] He produced and acted in Hum Tum Aur Ghost.[39] The film received negative reviews and performed poorly financially.[40][41][42] He once again collaborated with Rohit Shetty for the comedy Golmaal 3. It was a commercial success.[43] Raja Sen opined that "Warsi [was] killing all the streetside-cred he's built up with bhai-sidekick roles by overdoing it."[44] His 2011 releases include the comedies F.A.L.T.U and Double Dhamaal, which were both above-average grossers. The former was directed by Remo D'Souza and was inspired by the 2006 American comedy film Accepted, directed by Steve Pink.[45] Preeti Arora called the latter a "huge disappointment".[46]

His only film role in 2012 was in a guest appearance in Ajab Gazabb Love. CNN-IBN wrote that Warsi was "good and effective".[47] His first release of 2013 was the action-thriller Zila Ghaziabad in which he played the role of a gangster. Charu Thakur criticised the film but praised Warsi's performance.[48] He played a lawyer in the Subhash Kapoor-directed Jolly LLB, his first solo hit.[49] Raja Sen wrote that he was "earnest to a fault".[50] He was awarded the BIG Star Entertainment Award for Most Entertaining Actor in a Comedy Film (Male) and the IIFA Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role and Apsara Film Producers Guild Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for his performance in the comedy drama.[51][52][53] The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. Warsi played an important role in the Amrit Sagar Chopra-directed sex comedy Template:Lang (2013). He starred as the titular detective in Samir Tewari's comedy Mr Joe B. Carvalho opposite Soha Ali Khan.[54] Panned by critics, the film failed to perform well at the box office.[55] He starred in Abhishek Chaubey's Dedh Ishqiya (2014).[56] He suffered a head injury while shooting an action scene for Manish Jha's comedy film The Legend of Michael Mishra.[57] Ashish R Mohan's comedy Welcome to Karachi (2015) featured Warsi alongside Jackky Bhagnani and Lauren Gottlieb. Rohit Vats and Shubha Shetty-Saha lauded Warsi's acting and comic timing.[58][59] Warsi's next superhit was Golmaal Again in 2017, in which he reprised the role of Madhav from previous Golmaal films, starring alongside Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Parineeti Chopra, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Khemu and Tusshar Kapoor. It went on to become one of the year's highest grossers and was a blockbuster at the box office. After Golmaal Again, he went on to star in Bhaiyyaji Superhitt, Fraud Saiyaan, Total Dhamaal, Pagalpanti while film Zamaanat, a courtroom drama directed by S Ramanathan, is still unreleased.[60] Arshad Warsi's last release was in March 2022, the Akshay Kumar and Kriti Sanon starrer 'Bachchan Pandey'.[61] He'll next be seen in Jolly LLB 3 with Akshay Kumar, releasing on 19th September, 2025. [1][2]

Television career

Warsi was the co-host of the dance show Razzmatazz (2001) on Zee TV.[62] He starred opposite Karisma Kapoor in the TV serial Karishma – The Miracles of Destiny from 2003 to 2004. It aired on Sahara One.[63] He hosted a popular award show Sabse Favourite Kaun (2004) for STAR Gold.[64] He was the host of Bigg Boss 1 (2006), the Indian version of the reality television series Big Brother which was aired on Sony Entertainment. Warsi won the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Anchor—Game/Quiz Show for this.[65] He has also done a small cameo on Disney Channel's television show Ishaan: Sapno Ko Awaaz De (2010).[66]

Personal life

File:Maria-Goretti-Arshad-Warsi-Family.jpg
Warsi with wife Maria Goretti and children in 2005

Arshad Warsi married Maria Goretti on 15 February 1996. They have two kids, son named Zeke Warsi, born in 2005 and daughter Zene Zoe Warsi, born in 2007. Zeke also, made a special appearance in Salaam Namaste. During his school days, Warsi was a national level gymnast.[67] In March 2023, Arshad Warsi was accused by India's securities regulator SEBI to have participated in a stock market scam.[68]

Reception

Warsi considers himself a better serious actor than a comic one.[69] He's also an avid biker and was part of a bikers' gang in school.[70] Actor Naseeruddin Shah said that: "He is easily the best all-round actor in this generation", while Vidya Balan said of Warsi: "He reminds me of the great European actors who can fit into any role. But he is completely under-utilised".[13] In his book Hero Vol.2, Ashok Raj has called him "one of the most talented actors among today's breed".[71] A well known actor, Warsi does not prefer giving auditions.[72] Bhawana Somaaya has called him "one of the best three dancers of the Hindi film industry".[73] Director Samir Tewari called him "the most underrated and un-utilised actor."[74] Boman Irani also feels the same and called him a "natural and unique performer".[75]

Work and accolades

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Warsi won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role in 2007. He has been awarded the Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role twice (in 2004 and 2007).

References

  1. ↑ The success story of the circuit of Bollywood: Arshad Warsi. The GenX Times(9 April 2017). Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  2. ↑ Holi, Arshad Warsi style. The Times of India. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  3. ↑ Arshad Warsi most underrated actor, says director – NDTV Movies. NDTVMovies.com(26 December 2013). Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  4. ↑ Arshad Warsi is a hugely underrated actor: Boman Irani. News18. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  5. ↑ I cannot find another woman like my wife: Arshad Warsi. The Times of India(10 March 2013).
  6. ↑ Arshad's half brother in financial mess, Kar, Vivek. The Times of India(20 November 2010).
  7. ↑ Circuit is charged, Kumar, Anuj. The Hindu(10 April 2013).
  8. ↑ Arshad rejects politics but will give Sanjay 'moral' support. Daily News and Analysis(1 February 2009). Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  9. ↑ On a roll: Meet Arshad Warsi – the real life hero of the rags-to-riches story. The Hindu(18 November 2003). Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 I cannot find another woman like my wife: Arshad Warsi. The Times of India(10 March 2013). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  11. ↑ I want to make my own films: Arshad. The Times of India(10 February 2010). Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  12. ↑ Personal agenda: Arshad Warsi. Hindustan Times(6 February 2010). Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 How To Break The Circuit. Tehelka({Template:Date).
  14. ↑ Template:YouTube
  15. ↑ Lost and frowned. Rediff.com(8 May 1999). Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  16. ↑ I have faced humiliation in the industry: Madhur Bhandarkar. The Times of India(17 September 2012). Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  17. ↑ Goons are normal too!. Rediff.com(14 November 2003). Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  18. ↑ Eena Meena Deeka: The Story of Hindi Film Comedy{{#if:Narwekar|, Narwekar}. Rupa Publications(12 December 2012). ISBN 978-81-291-2625-2
  19. ↑ Bless You Bollywood!: A tribute to Hindi Cinema on completing 100 years{{#if:Rishi|, Rishi}. Trafford Publishing(5 June 2012). ISBN 978-1-4669-3962-2
  20. ↑ Failure of Munnabhai MBBS would have ended my career: Arshad. The Tribune(28 June 2011). Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  21. ↑ I did some horrible films before. Rediff.com(13 April 2005). Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  22. ↑ Seher does Arshad Warsi justice. Rediff.com(29 July 2005). Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  23. ↑ On & Behind the Indian Cinema{{#if:Bajaj|, Bajaj}. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd(26 March 2014). ISBN 978-93-5083-621-7
  24. ↑ India and Australia: Bridging Different Worlds{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Readworthy(2011). ISBN 978-93-5018-080-8
  25. ↑ Vaah! Copy ho to aisi!(23 December 2005). Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  26. ↑ Anthony Kaun Hai? Watch it for Arshad(4 August 2006). Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  27. ↑ Film Sequels: Theory and Practice from Hollywood to Bollywood{{#if:Jess-Cooke|, Jess-Cooke}. Edinburgh University Press(2 February 2009). ISBN 978-0-7486-3133-9
  28. ↑ The Friday Circuit!. The Hindu(3 November 2006). Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  29. ↑ Warsi is in hot 'circuit'. The Hindu(5 August 2006). Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  30. ↑ The Multiplex in India: A Cultural Economy of Urban Leisure{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Taylor & Francis(17 December 2009). ISBN 978-1-135-18187-1
  31. ↑ Kabul Express: Flawed, but thought-provoking(15 December 2006). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  32. ↑ Consumer India: Inside the Indian Mind and Wallet{{#if:Sinha|, Sinha}. John Wiley & Sons(14 February 2011). ISBN 978-0-470-82632-4
  33. ↑ Masand's Verdict: Krazzy 4. CNN-IBN(12 April 2008). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  34. ↑ Refund, please -- Krazzy 4. The Hindu(18 April 2008). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  35. ↑ For Arshad Warsi fans only(2 May 2008). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  36. ↑ Movie Review: Golmaal Returns. Outlook({Template:Date).
  37. ↑ Shortkut, remake of a Malayalam film, seems more inspired by Bowfinger. Mid-Day(7 July 2009). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  38. ↑ The Asian Cinema Experience: Styles, Spaces, Theory{{#if:Teo|, Teo}. Routledge(7 May 2013). ISBN 978-1-136-29608-6
  39. ↑ Bollybook: The Big Book of Hindi Movie Trivia{{#if:Chaudhuri|, Chaudhuri}. Penguin Books Limited(12 September 2014). ISBN 978-93-5118-799-8
  40. ↑ Hum Tum Aur Ghost. Mint(26 March 2010). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  41. ↑ Arshad Warsi: I am a bad producer(1 February 2013). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  42. ↑ Bollywood's dismal show at the box office(29 March 2010). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  43. ↑ Golmaal 3 beats Action Replayy at the box office(8 November 2010). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  44. ↑ Third time the harm!(5 November 2010). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  45. ↑ Review: Not a FALTU idea after all(1 April 2011). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  46. ↑ Review: Double Dhamaal, but half the gags(24 June 2011). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  47. ↑ 'Ajab Gazabb Love' Review: It's not so lovable. CNN-IBN(27 October 2012). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  48. ↑ Zila Ghaziabad review: Tries hard to be 'Dabangg 3'. CNN-IBN(22 February 2013). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  49. ↑ Arshad Warsi is back with 'Jolly' maker. Deccan Chronicle(2 December 2013). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  50. ↑ Review: Jolly LLB is too predictable to be fun(15 March 2013). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  51. ↑ Winners of Big Star Entertainment Awards 2013. Bollywood Hungama(19 December 2013). Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  52. ↑ Complete list of winners at IIFA 2014(27 April 2014). Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  53. ↑ Nominations for 9th Renault Star Guild Awards. Bollywood Hungama(15 January 2014). Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  54. ↑ Movie review: watch Mr Joe B Carvalho for Vijay Raaz, Arshad Warsi. Hindustan Times(3 January 2014). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  55. ↑ Sholay 3D outshines Mr Joe B Carvalho at box office. Hindustan Times(6 January 2014). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  56. ↑ Movie review: Many things to enjoy in Dedh Ishqiya, writes Anupama Chopra. Hindustan Times(11 January 2014). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  57. ↑ I am fine and under observation, tweets Arshad Warsi after injury. Mid-Day(31 January 2014). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  58. ↑ 'Welcome To Karachi' – Movie Review. Mid-Day(29 May 2015). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  59. ↑ Welcome To Karachi review: It's illogical but funny. Hindustan Times(29 May 2015). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  60. ↑ 10 Last Films of Bollywood's Noted Directors(21 November 2014). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  61. ↑ Arshad Warsi joins the cast of Akshay Kumar and Kriti Sanon starrer 'Bachchan Pandey' – Times of India. The Times of India(28 November 2020). Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  62. ↑ Arshad Warsi approached to judge dance show. Daily News and Analysis(17 March 2013). Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  63. ↑ Karisma's TV incarnation. The Hindu(7 October 2002). Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  64. ↑ Pepsi Gold Sabsey Favourite Kaun?. Bollywood Hungama(23 April 2004). Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  65. ↑ Indian Television Academy Awards 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  66. ↑ Disney Channel brings actor Arshad Warsi on its popular tween show Ishaan. Business Standard(1 July 2010). Retrieved 28 May 2015. (press release)
  67. ↑ Meet the gymnast: uddhab das Interview. Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  68. ↑ Interim Order in the matter of Stock Recommendations using YouTube in the scrip of Sadhna Broadcast Limited. SEBI. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  69. ↑ Arshad Warsi: I'm a better serious actor than a comic actor. The Times of India(17 May 2015). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  70. ↑ Meet Bollywood's biker boys, Arshad Warsi and Sanjay Gupta. Hindustan Times(10 May 2015). Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  71. ↑ Hero Vol.2{{#if:Raj|, Raj}. Hay House, Inc(1 November 2009). ISBN 978-93-81398-03-6
  72. ↑ Acting Smart: Your Ticket to Showbiz{{#if:Chopra|, Chopra}. HarperCollins Publishers India(8 April 2014). ISBN 978-93-5136-204-3
  73. ↑ Taliking Cinema: Conversations with Actors and Film-makers{{#if:Somaaya|, Somaaya}. HarperCollins Publishers India(19 July 2013). ISBN 978-93-5029-646-2
  74. ↑ Arshad most underrated, unutilised actor: Samir Tewari(26 December 2013). Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  75. ↑ Arshad Warsi is a hugely underrated actor: Boman Irani(12 March 2013). Retrieved 26 May 2015.

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