Muhammad Irfan Mohamed Zaini (born 5 June 1995) is a Malaysian Indian actor, model and television host.[1]
Life and career
His father runs a food and beverage business, and his mother is a housewife. As a child, Irfan visited the sets of Kuruvi (2008) whilst the film crew was shooting in Malaysia and landed a role as the brother of Trisha's character. He returned to studies based on his parents' advice and completed his bachelor's degree in International Business and Marketing. In October 2020, he started his own cosmetic company IZ Cosmetic, which focuses on hair oil for hair loss.[2]
In 2024, he returned to Indian Tamil cinema with The Greatest of All Time.[3] He received nationwide acclaim for his role in Blood Brothers (2025), which he described as a playboy amongst the gangsters that provides comic relief.[4][5][6] For a scene in the film, Irfan was repeatedly hit 38 times as director Syafiq Yusof wanted to perfect the scene.[6] Regarding his role in the film Macai, a critic noted that he looked "particularly cool from beginning to end".[7] Irfan starred in Jana Nayagan (2026), after Vijay gave him information on how to audition.[8]
Partial filmography
- NoteTemplate:Efn
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Kuruvi | Devi's brother | Tamil | Uncredited role[9] |
| 2014 | Thirudathey Papa Thirudathey | |||
| 2019 | Pulanaivu | Ravinder Singh | ||
| 2020 | Showtime 1958 | David | Malay | |
| 2022 | Template:Ill | Tamil | ||
| Hantu Balik Pagi | Kumar | Malay | Telefilm | |
| Dum Dum Dumeel | Thinesh | Tamil | ||
| 2023 | Polis EVO 3 | Irfan Zain | Malay | Cameo |
| Rajathathiram: The Piano | Gajen | Tamil | ||
| Naam Katra Isai | Naqeed | |||
| 2024 | The Greatest of All Time | Johnson | [2] | |
| C4 Cinta | Engagement guest | Cameo | ||
| 2025 | Bad Days Don't Last | Short film[10] | ||
| Blood Brothers | Malik | Malay | [11] | |
| Template:Ill | Jack | |||
| Irudhi Strike | Naqeed | Tamil | ||
| 2026 | Jana Nayagan | Salman | Delayed | |
| Irumbuth Thottam (Ladang Besi) | Rahim |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Smart Wheel | Host | Astro Vinmeen | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Mente | Rakesh | Tamil | [12] | |
| 2022 | Astra | ||||
| Magarantham | |||||
| 2023 | Template:Ill | Zafar Khan | Astro Ria | Malay | |
| Manmadha Bullets | Astro Vinmeen | Tamil | Season 2 | ||
| Andai Itu Takdirnya | Jay | Astro Ria | Malay | ||
| 2024 | Miss Rasathi | Astro Vinmeen | Tamil | ||
| Takdir Itu Milik Aku | Alando | Astro Ria | Malay | ||
| Mei | Deva | Mediacorp Vasantham | Tamil | ||
| Template:Ill | Inspector Shariff | Viu | Malay | 1 episode | |
| 2025 | One Cent Thief 2 | Mohan | Astro Citra | ||
| Template:Ill | Megat Borhan |
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Template:Refh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Raaga.com Malaysian Star of the Month (May) | Template:N/a | Template:N/a | Template:N/a | [13] |
| 2024 | MICA Awards | Best Actor | Dum Dum Dumeel | Template:Nom | [14] |
| Best Villain | Naam Katra Isai | Template:Won | [15] | ||
| 2026 | Desam International Icon Awards (DIIA) | Best Actor | Template:Won |
Notes
References
- ↑ Irfan Zaini aims to bridge Malaysian, global film industries, Daily, Sinar. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 When Kollywood beckons, S., Bissme(31 March 2021). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ↑ #SHOWBIZ: Irfan starstuck by 'Thalapathy' Vijay(11 September 2024). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ↑ #SHOWBIZ: Irfan Zaini shocked after obsessed fan injures another posing with him(19 June 2025). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ↑ Local Indian film star Irfan Zaini is now basking in the limelight after impressive display in local runaway hit 'Blood Brothers: Bara Naga', Navalan, S.(7 May 2025). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 #SHOWBIZ: Irfan Zaini: I took 38 'bashings' to perfect a scene(24 April 2025). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ↑ Film Review: Macai (2025) by Sun-J Perumal, Kotzathanasis, Panos. Asian Movie Pulse(2 February 2025). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ↑ #SHOWBIZ: Irfan to star with 'Thalapathy' Vijay in Tamil movie(3 July 2025). Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ↑ 'Acting Alongside Thalapathy Vijay Inspired Me to Become an Actor': Irfan Zaini Recalls(23 June 2021). Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ↑ Bad Days Don't Last - A Thrilling Short Film Premieres on January 10th, 2025, Ananth, Tivyasruthi Nair Prem(January 7, 2025).
- ↑ Blood Brothers smashes box office, Irfan's biggest role yet. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ↑ Template:Cite AV media
- ↑ Template:Cite AV media
- ↑ Facebook. www.facebook.com.
- ↑ Irfan Zaini makes mark with a role in upcoming movie "GOAT" - Citizens Journal(August 19, 2024).