Vijay Raaz (born 5 June 1963) is an Indian actor, film director and narrator, who predominantly appears in Hindi films. He debuted with Bhopal Express (1999) and since worked in more than 90 films. His breakthrough came when he played the role of Dubeyji in the movie Monsoon Wedding in 2001.[1] Raaz garnered recognition for his comedic role in Run (2004) and Dhamaal (2007). He is noted for playing gangster roles in Delhi Belly (2011) and Dedh Ishqiya (2014) as well as other notable films include Stree (2018), Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy (2019), Lootcase (2020), Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). In 2014, he debuted as a director with Kya Dilli Kya Lahore.[2] His gruff baritone voice has been used in voice-over work, including films and commercials.
Vijay Raaz | |
|---|---|
 Raaz in 2019 | |
| Born | 5 June 1963 |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Spouse | Krishna Raaz |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and career
editRaaz was born in Delhi[3] on 5 June 1963. During his studies at P.G.D.A.V. College, University of Delhi, he was a part of the dramatic society. He decided to focus on film career and moved to Mumbai where he gained a small but significant role in Ram Gopal Varma's Jungle. Vijay Raaz did a cameo in Jaspal Bhatti's famous series 'Flop Show' episode 1.Naseeruddin Shah had seen him perform at the NSD and recommended him to Mahesh Mathai for Bhopal Express and to Mira Nair for Monsoon Wedding.[4] After the success of Monsoon Wedding, Raaz received many roles.[5] His first mainstream film cast as the leading actor was Raghu Romeo, a box-office success where Raaz depicts the life of a confused lower-class Indian fellow.[6]
Raaz garnered recognition for his comedic role in the 2004 film Run. In 2011, he played a ruthless crime boss in Delhi Belly.
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Bhopal Express | Badru | |
| 2000 | Jungle | Deshu | |
| Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar | Raju Bhai | ||
| 2001 | Aks | Yeda Yakub | |
| Monsoon Wedding | P. K. Dubey | Nominated for Best Comedian in Zee Cine Awards | |
| 2002 | Company | Koda Singh | |
| Lal Salaam | Ghisu | ||
| Shakti: The Power | Beeja | ||
| Road | Mad wayfarer on road | ||
| 2003 | Paanch | Anish Ranjan (Nikhil's Father) | |
| Mumbai Matinee | Baba Hindustani | ||
| Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne | Chingar | ||
| Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye | Ganpat (Narrator) | ||
| Khel – No Ordinary Game | |||
| Mudda – The Issue | Lemur | ||
| 2004 | Love in Nepal | Tony | |
| Run | Ganesh | Nominated for Best Performance in a Comic Role in Screen Weekly Awards | |
| Yuva | Dablu | ||
| Aan: Men at Work | Waman | ||
| Raghu Romeo | Raghu | National Award for Best Hindi Film | |
| Prarambh - The Beginning | Bholu | ||
| Morning Raga | Mr. Shastri | English Films | |
| American Daylight | Pratap (Pat) | ||
| 2005 | Mumbai Xpress | Digamber Bavdekar | |
| Shabnam Mausi | Halima | ||
| Dansh | |||
| Deewane Huye Paagal | Car-renter (Rocky's friend) | ||
| 2007 | Fool & Final | Dinky (Munna's friend) | |
| Bombay To Goa | Dasa | ||
| Dhamaal | Dev Kumar "DK" Malik | ||
| Anwar | Master Pasha | ||
| Welcome | Fake Director | ||
| 2008 | Hari Puttar | Rajesh Kapadia | |
| Manoranjan | Subbu | ||
| Memsahab - Lost In A Mirage | |||
| Tandoori Love | Rajah | ||
| 2009 | Delhi 6 | Inspector Ranvijay | |
| Dekh Bhai Dekh | Charan | ||
| Barah Aana | Yadav | ||
| Ek Se Bure Do | |||
| Yeh Mera India | Noor | ||
| Jugaad | Murli | ||
| 2010 | No Problem | The man trying to die | |
| Ek Aadat | Natha Lal / Don | ||
| West Is West | Tanvir | ||
| 2011 | Bin Bulaye Baraati | Chetta Singh | |
| Delhi Belly | Somayajulu | ||
| Ek Tho Chance | |||
| Naam | |||
| Gali Gali Chor Hai | Chunnu Farista | ||
| 2012 | Department | Sawatya | |
| Daal Mein Kuch | |||
| Aalaap | |||
| Ata Pata Lapata | Munshiji | ||
| 2013 | Pocket Gangsters | Madhubali | |
| KQ | Don | Malayalam film | |
| 2014 | Dedh Ishqiya | Jaan Mohammad | |
| Mr Joe B. Carvalho | M.K | ||
| Kya Dilli Kya Lahore | Rehmat Ali | ||
| O Teri | Bhanwar Singh Kilol | ||
| Diltective Raj | |||
| 2015 | Kaaki Sattai | Durai | Tamil film |
| Second Hand Husband | Inspector Rakesh | ||
| Monsoon Mangoes | Prem Kumar | Malayalam Film | |
| Pocket Gangsters | Madhubali | ||
| Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat | Lallan | ||
| 2016 | Sanam Teri Kasam | Mustaqeen | |
| Santa Banta Pvt Ltd | Arvind | ||
| Gandhigiri | (Narrator) | ||
| Dishoom | Khabri Chacha (cameo) | ||
| Saat Uchakkey | Jaggi | ||
| 2018 | Kaalakaandi | ||
| Nawabzaade | Inspector Khan | ||
| Soorma | Coach Harry | ||
| Lupt | Dev | ||
| Pataakha | Shanti Bhushan Meena | ||
| Nawabzaade | Inspector Kathor Singh | ||
| Stree | Shastri | ||
| 2019 | Gully Boy | Aftab Shakir Ahmed | |
| Photograph | Tiwari | ||
| Ferrous | "The Cleaner" | ||
| Setters | Nizam | ||
| Chopsticks | Faiyaz bhai | Netflix Film | |
| Waah Zindagi | Banna | ||
| Made in Heaven (TV series) | Jauhari | Web series | |
| Dream Girl | Inspector Rajpal Kirar | ||
| Officer Arjun Singh IPS Batch 2000 | Kundan | ||
| Kanpuriye | Lampat Harami | Hotstar Specials Film | |
| Odd Couple | Yogesh Pant | ||
| Bala | Hair (Narrator) | ||
| 2020 | Gulabo Sitabo | Gyanesh Shukla | Released on Amazon Prime Video |
| Lootcase | Bala Rathore | Hotstar Film | |
| PariWar | Gangaram | Arre Web series[7] | |
| Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari | Chinmay Godbole | ||
| 2021 | Sherni | Hassan Noorani | Released on Amazon Prime Video[8] |
| Toofaan | Jafar Bhai | Special appearance Released on Amazon Prime Video | |
| Kya Meri Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai? | Sanjeev Nagraj | Released on ZEE5 | |
| Pagli Shaadi Go Dadi | Vikas | ||
| 2022 | Gangubai Kathiawadi | Razia Bai | [9] |
| 36 Farmhouse | Raunak Singh | Released on ZEE5 | |
| Janhit Mein Jaari | Keval Parjapati | ||
| Shabaash Mithu | Sampath Sir | [10] | |
| Vikram Vedha | Narrator (Trailer) | ||
| Odd Couple | Yogesh Pant | Amazon Prime Video | |
| 2023 | Kathal | MLA Munnalal Pateria | Netflix film |
| Dream Girl 2 | Sona Bhai | ||
| Aankh Micholi | Bhatti | ||
| 2024 | Showtime | Saajan Morarka | Disney+Hotstar |
| Murder In Mahim | Shivajirao Jende | JioCinema | |
| Kartam Bhugtam | |||
| Chandu Champion | Tiger Ali Singh | ||
| JNU: Jahangir National University | Ravindra Tokash | [11] | |
| Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video | Police officer Laadle | ||
| Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 | Raja Saab |
References
edit- ^ Interview with Vijay Raaz Archived 13 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "'Kya Dilli Kya Lahore' review: Vijay Raaz's directorial debut isn't perfect, but watchable". News18. 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- ^ "'Kya Dilli Kya Lahore' is a very emotional film: Vijay Raaz". The Indian Express. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "'Naseersaab recommended me for Monsoon Wedding'". Rediff. Archived from the original on 27 August 2003. Retrieved 18 December 2001.
- ^ "A commoner in tinsel town". The Hindu. 13 June 2004. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- ^ "MAMI awards: Raghu Romeo is best film". The Times of India. 28 November 2003. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Upcoming Web Series: जबरदस्त एक्टर्स ने मिलकर बनाया 'परिवार', हॉटस्टार पर होगा कॉमेडी का 'वॉर'". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). 21 September 2020. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Vidya Balan starrer Sherni to premiere on Amazon Prime Video in June 2021". Bollywood Hungama. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi to release on January 6, 2022". Bollywood Hungama. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ^ "Shabaash Mithu new poster: Taapsee Pannu stuns as Mithali Raj, release date revealed". Firstpost. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ "JNU: Jahangir National University Movie (2024): Cast, Trailer, OTT, Songs, Release Date, Urvashi Rautela, Siddharth Bodke | Exclusive 2024 - Gheun Taak". Gheun Taak. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.