Zakir Hussain (actor)

Early life and background

Zakir Hussain was born and brought up in Jani Khurd, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. It was during his studies in Delhi that he first got attracted to the world of theatre and cinema. He started out with "small time" theatre, and then joined the Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts. He then joined the prestigious National School of Drama and graduated in 1993.

Career

Hussain did theatre for a few years and then came to Mumbai to work in television and films. He started out with serials like Firdaus, Kitty Party and Gaatha, and this earned him recognition. Sriram Raghavan's 2004 film Ek Hasina Thi was his first film as actor. Hussain's role in the film was limited to two scenes, but he managed to impress director Ramgopal Varma, who then offered him the role of Rashid in Sarkar. This role of a cold-blooded villain was much appreciated and Hussain received the "New Menace" award at the 2006 Stardust Film Awards.

After Sarkar, Varma cast Hussain in almost every production of his. Hussain's second noteworthy performance was his role of Shardul in another Raghavan film – Johnny Gaddaar. This performance was so well received by audiences that people on the streets started addressing Hussain as Shardul. This was the film that brought him both decent pay cheques as well as fame.

Hussain is also a talented musician – a percussionist as well as singer. However, he is not to be confused with the famous tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain (1951-2024), who starred in the film Heat and Dust.

Filmography

Films

Television

Web series

References

References

1. "Next Big Thing: Zakir Hussain, an actor and a gentleman".
2. (14 November 2006). "Zakir, the Menace". The Times of India.
3. "Spam Check".
4. (29 May 2025). "Bhool Chuk Maaf box office: Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi-starrer crosses Rs 40 crore". Cinema Express.
5. Negi, Shrishti. (5 August 2025). "Dhadak 2 Box Office Collection Day 4: Karan Johar's Film Struggles Amid Saiyaara Craze". News18.
6. (27 August 2025). "'Diesel' TEASER out now: Harish Kalyan starrer promises action, romance, and twists, locks in Diwali release date". timesofindia.
7. (15 August 2025). "Paresh Rawal's The Taj Story gets release date". The New Indian Express.
8. "Human Cocaine Movie Review: A Dark Ride That Promises More Than It Delivers". The Times of India.
9. (9 September 2023). "Welcome to the Jungle promo: Akshay Kumar leads all-star cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon". The Indian Express.
10. Seta, Fenil. (19 January 2026). "Anees Bazmee CONFIRMS casting of his next film: "It stars Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Raashii Khanna, Vijay Raaz…"; CLARIFIES on Sankranthiki Vasthunam remake rumours". [[Bollywood Hungama]].
11. (20 November 2015). "Actor Zakir Hussain's real-life scary moment". The Indian Express.
12. (20 June 2019). "Web series 'Bombers' explores the story of a Bengali football team fighting death and oblivion". Scroll.in.
13. (17 June 2019). "ZEE5 to premiere sports drama series 'Bombers' on 22 June".
14. "Review of ZEE5's Bombers: A stirring tale of guts, gumption and glory, set in the fertile fields of football".
15. (25 December 2020). "Sandwiched Forever Review: Kunaal and Aahana show is a feel-good Christmas watch". India Today.
16. (21 April 2021). "Kathmandu Connection Season 1 Review : A well-attempted cop thriller inspired by real-life events". India Time.
17. (11 August 2022). "Gulshan Devaiah and Drashti Dhami talk about their ZEE5 show Duranga". Hindustan Times.
18. (9 November 2022). "Breathe: Into The Shadows Season 2 Review : Slick, intense, and has good performances but also suffers from loopholes". The Times of India.
19. (18 May 2023). "Inspector Avinash Season 1 Review : Randeep Hooda delivers a stellar performance in this gripping and authentic crime thriller". The Times of India.
20. Mukherjee, Anindita. (20 August 2024). "Watch: Kay Kay Menon is a fierce gangster in 'Murshid' trailer".