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
Vijay Raaz
Raaz in 2019
Born (1963-06-05) 5 June 1963 (age 61)
Alma mater
  • P.G.D.A.V. College
  • University of Delhi
Occupations
Years active1999–present
SpouseKrishna Raaz
Children1

Early life and career

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Raaz 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

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Key
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
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
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
Naam

References

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  1. ^ Interview with Vijay Raaz Archived 13 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "'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.
  3. ^ "'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.
  4. ^ "'Naseersaab recommended me for Monsoon Wedding'". Rediff. Archived from the original on 27 August 2003. Retrieved 18 December 2001.
  5. ^ "A commoner in tinsel town". The Hindu. 13 June 2004. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Vidya Balan starrer Sherni to premiere on Amazon Prime Video in June 2021". Bollywood Hungama. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi to release on January 6, 2022". Bollywood Hungama. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Shabaash Mithu new poster: Taapsee Pannu stuns as Mithali Raj, release date revealed". Firstpost. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  11. ^ "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.
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