Anirudh Pisharody
Anirudh Pisharody | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 2, 1994 India |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (B.S.) |
| Occupations | Actor, producer |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Spouse |
Jill V. Dae (m. 2023) |
Anirudh Pisharody (born February 2, 1994) is an Indian-American actor and film producer. He is best known for the role of Nirdesh "Des" in the third season of the Netflix teen comedy series Never Have I Ever. He is also known for his role as the firefighter Ravi Panikkar in the procedural drama 9-1-1.
Early life and education
Anirudh Pisharody was born in India and moved to the United States as a child. He spent much of his childhood in Austin, Texas.[1] Growing up, he developed an interest in acting and regularly participated in middle school and high school theater productions.[2] Following high school, Pisharody initially wanted to study to become a medical doctor. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health.[3]
After college, he worked briefly in a healthcare job in Washington, D.C. Afterwards, he relocated to Los Angeles in 2017 in the hopes of attending a medical school in Los Angeles. During his time in Los Angeles, he pursued acting professionally and later formalized his training by earning a certificate in film, cinema, and video studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).[3][4]
Career
Pisharody began his acting career taking on roles in short films and making guest appearances on television shows such as The Goldbergs, Last Man Standing, and SEAL Team.[5][6] He also appeared in the Rogue Warfare independent action film series and in the 2018 film Cerebrum.[7]
In addition to his television and film work, Pisharody has made appearances in several music videos. Early in his career, he was featured as a lead extra in O Fresh's "We Up to Something" featuring Slim Thug (2017)[8] and played the male love interest in Stela Cole's "Lucky Day" (2018).[8][9] He also portrayed a LARP warrior fighter in a music video for the rock band Punch Punch Kick's track "Licking My Wounds".[10] More recently, he starred as a cast member in the official music video for "Home" by Renzu Music.[8][11]
Pisharody was a member of the 2020 ABC Discovers Showcase, as one of about a dozen actors from a pool of over several thousand applicants.[12]
In 2021, Pisharody landed a recurring role in the Ryan Murphy-produced drama 9-1-1 as probationary firefighter Ravi Panikkar.[13][14][15][16][17] In 2026, fans petitioned for Pisharody to become a series regular from Season 9 onwards.[18]
In 2022, Pisharody was cast in the third season of Mindy Kaling's hit Netflix comedy Never Have I Ever. He portrayed Nirdesh "Des," an attractive rival to the main character, Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan).[19][20] His casting was notable for breaking the traditional mold of the "nerdy sidekick" often associated with male actors of South Asian descent in Hollywood.[21][22] Pisharody also appeared in the film Unit 234 in 2022.[23]
Alongside acting, Pisharody co-founded the production company Black Velvet Films with his wife, Jill V. Dae.[3]
In August 2025, Pisharody joined the cast of the comedy film Better Life, acting alongside Randall Park and Joel Kim Booster.[24] He was cast in June 2026 to star opposite Tongayi Chirisa in the time-bending thriller Chronos.[25][26][27]
Personal life
Pisharody met his wife, Hong Kong-born filmmaker and producer Jill V. Dae, in 2014 while they were both students at the University of Texas at Austin. After navigating a long-distance relationship when they graduated, Pisharody proposed at Hearst Castle in 2019.[3] Following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple married in November 2023 at the Castello Orsini-Odescalchi in Bracciano, near Rome, Italy. The wedding featured a Chinese tea ceremony, an Indian kalyanam, and a Western wedding ceremony.[3]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Totally TV | Aladdin | |
| 2019 | The Goldbergs | Guest | |
| 2020 | Last Man Standing | Guest | |
| 2021–present | 9-1-1 | Ravi Panikkar | Recurring role |
| 2022–2023 | Big Sky | Recurring role | |
| 2022 | Never Have I Ever | Nirdesh "Des" | Recurring (Season 3) |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Cerebrum | Bruno | |
| 2019 | Rogue Warfare | ||
| 2019 | Rogue Warfare: The Hunt | ||
| 2020 | Rogue Warfare: Death of a Nation | ||
| 2022 | Unit 234 | Jordan | |
| TBA | Better Life | ||
| TBA | Chronos | In production |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "We Up to Something" | O Fresh (feat. Slim Thug) | Producer |
| 2018 | "Lucky Day" | Stela Cole | Male Love Interest |
| 2024 | "Home" | Renzu Music | Male Lead |
Theater
| Year | Title | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | An Evening Repast | The Morgan-Wixson Theater |
References
- ↑ "Anirudh Pisharody is Not Your Traditional Indian Love Interest on 'Never Have I Ever'". Brown Girl Magazine. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "'Nerdy Can Be Sexy,' Says Anirudh Pisharody, The New Boy On Never Have I Ever Season 3". Elle India. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "'Never Have I Ever' Actor Anirudh Pisharody Marries Filmmaker Jill V Dae in MultiCultural Ceremony in Rome". American Kahani. December 4, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "'Nerdy Can Be Sexy,' Says Anirudh Pisharody". Elle India. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ Grobar, Matt (2022-01-20). "Anirudh Pisharody Joins 'Never Have I Ever' Season 3 As Recurring". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-08-22.
- ↑ Salamat, Sara (August 12, 2022). "A Conversation with Never Have I Ever's Anirudh Pisharody".
- ↑ Salce, Chris (April 30, 2021). "Cerebrum | Film Threat".
- 1 2 3 "Anirudh Pisharody - Resume". Actors Access. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
- ↑ Stela Cole - Lucky Day. Apple Music. August 10, 2018.
- ↑ "Home - official music video - Anirudh Pisharody, Elisabeth Montanaro, Arnav Joshi, The Nurav, ADAM". YouTube. Renzu Music.
- ↑ Licking My Wounds LARPing music video, Punch Punch Kick. YouTube.
- ↑ Kilkenny, Katie (December 2, 2020). "Annual ABC Discovers Talent Showcase Goes Virtual for First Time (Exclusive)".
- ↑ "9-1-1's Ravi actor Anirudh Pisharody on his return and background". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "'9-1-1': Anirudh Pisharody on Bobby's Death and Ravi's Journey". Decider. May 22, 202. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "9-1-1's Anirudh Pisharody Debunks Fake Ravi Death Scene Rumor". Screen Rant. 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "9-1-1 star Anirudh Pisharody talks Buck and Eddie romance, Ravi's return". Hello Magazine.
- ↑ "Anirudh Pisharody on 9-1-1". Instinct Magazine. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "9-1-1 Season 9: Why Fans Are Petitioning for More Ravi". Collider. 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Meet the new love interest of 'Never Have I Ever'". Los Angeles Times. August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Anirudh Pisharody is 'Never Have I Ever's' Newest Heartthrob". HuffPost. August 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Never Have I Ever Season 3's Sexy Brown Boy Energy: Anirudh Pisharody". Vogue India. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "The South Asian Mama's Boy: Raja Beta Syndrome". The Juggernaut. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ Hayes, Joshua M. (May 9, 2025). "Film Review: Unit 234".
- ↑ "Randall Park, Joel Kim Booster, Anirudh Pisharody & More To Star In 'Better Life'". Deadline. August 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Anirudh Pisharody & Tongayi Chirisa To Star In Thriller 'Chronos'". Deadline. June 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Anirudh Pisharody Set To Star In Greek Mythology Thriller 'Chronos'". Dread Central. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Chronos: Anirudh Pisharody and Tongayi Chirisa to headline time-bending thriller". The Times of India. June 2026. Retrieved August 21, 2026.