Zakir Hussain (actor)

Zakir Hussain
Born
Zakir Hussain

EducationNational School of Drama
OccupationActor
Years active1997–present
Spouse
Sarita Hussain
​
(m. 1994)​

Zakir Hussain is an Indian actor who primarily appears in Hindi films. He is known for his negative and comic roles. His best-known performances include those of Rashid in Ramgopal Varma's 2005 film Sarkar, Shardul in Sriram Raghavan's 2007 film Johnny Gaddaar and Prakash Rao in Rohit Shetty's Singham Returns.

Early life and background

Zakir Hussain was born and brought up in Jani Khurd, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.[1] 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.[2]

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.[2] 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.[1] This role of a cold-blooded villain was much appreciated and Hussain received the "New Menace" award at the 2006 Stardust Film Awards.[3]

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.[1]

Hussain is also a talented musician – a percussionist as well as singer.[1] 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

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2004Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten HeroShaukat Malik
Ek Hasina ThiSanjeev Nanda
Kala JumaNand Kumar Chougale
Vaastu ShastraDinesh Dubey
2005DA. S. Baban
SarkarRashid
JamesShankar Narayan
2006ShivaInspector Sawant
Darna Zaroori HaiPolice OfficerStory segment: A Bride's Revenge
The KillerJabbar
Darwaza Bandh RakhoAbbas
Deadline: Sirf 24 GhanteKabir
2007Black FridayInspector Nand Kumar Chougale
RiskSP Naidu
Fool n FinalJ.D.
LeeRangabashyamTamil film
DarlingSameer Naghani
Johnny GaddaarShardul
2008ShabriInspector Irfan Qazi
Krazzy 4DCP Shrivastav
ContractSultan
PhoonkManja
Maan Gaye Mughal-e-AzamShow Director Dubey
Khallballi
2009Bad Luck GovindKripalani
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab KahaniSajid Don
RadioShanaya's Dad
2010Banda Yeh Bindaas HaiJaved Quadri
PaybackRaghu
Phoonk 2Manja
Allah Ke BandayRamesh
2011Not a Love StoryInspector
Double DhamaalMohsin Bhai
Satrangee ParachuteChhotulal
ShagirdRajmani Yadav
2012Paan Singh TomarInspector Rathore
Ammaa Ki BoliHari
ThuppakkiKamarudeenTamil film
Chakradhaar
Agent VinodAssociate in Tangier
2013Jayantabhai Ki Luv StoryGangster don
EnemmyMukhtar Menon, the Underworld don
Phata Poster Nikhla HeroOfficer Ghorpade
SixteenAshwin's Father
MaaziiMahinder Chacha
Ramaiya VastavaiyaRao
Saare Jahaan Se MehngaLoan Inspector
2014Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off DutyAlvin D'Souza
Chaarfutiya ChhokareLakkhan
Singham ReturnsPrakash Rao
Meinu Ek Ladki Chaahiye
2015AloneProfessor Sanjana inside Twin Spirit
BadlapurPatil
Four Pillars of BasementDSP
Mogali Puvvu / Secret
JadoogaduSrisailamTelugu Film
2016Irudhi SuttruDev KhatriTamil Film
Saala KhadoosDev Khatri
2017Coffee with DD
Raees
GuruDev KhatriTelugu Film
Naam ShabanaRAW agent Gupta
ShivalingaPigeon Race OrganiserTamil film
Boyz Fernandez Sir Marathi film
Judwaa 2Charles
2018NawabzaadeSheetal's father
GeniusMinister
AndhadhunDr. Krishna Swami
SimmbaMr. Khanna
Game Paisa Ladki
2019PrassthanamMazid
KissebaazKripa Shankar Pandey
FerrousMinister Madhyadheesh
One Day: Justice DeliveredMP Pravin Rawat
Chicken Curry LawSharad Joshi
PagalpantiTulli Seth
2020Angrezi MediumJudge Chedda
Khaali PeeliInspector Tavde
2021The PowerAnwar
FlightRaman Khanna
Satyameva Jayate 2Shankar Prasad Yadav
2022Heropanti 2Azaad Khan
2023Mission MajnuSharma
Tiku Weds SheruAhmed Rizvi
2024Indian 2Darshan BhaiTamil film
DevaraCentral MinisterTelugu film
Baby JohnBaldev Patil
2025Bhool Chuk MaafBrijmohan Mishra[4]
Dhadak 2Principal Haider Ansari[5]
DieselRudraksha BhatiaTamil film[6]
The Taj StoryAdv. Anwar Rashid[7]
2026 Human Cocaine Dino [8]
Bhooth Bangla Vashisht Sharma
Kartavya Harihar Malik Netflix film
Welcome to the Jungle Sinha [9]
TBA Untitled film † Filming[10]

Television

YearTitleRolePlatformNotes
1998X ZoneInspectorSony TVEpisode 96
2001DishayenDoordarshan
2012Upnishad GangaMultiple Roles
2014YudhAnand UpadhyaySony TV
2015Darr Sabko Lagta Hai& TVEpisode 11[11]
1997Vedvyas Ke PoteNarrator(Sutradhaar)Doordarshan
2018Beechwale - Bapu Dekh Raha HaiBobby BeechwalaSony TVMain cast

Web series

YearTitleRolePlatformNotes
2018-2021Chacha Vidhayak Hain HumareRajesh PathakAmazon Prime
2019BombersSomu DaZEE5[12][13][14]
2020Sandwiched ForeverGiriraj ShastrySonyLIV[15]
2021Kathmandu ConnectionMr. Mirza[16]
AranyakKuber ManhasNetflix
2022-2023DurangaBala BanneZEE5
2023FarziFinance Minister Pawan GehlotAmazon Prime[17]
2022 Breathe: Into the Shadows 2ACP Abhinandan Kaul[18]
2023Pop Kaun?MallikDisney+ Hotstar
Inspector AvinashDGP Samar Pratap SinghJioCinema[19]
2024MurshidFaridZEE5[20]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Next Big Thing: Zakir Hussain, an actor and a gentleman". Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 Misra, Shree (14 November 2006). "Zakir, the Menace". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "Spam Check". www.bollywoodsargam.com. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  4. ↑ "Bhool Chuk Maaf box office: Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi-starrer crosses Rs 40 crore". Cinema Express. 29 May 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Negi, Shrishti (5 August 2025). "Dhadak 2 Box Office Collection Day 4: Karan Johar's Film Struggles Amid Saiyaara Craze". News18. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "'Diesel' TEASER out now: Harish Kalyan starrer promises action, romance, and twists, locks in Diwali release date". timesofindia. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Paresh Rawal's The Taj Story gets release date". The New Indian Express. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "Human Cocaine Movie Review: A Dark Ride That Promises More Than It Delivers". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "Welcome to the Jungle promo: Akshay Kumar leads all-star cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Disha Patani, Raveena Tandon". The Indian Express. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  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. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "Actor Zakir Hussain's real-life scary moment". The Indian Express. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  12. ↑ Ghosh, Devarsi (20 June 2019). "Web series 'Bombers' explores the story of a Bengali football team fighting death and oblivion". Scroll.in. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  13. ↑ "ZEE5 to premiere sports drama series 'Bombers' on 22 June". TelevisionPost. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  14. ↑ "Review of ZEE5's Bombers: A stirring tale of guts, gumption and glory, set in the fertile fields of football". in.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  15. ↑ Keshri, Shweta (25 December 2020). "Sandwiched Forever Review: Kunaal and Aahana show is a feel-good Christmas watch". India Today. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  16. ↑ Khurana, Anchika (21 April 2021). "Kathmandu Connection Season 1 Review : A well-attempted cop thriller inspired by real-life events". India Time. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  17. ↑ "Gulshan Devaiah and Drashti Dhami talk about their ZEE5 show Duranga". Hindustan Times. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  18. ↑ Roy, Dhaval (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. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  19. ↑ Srivastava, Abhishek (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. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  20. ↑ Mukherjee, Anindita (20 August 2024). "Watch: Kay Kay Menon is a fierce gangster in 'Murshid' trailer". India Today. Retrieved 22 August 2024.

Further reading