Arshad Warsi

Arshad Warsi (Hindi: अरशद वारसी, born 19 April 1968) is an Indian actor who debuted in 1996 with the film Tere Mere Sapne which was a success but he is best known for his role as "Circuit" in the comedy films Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) and his role as Babban in Ishqiya (2010) which won him acclaim.
Early life and education
Warsi was born in Mumbai, India, and did his schooling at a boarding school, Barnes School, Deolali in Nashik district, Maharashtra. He was orphaned at the age of 14 and struggled for a living in Mumbai during his early days.
Early career
Financial circumstances forced Warsi to start work as a door-to-door cosmetics salesman at age 17. Later he worked in a photo lab. Meanwhile he had a keen interest in dancing and received an offer to join Akbar Sami's Dance group in Mumbai, which started his dancing and choreographing career. He also assisted Mahesh Bhatt in Thikana (1987) and Kaash (1987).

Then in 1991, he won the Indian dance competition, followed by the fourth prize in the Modern Jazz category in 1992 World Dance championship, London, at the age of 21. Soon, he started his own dance studio, 'Awesome' with that money and also formed a dance troupe. It was here, his future wife, Maria Goretti, a St. Andrews College student joined him, before she became a VJ. He was also associated with English theater group in Mumbai, choreographing shows for Bharat Dabholkar and got an opportunity to choreograph the title track for the film, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993).
Film career
He got his first offer to act in Amitabh Bachchan's production company, ABCL's first production Tere Mere Sapne in 1996. After its success, he acted in several other films over the next six years, but most of which failed to do well at the box office, till 2003, when he starred in the comedy film Munnabhai MBBS, which turned to be a huge box office success and gained him much critical acclaim and a nomination at the Filmfare Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting role. He has since appeared in several successful films such as Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005), Salaam Namaste (2005) Golmaal, Kabul Express, Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006), the sequel to Munnabhai MBBS which also won him his first Filmfare Award under the category of Best Comedian. He also starred in hit films like Dhamaal (2007), Golmaal Returns (2008), and Ishqiya (2010).
His first film as a producer, Hum Tum Aur Ghost was released in 2010.

Warsi is starring opposite Sanjay Dutt in Munnabhai Chale Amerika, the third sequel to the much acclaimed Munnabhai MBBS (2003).

Television career

Warsi has made a mark for himself on the small screen as well. He hosted a popular award show Sabse Favourite Kaun for STAR Gold. He was the host of Bigg Boss, Season 1, the Indian version of the reality television series Big Brother which was aired on Sony. He was also the co-host of a dance show Razzmatazz on Zee TV
Personal life
Warsi married Maria Goretti on 14 February 1999.[5] They have a son named Zeke Warsi, born on 10 August 2004. Both Maria and Zeke made a special appearance in Salaam Namaste. On 2 May 2007, the couple had a baby girl named Zene Zoe Warsi.[6] During his school days, Warsi was a national level gymnast.[7]

Awards
2007: Filmfare Best Comedian Award - Lage Raho Munna Bhai
2007: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role - Lage Raho Munna Bhai
2005: GIFA Best Comedian Award - Hulchul

Filmography

Actor
Year Film Role Other Notes
1996 Tere Mere Sapne Ballu
1997 Betaabi Vicky/Chetan
1998 Mere Do Anmol Ratan Narinder (Naren)
Hero Hindustani Romi
1998 Hogi Pyar Ki Jeet Kishan
Trishakati Sagar Malhotra
2000 Ghaath Divakar Cameo
2001 Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao Rocky
Jeetenge Hum
2002 Jaani Dushman Abdul
2003 Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II Punit Sanyal
Munnabhai M.B.B.S. Circuit Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
2004 Hulchul Lucky
2005 Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye Manager S.R. Khan
Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya Vicky
Sehar SSP Ajay Kumar
Salaam Namaste Ranjan 'Ron' Mathur Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Chocolate Tubby
Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi Fakira B.P.C.M. Special Appearance
2006 Golmaal Madhav Singh 'Madhu' Ghai
Lage Raho Munnabhai Circuit Winner, Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Chocolate Chip
Kabul Express Jai Kapoor (TV journalist - cinematographer)
Anthony Kaun Hai Champ
2007 Dhamaal Adi
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal Shaan Ali Khan
2008 Sunday Ballu
Krazzy 4 Raja
Mr. White Mr. Black Kishan
Golmaal Returns ACP Madhav Singh Ghai
2009 Kisse Pyaar Karoon Siddharth (Sid)
Ek Se Bure Do Toti
Shortcut: The Con is on Raju
Zamaanat Suraj Delayed
2010 Ishqiya Babban
Hum Tum Aur Ghost Armaan
Munnabhai Chale Amerika Circuit Releasing on 27 August 2010
Golmaal 3 Madhav Filming

Producer
Hum Tum Aur Ghost (2010)

Playback Singer
2006 - Lage Raho Munnabhai
2004 - Munnabhai M.B.B.S.