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.Interview with Vijay Raaz 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. His gruff baritone voice has been used in voice-over work, including films and commercials.
Early life and career
Raaz was born on 5 June 1963 in Delhi, India. During his studies at the Pannalal Girdharlal Dayanand Anglo Vedic College of the University of Delhi, he was a part of the dramatic society.
Raaz decided to focus on a film career and moved to Mumbai where he gained a small but significant role in Ram Gopal Varma's 2000 film, Jungle. He did a cameo in the episode 1 of Jaspal Bhatti's television series Flop Show. Naseeruddin Shah had seen him perform at the National School of Drama and recommended him to Mahesh Mathai for Bhopal Express and to Mira Nair for Monsoon Wedding. After the success of Monsoon Wedding, Raaz received many roles. 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.
Raaz garnered recognition for his comedic role in the 2004 film Run. Subsequently, Raaz, was seen essaying comedic roles in further films like Dhamaal, Welcome, Fool & Final and Deewane Huye Paagal. In 2011, he played a ruthless crime boss in Delhi Belly.
Filmography
Films Year Title Role Notes 1999Bhopal Express Badru 2000Jungle 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 road2003 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 Lemur2004 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 First lead role National Award for Best Hindi Film Prarambh - The Beginning Bholu Morning Raga Mr. ShastriEnglish filmAmerican DaylightPratap (Pat) Hari Om Hari Om 2005Mumbai Xpress Digamber Bavdekar Shabnam Mausi Halima Dansh Deewane Huye Paagal Babloo Pandey (Rocky's friend)2007 Fool & Final Dinky (Munna's friend) Bombay To Goa Dasa Dhamaal Dev Kumar "DK" Malik Anwar Master Pasha Welcome Fake Director2008 Hari Puttar Rajesh Kapadia Manoranjan Subbu Memsahab - Lost In A Mirage Tandoori Love Rajah2009 Delhi 6 Inspector Ranvijay Dekh Bhai Dekh Charan Barah Aana Yadav Ek Se Bure Do Yeh Mera India Noor Jugaad Murli2010 No Problem The man trying to die Ek Aadat Natha Lal / Don West Is West Tanvir2011 Bin Bulaye Baraati Chetta Singh Delhi Belly Somayajulu Ek Tho Chance Gali Gali Chor Hai Chunnu Farista 2012Department SawatyaDaal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai Aalaap Ata Pata Lapata Munshiji 2013Pocket Gangsters Madhubali KQ Don Malayalam film2014Dedh Ishqiya Jaan MohammadMr Joe B. Carvalho M.K Kya Dilli Kya Lahore Rehmat AliO Teri Bhanwar Singh KilolDiltective Raj2015Kaaki SattaiDuraiTamil filmSecond Hand HusbandInspector RakeshWelcome BackNarrator Monsoon Mangoes Prem KumarMalayalam Film Pocket GangstersMadhubaliBaankey Ki Crazy BaraatLallanHai Golmaal in White House2016Sanam Teri KasamMustaqeen Santa Banta Pvt LtdArvindGandhigiri(Narrator)DishoomKhabri Chacha (cameo)Saat UchakkeyJaggi2018KaalakaandiSoormaCoach HarryLuptDevPataakhaShanti Bhushan MeenaNawabzaadeInspector Kathor SinghStreeShastri2019Gully BoyAftab Shakir AhmedPhotographTiwariFerrous "The Cleaner" Setters NizamChopsticksFaiyaz bhaiNetflix FilmWaah Zindagi BannaMade in Heaven JauhariTV seriesDream Girl Inspector Rajpal KirarOfficer Arjun Singh IPS Batch 2000KundanKanpuriyeLampat HaramiHotstar Specials FilmBalaHair (Narrator)2020 Gulabo SitaboGyanesh Shukla Released on Amazon Prime VideoLootcaseBala Rathore Hotstar FilmPariWarGangaramArre Web seriesSuraj Pe Mangal Bhari Chinmay Godbole2021Sherni Hassan NooraniReleased on Amazon Prime VideoToofaan Jafar BhaiSpecial appearance;Released on Amazon Prime VideoKya Meri Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai? Sanjeev Nagraj Released on ZEE5Pagli Shaadi Go Dadi Vikas2022Gangubai Kathiawadi Razia Bai36 FarmhouseRaunak SinghReleased on ZEE5Janhit Mein Jaari Keval ParjapatiShabaash Mithu Sampath SirVikram VedhaNarrator (Trailer)Odd CoupleYogesh PantAmazon Prime Video2023KathalMLA Munnalal PateriaNetflix filmDream Girl 2Sona Bhai Aankh MicholiBhatti 2024ShowtimeSaajan MorarkaDisney+Hotstar Murder In MahimShivajirao JendeJioCinemaKartam BhugtamChandu ChampionTiger Ali SinghJNU: Jahangir National UniversityRavindra Tokash Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala VideoPolice officer LaadleBhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Raja Saab Naam Shyamlal2025Fateh Satya PrakashUdaipur Files Kanhaiya Lal Sahu 2026 Pati Patni Aur Woh Do Dharamveer SinghPooja Meri Jaan Filming
Television Year Title Role Notes 2003Karishma – The Miracles of Destiny Ladoo 2019Made in Heaven Ramesh Jauhari 2020A Suitable Boy Rashid's fatherPariWar Gangaram TripathiA Simple Murder Narrator 2022Abhay Mrityu 2024Maamla Legal Hai NarratorShowtime Saajan MorarkaMurder in Mahim Shivajirao Jende 2025Jamnapaar Shaukeen Bhaiya
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