Zakir Hussain (actor)

Zakir Hussain is an Indian film actor who is known for his negative and comic roles. His best-known performances include those of Rashid in Ramgopal Varma's 2005 film Sarkar (an adaptation of The Godfather), 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. 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.

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

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.

Hussain is also a talented musician – a percussionist as well as singer. However, he is not to be confused with the famous tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain (born 1951), who starred in the film Heat and Dust.

Filmography

 * Ek Hasina Thi (2004) as Sanjeev Nanda
 * Kala Juma (2004) as Nand Kumar Chougale
 * Vaastu Shastra (2004) as Dinesh Dubey
 * D (2005) A. S. Baban
 * Sarkar (2005) as Rashid
 * James (2005) as Shankar Narayan
 * Shiva (2006) as Inspector Sawant
 * Darna Zaroori Hai as Police Officer
 * The Killer (2006) as Jabbar
 * Darwaza Bandh Rakho (2006) as Abbas
 * Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante (2006) as Kabir
 * Black Friday (2007) as Inspector Nand Kumar Chougale
 * Risk (2007) as SP Naidu
 * Fool n Final (2007) as J.D.
 * Darling (2007)
 * Johnny Gaddaar (2007) as Shardul
 * Shabri (2008)
 * Krazzy 4 (2008) as DCP Shrivastav
 * Contract (2008) as Sultan
 * Phoonk (2008) as Manja
 * Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam (2008) as Show Director Dubey
 * Khallballi (2008)
 * Bad Luck Govind (2009) as Kripalani
 * Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) as Sajid Don
 * Radio (2009)
 * Banda Yeh Bindas Hai (2010)
 * Payback (2010) as Raghu
 * Phoonk 2 (2010) as Manja
 * Allah Ke Banday (2010)
 * Not a Love Story (2011) as Inspector
 * Double Dhamaal (2011) as Mohsin Bhai
 * Satrangee Parachute (2011) as Chhotulal
 * Shagird (2011)
 * Paan Singh Tomar (2012) as Inspector Rathore
 * Ammaa Ki Boli (2012) as Hari
 * Thuppakki (2012) as Kamarudeen
 * Chakradhaar (2012)
 * Agent Vinod (2012) as Associate in Tangier
 * Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story (2013) as Gangster don
 * Enemmy (2013) as Mukhtar Menon, the Underworld don
 * Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013) as Officer Ghorpade
 * Sixteen (2013) as Ashwin's Father
 * Maazii (2013) as Mahinder Chacha
 * Ramaiya Vastavaiya (2013) as Rao
 * Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga (2013) as Loan Inspector
 * Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014) as Alvin D'Souza
 * Chaarfutiya Chhokare (2014) as Lakkhan
 * Singham Returns (2014) as Prakash Rao
 * Meinu Ek Ladki Chaahiye (2014)
 * Alone (2015) as Professor Sanjana inside Twin Spirit
 * Badlapur (2015) as Patil
 * Four Pillars of Basement as DSP (2015)
 * Mogali Puvvu / Secret (TBA)
 * Jadoogadu (2015) Telugu Film
 * Irudhi Suttru (2016) Tamil Film
 * Saala Khadoos (2016)
 * Coffee with D (2017)
 * Raees (2017)
 * Guru (2017) as Dev Khatri
 * Naam Shabana as RAW agent Gupta (2017)
 * Shivalinga (2017) Tamil film
 * Judwaa 2 (2017)
 * Genius (2018)
 * Andhadhun (2018)
 * Simmba (2018) as Mr Khanna
 * Game Paisa Ladki (2018)
 * Prassthanam (2019) as Mazid
 * Kissebaaz (2019)
 * Ferrous (2019) as Minister Madhyadheesh
 * One Day: Justice Delivered (2019)
 * Chicken Curry Law (2019)
 * Angrezi Medium (2020) as Judge Chedda
 * Khaali Peeli (2020) as Inspector Tavde

Television

 * Dishayen (2001–2003) as Inspector
 * Yudh as Anand Upadhyay (Yudh’s college friend, companion, advisor and COO of Shanti Group)
 * Darr Sabko Lagta Hai (episode seven)
 * ''Upanishad Ganga'
 * Vedvyas Ke Pote
 * Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare
 * Beechwale - Bapu Dekh Raha Hai