Shaheer Sheikh

Shaheer Sheikh (born 26 March 1984) is an Indian actor and model. He is best known for playing the warrior prince Arjun in Mahabharat, Dev Dixit in Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi and Abir Rajvansh in Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke.

Personal life
Sheikh was born on 26 March 1984, in Bhaderwah, Doda District, Jammu and Kashmir to Shahnawaz Sheikh and Dilshad Sheikh. He also has two sisters, Aleefa and Ifrah. He has completed his schooling from Hari Singh Higher Secondary School, Jammu. He has done his graduation in Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) from New Law College, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune. Sheikh owns an event management company. Sheikh met Ruchikaa Kapoor on the sets of the film Judgemental Hai Kya and after dating for almost one and a half years the duo got married on 27 November 2020 in a court wedding. Ruchikaa is also the head of Balaji Telefilms films division.

Early career
After pursuing L.L.B, he did not practice it and started his career as a photographer. Then, he went on to modelling.

Early acting career (2009–2012)
In 2009 Sheikh made his television debut in Kya Mast Hai Life, where he played Veer Mehra, a teenager who loves music and playing guitar. After second season of the show ended, Sheikh was seen in Jhansi Ki Rani as Nana Sahib, brother of Rani of Jhansi replacing Satyajeet Dubey.

In 2011, Sheikh was approached to play the lead in television show, Navya..Naye Dhadkan Naye Sawaal opposite Saumya Seth. He played Anant Bajpai, a 19-year-old college boy who looks like any other urban boy but deep down he is a traditionalist and a conformist.

Alongside Navya, Sheikh also worked in Disney Channel's show Best Of Luck Nikki in season 1 as Ritesh.

In 2012, Sheikh also appeared in the telefilm shown in Star Plus' show Teri Meri Love Stories opposite Mahhi Vij.

Breakthrough and success (2013–2015)
In 2013, he signed Swastik Productions' Mahabharat. He played Arjuna, an incredible archer, a warrior prince and the third Pandava in the series which ended in August 2014. For his performance he got lot of appreciation. For the series, he underwent several trainings including fitness, horse riding and weapon training for almost eight months.

Mahabharat was also popular in Indonesia, establishing Sheikh as a big star of the country. After Mahabharat, he did various projects in Indonesia which made him even more popular there.

In 2014, he hosted Indonesian reality television Panah Asmara Arjuna and a variety show The New Eat Bulaga! Indonesia along with his costars from Mahabharat.

In 2015, he co-hosted the television talent show Asia's Got Talent with Marc Nelson. Co-starring Nabila Syakieb and Ravi Bhatia, he also featured in a romantic drama, Cinta di Langit Taj Mahal as Reehan Syahputra, a calm and composed guy.

In 2015, Sheikh landed a lead role in a romantic comedy film Turis Romantis opposite actress Kirana Larasati where he played Azan Khan, a handsome photographer from India, who befriended Nabil, a tough and beautiful tourist guide in Yogyakarta.

Established actor (2016–present)
In 2016, Sheikh made his come back to Indian television with Sony TV's critically acclaimed television show, Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi alongside Erica Fernandes and Supriya Pilgaonkar. He played Dev Dixit, a young and successful business tycoon. In January 2017, the show Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi took a leap of 7 years after which Sheikh's character of Dev Dixit turned into a ruthless and careless Casanova. Sheikh's performance and his chemistry with Erica Fernandes was appreciated.

Along with Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi he also did episodic roles and gave guest appearances in many Indonesian television series.

He was seen as Raden Petir in Roro Jonggrang, as Salman in Malaikat Kecil Dari India, as Aladin/Ali Besar in Aladin & Alakadam, as Prince Zamzaman Jinny Oh Jinny Datang Lagi, as Mr. Thakur in Gara Gara Duyung, as Rahul in Tuyul & Mba Yul Reborn and in a guest appearance in I-KTP. In 2016, he also starred opposite Masayu Anastasia in an Indonesian telefilm Namaku Yusuf wherein he played the titular role of Yusuf. In February 2017, he started working on his upcoming Indonesian feature film Maipa and Datu Museng, an action based love story in which Sheikh will play the role of Datu Museng, a warrior. The film released on 11 January 2018. Sheikh also has plans of producing web series and acting in them.

In 2018, he portrayed Salim in Colors TV's Dastaan-E-Mohabbat: Salim Anarkali. He was paired opposite Sonarika Bhadoria. However it ended in January 2019 due to low viewership.

In August 2018, he was chosen as first Indian torch bearer of the 18th Asian Games by Indonesian Government.

From March 2019 to October 2020, he played Abir Rajvansh in Star Plus's Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, opposite Rhea Sharma. Producer Rajan Shahi stated his role as dynamic.

Sheikh's debut web series titled Paurashpur will also star Annu Kapoor, Shilpa Shinde, Milind Soman and Flora Saini.

Media
In 2017, Sheikh topped in Times list of 20 Most Desirable Men on Indian Television. Next year he earned 4th spot in same list. In 2019 he earned 3rd spot in same list.

In 2016, 2018 and 2019 he was placed at the 25th, 17th and 11th position in Eastern Eye's 50 Sexiest Asian Men List.

In 2019, he earned 1st place in Fuze list of Most desirable men on TV.