Arif Zakaria

Arif Zakaria

Born: November 11, 1966
in Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Arif Zakaria (born 11 November 1966) is an Indian actor. He has had roles in many films, beginning with his debut film Darmiyaan (1997), 1947 Earth (1998), Dance like a man (2004), and biographical projects such as Mardana and the controversial Nanak Shah Fakir.

Arif Zakaria's uncle Rafiq Zakaria was a veteran politician from the Indian National Congress. His brother Asif Zakaria is also an INC politician and cousin Fareed Zakaria is an American journalist. Zakaria completed his graduation from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics.

Zakaria married Namrata Sharma, a Fashion Writer, in 2002. The couple divorced in 2010.

Zakaria began acting in theatre while in college and later moved on to work in television and films. He acted in numerous television serials like Chunauti, Karambhoomi, Mrityudand, Dhund, Aarzoo, Campus, Kaali - Ek Agnipariksha, etc. Arif acted in diverse roles in films like Darmiyaan, Hero, Asambhav and Dance Like a Man (English). Zakaria travelled the globe since 2005 with the Australian musical show Merchants of Bollywood, performing major roles in the production across Europe, China, France, Poland, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia (the last season in Sydney in 2010).

The actor portrayed Rustom Sethna in Deepa Mehta's Earth/1947 and Major Dhillon in Shyam Benegal's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero. He also appeared in Home Delivery: Aapko... Ghar Tak, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Deewaar and the Shah Rukh Khan film My Name is Khan.

In 2011, Arif played the ghost that haunts the female protagonist in Vikram Bhatt's Haunted and was appreciated for the ghastly portrayal of a piano teacher falling in love with his young student who gets murdered while making advances towards her and rapes her as a ghost, which forces her to commit suicide in the movie. He played the role of a police officer in Jism 2, starring Sunny Leone, appeared in Lootera and in Krrish 3 as Dr. Varun Shetty.

Other releases of the actor are Dee Saturday Night, Darr At The Mall, Blue Mountain (all 2014) and Nanak Shah Fakir and Ishq Forever (both 2015). He is also acting in the play Gardish Mein Taare, directed by Saif Hyder Hasan, which is based on the life of Guru Dutt. In 2015, Zakaria produced a children's film "Pinti Ka Sabun" for the Children's Film Society of India; (CFSI) this film is directed by Pramod Pathak.

In 2017, Arif was seen in Vikram Bhatt's web series Spotlight - Web series as famous actor/director/producer Dev Bannerjee. Featured in the short film Aamad - written and directed by Neeraj Udhwani for the Terribly Tiny Tales web portal.

Arif Zakaria also worked in Raazi, directed by Meghna Gulzar, along with Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal and the film Ahaan, directed by first-time director Nikhil Pherwani; a tender story of a young man suffering from down syndrome. He is slated to shoot for an English film Swords and Sceptres, a re-telling of the story of the Rani of Jhansi. Plays the role of Gaus Khan. Shooting commenced from October 2017 in Jaipur. At present the actor is playing the role of Gen. Bakhtiyar in a romance-thriller series Qubool Hai 2.0 that will be streamed on all ZEE5 platform.

Source: Article "Arif Zakaria" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Movies for Arif Zakaria...

Mission Raniganj
Title: Mission Raniganj
Character: DG Om Chakravarti
Released: October 6, 2023
Type: Movie
A real-life story of additional chief mining engineer Jaswant Singh Gill who helped in the rescue of people when a coal mine in Raniganj, West Bengal, was flooded. The incident dates back to 1989.
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Mastaney
Title: Mastaney
Character: Wazir
Released: August 25, 2023
Type: Movie
Set in 1739, Nader Shah's undefeated army is attacked by Sikh rebellions. Nadar demands their arrest to no avail. Five civilians are hired to play Sikh rebels but over time, they learn the Sikh way.
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Kaun Pravin Tambe?
Title: Kaun Pravin Tambe?
Character: Jamil Jalali
Released: April 1, 2022
Type: Movie
Mumbai-born leg-spinner Pravin Tambe made his debut in professional cricket at the age of 41 in the IPL for Rajasthan Royals in 2013 not having played any international or even first-class cricket before that. The story traces the extraordinary journey of Tambe as he became the oldest debutant - at an age when most cricketers have retired or are on the verge of retirement - a modern-day fable of an underdog who fought against his destiny.
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420 IPC
Title: 420 IPC
Character: Sinha
Released: December 17, 2021
Type: Movie
CA Keswani is arrested for bank fraud and forgery. Keswani hires Birbal, a lawyer, to fight his case. But Birbal realises that there's more to it than what meets the eye.
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Ahaan
Title: Ahaan
Character: Ozzy
Released: March 19, 2021
Type: Movie
Jilted by his wife, a man with OCD finds eye-opening common ground and camaraderie with his neighbour, a young man with Down Syndrome.
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Title: Qubool Hai 2.0
Character: General Bakhtiyar Farouqi
Released: March 12, 2021
Type: TV
It is the story of Asad and Zoya -- two individuals who have surrendered to their ideals. One to the cause of his country, another to her duty towards her family.
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Title: Avrodh: The Siege Within
Character: Ali Raza Khan
Released: July 31, 2020
Type: TV
Avrodh is a series of untold incidents where India was laid to a kind of siege, and had to tap into its bravest frontier heroes to investigate, save, protect and fight fearlessly for the country.
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Gul Makai
Title: Gul Makai
Character: Sufi Mohammed
Released: January 31, 2020
Type: Movie
Fear is like an elastic band. You stretch the band inside of your mind and it keeps expanding, till one moment it snaps or you cut it for it to break. 'Gul Makai' is such a story, a story of courage that overcame fear and oppression. 'Gul Makai' accounts the courageous journey and struggle of Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai, from her humble upbringing in the Swat Valley to her becoming the champion for free education to all. 'Gul Makai' is a small tribute to this lion hearted girl who is in every essence a global citizen championing a cause that transcends boundaries, caste, religion and geography.
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The Warrior Queen of Jhansi
Title: The Warrior Queen of Jhansi
Character: Gaus Khan
Released: November 15, 2019
Type: Movie
The true story of Lakshmibai, the historic Queen of Jhansi who fiercely led her army against the British East India Company in the infamous mutiny of 1857.
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War
Title: War
Character: Utpal Bisbas
Released: October 2, 2019
Type: Movie
Khalid, entrusted with the task of eliminating former soldier turned rogue Kabir, engages in an epic battle with his mentor who taught him everything.
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Title: Cutting Pyaar
Released: June 20, 2019
Type: TV
Cutting Pyaar is a series of love stories revolving around love and how different people view love and relationships.
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Title: Leila
Character: Dr. Iyer
Released: June 14, 2019
Type: TV
In the forgotten margins of the segregated communities of a dystopian future, a woman searches for the daughter that she lost upon her arrest years ago.
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Raazi
Title: Raazi
Character: Abdul
Released: May 10, 2018
Type: Movie
An Indian spy is married to a Pakistani military officer during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
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The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir
Title: The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir
Character: Deva (voice)
Released: May 9, 2018
Type: Movie
Ajatashatru Lavash Patel has lived all his life in a small Mumbai neighborhood tricking people with street magic and fakir stunts. He sets out on a journey to find his estranged father but instead gets dragged on a never-ending adventure.
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Title: Spotlight
Character: Devv Benerjee
Released: December 8, 2017
Type: TV
The story of famous bollywood actress, Sana Sanyal; her ups and down, her relationships, and the naked truth of Bollywood life.
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Rahenge Sadaa Gardish Mein Taare
Title: Rahenge Sadaa Gardish Mein Taare
Character: Dev Dutt
Released: April 25, 2017
Type: Movie
A relationship drama based on the lives of two creative people and their work. A tribute to 1950s Hindi cinema, it is heavily inspired by the life of filmmaker Guru Dutt, his singer-wife Geeta Dutt, and their tumultuous marriage.
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Poorna
Title: Poorna
Character: Col. Khan
Released: March 31, 2017
Type: Movie
An Adivasi 13-year-old from Telangana becomes the youngest girl in history to climb Mount Everest.
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Anna
Title: Anna
Character: Master
Released: October 14, 2016
Type: Movie
Indian biographical film based on the life of social activist, Kisan Baburao "Anna" Hazare.
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Nanak Shah Fakir
Title: Nanak Shah Fakir
Character: Bhai Mardana
Released: May 14, 2014
Type: Movie
Nanak Shah Fakir is a biographical film on the life and teachings of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev.
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Darr @ the Mall
Title: Darr @ the Mall
Character: Manchanda
Released: February 21, 2014
Type: Movie
A newly constructed mall is suspected to be haunted when a few workers are mysteriously killed during its construction. Vishnu, a security guard, unveils the mystery behind the mall's dark secret.
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Krrish 3
Title: Krrish 3
Character: Dr. Varun Shetty
Released: November 1, 2013
Type: Movie
Krrish and his father Rohit must team up to save the world from a psychokinetic evil man named Kaal and his army of mutants.
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Shootout at Wadala
Title: Shootout at Wadala
Character: Sadiq
Released: May 3, 2013
Type: Movie
The first-ever registered encounter by the Mumbai Police, which took place on November 1, 1982.
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Lootera
Title: Lootera
Character: Bajpai
Released: April 4, 2013
Type: Movie
In a village, a young archaeologist falls in love with a landlord's daughter. Their union seems doomed. But destiny brings them together a year later. Will they live happily ever after?
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Jism 2
Title: Jism 2
Character: Guru Saldanah
Released: August 3, 2012
Type: Movie
A porn star is hired by a dashing intelligence officer as a 'honey-trap' for a dreaded assassin. She not only has to confront her bitter-sweet past, but is also forced to make an impossible choice - one that will put her own life in jeopardy.
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Jannat 2
Title: Jannat 2
Character: Police Chief
Released: May 4, 2012
Type: Movie
A dealer of illegal guns is bullied into being an informer for a cop who wants to put an end to this racket.
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Agent Vinod
Title: Agent Vinod
Character: Suicide bomber
Released: March 23, 2012
Type: Movie
Agent Vinod sets out on a secret mission to find the reason behind the death of Rajan, his colleague. Terror strikes when he unfolds an even bigger conspiracy.
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Haunted-3D
Title: Haunted-3D
Character: Professor Iyer
Released: May 5, 2011
Type: Movie
A realtor finds himself accompanied by two ghostly entities inside a mansion. He learns of a violent event that took place years ago and is sent back in time to prevent it from happening.
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Rokkk
Title: Rokkk
Character: Healer
Released: March 5, 2010
Type: Movie
Anushka helps her sister fight a murder charge and she becomes trapped in a nightmarish world that may be inescapable.
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My Name Is Khan
Title: My Name Is Khan
Character: Faisal Rahman
Released: February 10, 2010
Type: Movie
Rizwan Khan, a Muslim from the Borivali section of Mumbai, has Asperger's syndrome. He marries a Hindu single mother, Mandira, in San Francisco. After 9/11, Rizwan is detained by authorities at LAX who treat him as a terrorist because of his condition and his race.
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Banaras
Title: Banaras
Character: Inspector Satpal Shukla
Released: April 7, 2006
Type: Movie
Banaras: A Mystic Love Story is the name of an Indian Bollywood film directed by Pankaj Parashar released in 2006. The film takes place in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi (the city, once known as Banaras, serves as a destination for the pilgrimage of millions of Hindu worshippers annually) and is centered around the relationship of a young woman with her parents and her lover. The storyline also has a strong religious dimension. Most of the film was shot in Varanasi, with some scenes shot in Mauritius.
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Home Delivery
Title: Home Delivery
Character: P3P
Released: December 2, 2005
Type: Movie
A middle-aged pizza delivery man serves up more than just food to a young advice columnist who's having second thoughts about his engagement.
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Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero
Title: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero
Character: Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon
Released: May 13, 2005
Type: Movie
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (also known as Bose: The Forgotten Hero) is a 2005 film directed by Shyam Benegal and starring Sachin Khedekar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajit Kapur, Arif Zakaria, and Divya Dutta. The movie depicts the last five years of the life of the Indian independence leader "Netaji" Subhash Chandra Bose. It starts out at the point where Bose resigns from his position as the president of the Indian National Congress (I.N.C.) to the meeting with Italians by crossing Afghanistan's rugged terrains and entering into Europe, to romancing his German secretary and appointment with Adolf Hitler in Berlin, to his inspiring of the Indian P.O.W.s (Prisoners Of War) of the 'Punjab Regiment' (British Army) for fighting against the British forces in India, to the patriotic speeches.
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Asambhav
Title: Asambhav
Character: Dabral
Released: July 22, 2004
Type: Movie
When the President of India is kidnapped by Kashmiri terrorists in Locarno, Switzerland, an Indian secret agent is sent to find him and set him free. With the help of an Indian singer he will make the "Impossible" to complete the mission.
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Deewaar: Let's Bring Our Heroes Home
Title: Deewaar: Let's Bring Our Heroes Home
Character: Rajan
Released: June 25, 2004
Type: Movie
Major Ranvir Kaul (Amitabh Bachchan) is a POW who was captured along with over 50 soldiers by Pakistani soldiers in 1971 during the war between India and Pakistan. 33 years later Ranvir's son Gaurav (Akshaye Khanna) decides to go on a rescue mission to Pakistan and bring back his father who he has not seen since he was a child. Helping him on his mission is Khan (Sanjay Dutt) who had successfully escaped from the same prison. They steal, kill, and plan to get the prisoners out. This movie is inspired by the film The Great Escape.
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Dance Like a Man
Title: Dance Like a Man
Character: Jairaj Parekh
Released: May 1, 2004
Type: Movie
A middle-aged couple want their daughter (Anoushka Shankar) to follow in their footsteps and become a dancer.
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A Thousand Desires Like These
Title: A Thousand Desires Like These
Character: Daryll
Released: December 22, 2003
Type: Movie
Set against the backdrop of the Indian Emergency, the movie tells the story of three youngsters in the 70s, when India was undergoing massive social and political changes. The movie's title is taken from the couplet of Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib.
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Footpath
Title: Footpath
Character: Shyam
Released: August 15, 2003
Type: Movie
Two friends of a man help him avenge his father's death. Years later, he reunites with his friends who have now become criminals. What they don't know, is that he is now an undercover cop.
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Shirdi Sai Baba
Title: Shirdi Sai Baba
Character: Young Sai Baba
Released: January 1, 2001
Type: Movie
An Indian has no faith in the existence of God. His friend recounts numerous tales depicting the miracles of Sai Baba. Unconvinced, he visits Shirdi himself and begins his journey towards discovery and faith. The movie is focused on the story of Sai Baba - his birth, teachings, miracles and his physical death. For the first time, a film has been shot in Shirdi, the holy temple of Sai Baba.
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Earth
Title: Earth
Character: Rustom Sethna
Released: September 16, 1998
Type: Movie
It's 1947 and the borderlines between India and Pakistan are being drawn. A young girl bears witnesses to tragedy as her ayah is caught between the love of two men and the rising tide of political and religious violence.
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Darmiyaan: In Between
Title: Darmiyaan: In Between
Character: Immi / Mazhudin Khan / Sitara
Released: January 1, 1997
Type: Movie
The saga of Mazhuddin Khan alias Immi, born in 1939 in Bombay, British India, as a eunuch, whose mother, Zeenat, in denial that she has sired him, refers to him as her younger brother. She attains fame, has an affair with Inder Kumar Bhalla, only to lose him years later to a younger actress, Chitra. Embittered, she sets out to seek vengeance, takes to gambling and alcohol, isolates and alienates herself from the film-world, and then must also deal with the news that Immi has become the 'father' of a male child, Murad. In the end, it is Immi that saves her from total self-destruction.