17 Lesser-Known Facts About Arshad Warsi, The Circuit Of Bollywood

Arshad Warsi is an underrated actor and is well-known in Bollywood for his acting skills and humor. The actor has played his part brilliantly in popular Bollywood movies like the Munna Bhai series, the Dhamaal series, the Golmaal series, and many more in the comedy genre.

We can still have a good laugh watching his movies for the actor’s perfect comic timing. Arshad Warsi’s acting talent is not only limited to comedy as he performs equally well in serious and intense roles like in the movies Zila Ghaziabad, Irada, Isqiya, and others.

Here is everything you need to know about the talented powerhouse Arshad Warsi:

1. Arshad Warsi’s date of birth is 19th April 1968. He was born in Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra.

2. Arshad Warsi’s father was a renowned musician

He was born into a Muslim family in Mumbai. His father was a musician in Hindi films known by the name Ahmed Ali Khan (Ashiq Hussain). His father adopted the name Warsi after he became a follower of the Sufi saint Waris Ali Shah.

Singer Anwar Hussain is Arshad’s half-brother and actress Asha Sachdev his half-sister from his father’s first marriage to actress Ranjana Sachdev. His father was a well-established harmonium player and an assistant music director to the famed Ghulam Haider.

3. Arshad lost his parents at a very young age

Arshad didn’t really have a happy family life. His father passed away due to cancer when he was in his teens. After a couple of years of losing his father, his mother died as well. He was an orphan by the time he turned 14.

4. Arshad Warsi wanted to be a gymnast

Arshad spent most of his childhood in a hostel and didn’t really have much interaction with his family. He mentioned that when he was 9 y.o he wanted to be a gymnast. But his father did not accept that wish of his and made him let go of some good opportunities. This incident made him more annoyed at his parents and he seldom visited them.

5. Arshad Warsi worked as a salesman and used to sell door-to-door cosmetics at the age of 17

Though he used to belong to an affluent family, who had their own bungalow. But after his father’s death, they went through a deep financial crisis which made them shift from a bungalow to a one-room apartment. At the age of 17, he also worked in a photo lab and dropped his studies in 10th grade.

6. Arshad joined Akbar Sami’s Dance Group to learn dancing

Did you know Arshad Warsi is also a choreographer and dancer? Yes! He even choreographed a few films. Initially, most of his earnings were spent on his mother’s dialysis. Later he also formed a dance troupe and started his own dance studio, “Awesome”.

7. Arshad Warsi was a part of a bikers’ gang in school as he is an avid biker

8. Arshad Warsi’s debut in Bollywood

Arshad Warsi debuted in Bollywood with the help of Amitabh Bachchan’s production house. His first film was Tere Mere Sapne produced by Bachchan’s company back in 1996.

Arshad is very thankful and still shows his gratitude towards the actor Jaya Bachchan. He acted in a film, Scarface, and initially dedicated that film to Jaya.

9. Arshad Warsi wife and children

Arshad is a father of two, Zeke Warsi and Zene Warsi. He’s married to Maria Goretti. Their love story can be considered one of the cutest! During a college fest where Arshad was the judge for the dance competition, Maria was a contestant. They met through that show and Maria said how fond she was of him. Arshad then offered her a glass of beer and love brewed!

Though they did go through some hurdles back then when he started getting involved with his production house, the duo came back stronger than ever.

Maria and Zeke made a special appearance in his movie Salaam Namaste.

10. Arshad’s shelved projects

We have seen Arshad in many films but some of them did not get through the theaters and initially were shelved. A few of the films as such are Chhupa Hai Dil Mein Kya where he was designated to play a scientist, Hum Tum Aur Woh, Aye Watan Tere Liye, Saza, Cocktail, An Unusual Love Story, Hungame Pe Hungama, and a Hollywood film Shantaram.

11. Rumored linkups and engagements

Though we already know he is happily married to his wife Maria. Yet there was news of his link-ups, where it was said that he was involved with Pooja Bhatt and her cousin Valerie. Back in 1993, there were rumors of this actor being engaged to actress Anjali Jathar.

12. The roles Arshad rejected

Just like any other actor Arshad also rejected a lot of roles in Bollywood.

• In the film, Umrao Jaan, Arshad was the one who got signed up first. But then he dropped the role and backed out of it.
• The film, Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche directed by Boney Kapoor was also pitched to Arshad and the iconic duo of Twinkle and Arshad was expected to be a part of this film. But due to unknown reasons, he canceled this role as well.
• The film Khuda Kasam was bagged by him and he even signed for it, later he rejected and the role was given to Sunny Deol.

13. When he received a death threat for Kabul Express

Back in 2006, Arshad was provided with security by the Afghanistan government cause he was life threatened by the Taliban during the shoot of Kabul Express.

This week, that year: Kabir Khan on how he shot John Abraham and Arshad Warsi’s Kabul Express despite Taliban threats – Pune Mirror https://t.co/kv6y1i9teU pic.twitter.com/XPUavDs5s6

— FansnStars↩ (@FansnStars) December 20, 2019

14. Arshad Warsi movies that made a mark at the box office

A turning point in his career was winning a Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. He featured in several comedy films which were commercially successful including Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?, Hulchul, Salaam Namaste, Dhamaal series, Krazzy 4, Golmaal series, F.A.L.T.U, Ishqiya, Jolly LLB, and many more.

Arshad was lauded by critics for his role in films like Kabul Express, Sehar, Guddu Rangeela, and Dedh Ishqiya. His other films include Jeevan Bheema Yogna, and Banda Singh.

In 2007, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. He has also received Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role twice.

15. Arshad Warsi web series include Asur on Voot. Fans are anticipating the release of Asur 2

16. Arshad and Katrina Controversy

We bet everyone remembers the ‘Slice ad’ where Katrina held a mango and it turned into a bottle of Slice. He commented about it saying that if Katrina held a grape it would probably turn into wine.

That comment spread rapid-fire, just like any other rumor in Bollywood does. When he addressed this situation in front of the media, he said the statements he passed were about the maker of the ad and not against Katrina Kaif.

17. Ashad Warsi net worth

Arshad Warsi estimated net worth as of 2022 is about 298 Crore Indian rupees which is equivalent to $40 Million US at present.

 

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