Arshad Warsi (born 19 April 1968) is an Indian actor, producer, voice artist and television presenter who works predominantly in Hindi cinema. He is best known for portraying Circuit in the Munna Bhai film series directed by Rajkumar Hirani, a role that established him as one of the most recognisable comic actors of his generation in Bollywood.
| Full name | Arshad Warsi |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 April 1968 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, presenter |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Notable role | Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) |
| Spouse | Maria Goretti |
Arshad Warsi was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He lost both his parents at a young age and entered the workforce early, taking up varied jobs before moving towards the entertainment industry. He developed an interest in dance and was associated with the Akbar Sami dance group, eventually winning the India Dance Championship in 1991. He also choreographed the song sequences in Mahesh Bhatt's Kaash (1987) and assisted on other projects before his acting debut.
Warsi made his acting debut in Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited's Tere Mere Sapne (1996), directed by Joy Augustine. The film received a positive reception, although his subsequent releases through the late 1990s, including Hero Hindustani (1998) and Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999), met with limited commercial success.
His career turning point came with Rajkumar Hirani's Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), in which he played Circuit, the loyal sidekick to Sanjay Dutt's title character. The performance earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor and broad critical acclaim. He reprised the role in the sequel Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), which was an even larger commercial success.
Following the Munna Bhai films, Warsi appeared in a range of comedies, thrillers and ensemble dramas, including:
Warsi has hosted television programmes including the Indian version of Boogie Woogie alongside Javed Jaffrey and Naved Jaffrey. He has also lent his voice for dubbing and animation projects and has been associated with film production through his banner.
Arshad Warsi married television presenter and chef Maria Goretti in 1999. The couple have two children, Zeke and Zene.
Warsi is regarded as one of the leading character and comic actors of contemporary Hindi cinema. The character of Circuit, with its distinctive Bambaiya Hindi diction and mannerisms, has become a part of popular culture in India, while his work in films such as Ishqiya and Jolly LLB has demonstrated his range beyond comedy.