Vijay Raaz (born 5 June 1963) is an Indian actor, film director and narrator who works predominantly in Hindi cinema. Known for his distinctive gruff baritone and a deadpan comic sensibility, he has appeared in more than 90 films across a career spanning over two decades, in addition to undertaking voice-over work for films and commercials.
| Born | 5 June 1963 |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor, film director, narrator |
| Industry | Hindi cinema |
| Debut (acting) | Bhopal Express (1999) |
| Breakthrough | Monsoon Wedding (2001), as Dubeyji |
| Directorial debut | Kya Dilli Kya Lahore (2014) |
| Notable for | Comic and gangster roles; voice-over work |
Raaz made his film debut with Bhopal Express in 1999. His breakthrough came two years later with Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding (2001), in which his portrayal of the wedding planner Dubeyji drew wide attention and remains among his most recognised performances.
He earned further recognition for his comedic turns in Run (2004) and Dhamaal (2007), films that helped establish his reputation as a scene-stealing supporting performer in mainstream Hindi cinema.
Raaz is also noted for his gangster portrayals, particularly in Delhi Belly (2011) and Dedh Ishqiya (2014). He has continued to take on prominent supporting parts in critically and commercially successful films, including Stree (2018), Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy (2019), Lootcase (2020) and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022).
In 2014, Raaz turned director with Kya Dilli Kya Lahore, a film set against the backdrop of the India–Pakistan partition.
His gruff baritone has been employed extensively in narration and voice-over assignments for films and television commercials.
Raaz is regarded as one of Hindi cinema's most versatile character actors, equally adept at comic, menacing and dramatic registers. His collaborations with directors such as Mira Nair, Zoya Akhtar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, alongside his work in commercially popular ensemble comedies, illustrate his range across art-house, mainstream and crossover productions.