Sumit Nijhawan

Biography:

Sumit Nijhawan (born 28 December 1978) is an Indian actor based in Mumbai. Over the years, he has appeared in a range of notable films, including Contract, Sarkar Raj, and Phas Gaye Re Obama. He gained wider recognition for his impactful role as Sarfaraz in Jannat 2. Nijhawan’s first outing as a lead actor came with Maazii, which went on to win the IBN Live Award for Best Independent Film in 2013. He has since delivered strong supporting performances in films such as Dishkiyaaoon, Raja Natwarlal, and Begum Jaan, the latter earning him considerable praise. His work in the action thriller Mardaani 2, starring Rani Mukerji, and in Lootcase, produced by Fox India, was widely appreciated by critics.

He is also set to appear in Blurr, starring Taapsee Pannu, which is slated for release in December 2022.

Born and raised in Meerut, Nijhawan holds a master’s degree in International Business from the Delhi School of Economics. Before entering films, he worked as a model and appeared in campaigns for brands such as Mitsubishi, Globus, Vitara, and Larsen & Toubro.

Nijhawan made his Bollywood debut in 2004 with Girlfriend, followed by Jackie Shroff’s Tum… Ho Na! in 2005. He later collaborated with director Ram Gopal Varma in Aag (2007) and Sarkar Raj (2008), and played the character RD in Contract, a role that earned him critical appreciation. In 2010, his portrayal of Ali in the ensemble comedy Phas Gaye Re Obama brought him significant acclaim. He continued to build momentum with Jannat 2 (2012), where he played a prominent antagonist, and later appeared in Jism 2 as a close friend and confidant to Randeep Hooda’s character.

His first leading role came with Maazii, produced and directed by Jaideep Chopra. Although the film had a limited theatrical release, it received widespread critical praise and was recognized at several international film festivals. Critics highlighted Nijhawan’s restrained yet intense performance, noting his ability to convey controlled anger and emotional depth with subtlety and realism.

Following Maazii, Nijhawan took on a significant role in Dishkiyaoon, produced by Shilpa Shetty, where he portrayed the gangster Iqbal Khaleefa. While the film did not perform well commercially, reviewers consistently singled out Nijhawan’s performance as a standout, crediting the supporting cast with elevating the material.

He further impressed audiences and critics alike as a corrupt police officer in Raja Natwarlal. Reviewers praised his menacing screen presence and convincing portrayal of moral decay, describing his performance as both powerful and memorable.

In Begum Jaan, Nijhawan played a formidable Pathan guard opposite Vidya Balan, earning strong critical responses. Several reviewers highlighted his chemistry with the lead actress and compared his role to iconic characters from classic Indian cinema.

Nijhawan later appeared in Mardaani 2, where he portrayed Brij Shekhawat, a resentful senior police officer threatened by a female colleague’s success. Critics applauded his nuanced performance, noting that he left a strong impression despite limited screen time.

His role as Omar Siddiqui in Lootcase was also well received, resonating with both critics and audiences. His upcoming project, Blurr, marks his next release.

Currently residing in Mumbai, Sumit Nijhawan also has a keen interest in writing and directing, which he continues to pursue alongside his acting career.