Sunny Hinduja is a versatile Indian actor who rose to nationwide fame with his grounded, motivational turn as Sandeep Bhaiya in TVF’s Aspirants
Viewers connected with his calm intensity and the lived-in realism he brings to strivers, cops, friends, and antagonists across films and web series.
Long before that breakout, Sunny put in years of work in theatre and screen projects, sharpening his craft with patient consistency.
His portfolio spans streaming hits like The Family Man, Inside Edge, The Railway Men, and Sandeep Bhaiya (the spin-off), along with feature films such as Mardaani 2, Thai Massage, Shehzada, and Yodha.
He is trained in acting at FTII (Film and Television Institute of India), and his career path reflects a classic “slow and steady” ascent: small roles, steady growth, and then recognition through a character that resonated with millions.
This biography gathers the key facts about Sunny Hinduja’s life, education, acting journey, notable performances, and recent projects.

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Table of Contents
Sunny Hinduja’s Biography
Early Life and Education
Public profiles consistently describe Sunny Hinduja as having roots in central India and completing his schooling at Daly College, Indore.
Several sources also mention a B.E. (Hons.) path at the BITS Pilani Dubai Campus before formal acting training. He then studied acting at FTII, Pune, India’s premier film school, which has trained many acclaimed actors and filmmakers.
While exact details like birth city vary by source, the pattern is clear: a strong academic base, followed by a decisive pivot toward performance through structured training at FTII.
That training phase included stage work, labs, and student films exposure that later helped him bring nuance and restraint to screen roles.
A very happy birthday to @SrBachchan sir🙏
He has been Indian cinema’s eternal flame, illuminating the way for us and filling the industry with so much warmth. Wishing you the best of health and happiness sir❤
— Sunny Hinduja (@hinduja_sunny) October 11, 2025
Quick Stats
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sunny Hinduja (Birth name reported as Sandeep Das Hinduja) |
| Profession | Actor (Film, Television, Web) |
| Known For | Aspirants (Sandeep “Sandeep Bhaiya”), The Family Man, The Railway Men, Sandeep Bhaiya (spin-off), Yodha |
| Years Active | 2010 – present |
| Reported Date of Birth | 25 November 1985 (Wikipedia) / 25 November 1990 (other entertainment databases) |
| Reported Birthplace | Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
| Education | Daly College (Indore); BITS Pilani – Dubai Campus (reported); Acting training at FTII, Pune |
| Marital Status | Married to Shinjini Raval |
| Notable Film Roles | Mardaani 2 (2019), Thai Massage (2022), Shehzada (2023), Yodha (2024) |
| Notable Web/TV Roles | The Family Man (Milind), Aspirants/Sandeep Bhaiya, The Railway Men (Jagmohan Kumawat), Mandala Murders (Anant Pant) |
Acting Training and Foundation
At FTII, Sunny worked on theatre pieces and short films, learning text analysis, voice, movement, and camera performance. Interviews over the years suggest a practical, workmanlike approach to acting less about flamboyant transformation and more about truthful behavior in given circumstances.
He has spoken about the long grind, rejections, and learning to treat each audition as practice rather than a verdict on talent.1
That craft-first mindset shows in his later screen work. Whether he plays a mentor, a journalist, a cop, or a scheming antagonist, he tends to avoid broad strokes and instead brings quiet detail how the character listens, how he weighs a decision, or how fatigue shows up in posture.

The Long Road: Early Credits and Persistence
Sunny’s on-screen journey began around 2010, with early TV credits like Seven and Rishta.com, and the feature Shaapit: The Cursed.
These were followed by steady turns in series such as Chandragupta Maurya, Adrishya, and Reporters a period in which he was visible but not yet a household name.
In cinema, he showed up across indies and studio films, from Ballad of Rustom and Pinky Memsaab to Mardaani 2. This phase demanded patience.
He has candidly said that he even considered stepping away from acting around 2011 before recommitting to the craft. That willingness to keep learning turning rejections into fuel became a theme in his story.
Breakthrough: Aspirants and the Rise of “Sandeep Bhaiya”
The turning point arrived with TVF’s Aspirants (2021). Sunny’s Sandeep Bhaiya is not flashy; he’s a grounded senior who understands failure, grit, and second chances.
It’s a performance that found its audience through empathy. The character’s economy of words, unforced authority, and mentoring energy made him an emotional anchor in a story about UPSC dreams and disappointments.
The audience love for Sandeep Bhaiya led to a standalone spin-off, Sandeep Bhaiya (2023), which follows his personal journey from a determined aspirant to a man fighting circumstances without losing his moral compass. Here, Sunny held center stage, showing both vulnerability and resolve. 2
What stands out is the way he keeps the performance minimal. His Sandeep is never sermonizing; he is a listener who nudges others forward through example and small acts of courage. That understatement is a hallmark of Sunny’s screen presence.

Expanding Range: The Family Man, Inside Edge, and Beyond
Around the same period, Sunny also appeared in Amazon Prime Video titles:
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Milind in The Family Man (2019–2021): a member of Srikant Tiwari’s world, navigating intense, high-stakes operations. The show’s scale and popularity made Sunny visible to a wider streaming audience.
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Sultan Ali Khan in Inside Edge (2021): a part within the cricket-politics drama that let him play with power dynamics and backstage maneuvering.
The Railway Men (2023): Integrity Under Pressure
In Netflix’s The Railway Men a series inspired by the 1984 Bhopal disaster Sunny plays Jagmohan Kumawat, a journalist who pushes against fear and silence.
The story leans on unsung heroes, and Kumawat’s determination matches that theme. It’s a role of conscience rather than swagger, again playing to Sunny’s strengths: quiet resolve and human stakes.
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Big-Screen Turns: Mardaani 2, Thai Massage, Shehzada, and Yodha
Sunny’s film work shows a steady climb:
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Mardaani 2 (2019): Part of the gritty sequel headlined by Rani Mukerji.
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Thai Massage (2022): A slice-of-life drama where he fits into a warm, character-driven ensemble.
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Shehzada (2023): A mainstream entertainer where he sharpened his on-screen edges.
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Yodha (2024): A high-octane actioner where Sunny plays a villainous part (Rafiq/Jalal per sources). He spoke about enjoying the mystery around his character’s reveal and leaning into a menacing, fun shade of performance.
Yodha in particular shows casting directors now see him as capable of carrying grey and negative shades with believability.

2025 and On: Mandala Murders and New Frontiers
Sunny appears in YRF Entertainment’s Mandala Murders, a Netflix thriller that premiered on July 25, 2025. He is credited as Anant Pant, in a sprawling, occult-tinged investigation set in a fictional town.
The series expanded his streaming footprint in a darker, mythological-crime space and drew audience discussion around its lore and ending.
Reports and listings also credit him in Saare Jahan Se Accha: The Silent Guardians (2025) in a high-stakes role, pointing to a continued presence in dense, plot-driven dramas.
Personal Life
Sunny Hinduja is married to Shinjini Raval. Public coverage references their relationship and appearances together; Wikipedia also lists her as his spouse.
Some reports mention a July 2015 wedding, highlighting a long-standing partnership that began around their training years, though in-depth personal details remain private something Sunny has generally kept that way.
Filmography
Films
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Shaapit: The Cursed (2010) – early feature credit.
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Pinky Memsaab (2018) – independent drama.
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Mardaani 2 (2019) – crime drama.
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Jamun (2021) – family drama.
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Thai Massage (2022) – slice-of-life film.
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Shehzada (2023) – commercial entertainer.
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Yodha (2024) – action thriller; antagonistic role.
Web / Streaming
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The Family Man (2019–2021) – Milind.
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Aspirants (2021– ) – Sandeep Bhaiya.
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Sandeep Bhaiya (2023) – Title role in spin-off.
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Inside Edge (2021) – Sultan Ali Khan.
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The Railway Men (2023) – Jagmohan Kumawat.
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Mandala Murders (2025) – Anant Pant.
Television
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Seven (2010), Rishta.com (2010), Chandragupta Maurya (2011–2012), Adrishya (2014), Reporters (2015), Mere Dad Ki Dulhan (2019–2020).

Career Themes and Impact
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Patience pays off: Sunny’s story is a reminder that careers can be marathons. Early credits didn’t bring instant stardom, but they built experience.
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Character authenticity: His naturalistic style suits the grounded storytelling that Indian streaming audiences have embraced.
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Mentor energy: The warmth and realism of Sandeep Bhaiya created cultural shorthand. When people say “Sandeep Bhaiya,” they often mean a mentor who tells hard truths without crushing hope.
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Range within realism: From supportive roles to antagonists, Sunny keeps finding human stakes, which widens his casting horizons.
Awards and Recognition
While comprehensive award listings fluctuate by year, Sunny’s Aspirants performance earned broad acclaim across media coverage and audience reviews.
As streaming platforms continue to spotlight realistic, character-driven shows, his body of work has steadily gained visibility and critical goodwill.
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FAQ’s
1) Who is Sunny Hinduja?
An Indian actor known for nuanced, realistic performances across film and streaming. He’s best known for playing Sandeep Bhaiya in Aspirants and its spin-off, along with key parts in The Family Man, The Railway Men, and Yodha.
2) Is “Sandeep Bhaiya” based on a real person?
No specific real-life individual is cited in official materials. The character channels experiences common to UPSC aspirants and mentors, which is why he feels authentic.
3) What is Sunny Hinduja’s date of birth?
Public sources differ. Wikipedia lists 25 November 1985, while other entertainment databases list 25 November 1990. Both are noted here with citations.
4) Where was he born?
Sources differ between Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai, Maharashtra. Wikipedia and BookMyShow state Indore; some profiles say Mumbai.
5) Where did he study acting?
At the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. Several interviews and profiles reference his FTII training.
6) Which role made him widely popular?
Sandeep Bhaiya in Aspirants (TVF). The character’s mentorship and resilience won massive audience love and led to the spin-off Sandeep Bhaiya.
7) What are some notable projects after Aspirants?
The Railway Men (Netflix) as Jagmohan Kumawat; Yodha (2024) as a key antagonist; and Mandala Murders (2025) as Anant Pant.
8) Is Sunny Hinduja married?
Yes. He is married to Shinjini Raval, as listed in public profiles and coverage. Some reports mention a July 2015 wedding.
9) Why do people relate to Sandeep Bhaiya?
Because the character respects struggle. He speaks with honesty, not cynicism, which reflects many real mentoring relationships among students and young professionals.
10) What makes Sunny Hinduja’s acting style distinctive?
Understatement, listening, and moral gravity. He often grounds scenes with human scale even when the plot is large or the character is negative.
Conclusion
Sunny Hinduja’s rise wasn’t overnight. It was crafted through years of steady work, a grounding in FTII training, and a consistent focus on truth over theatrics.
Aspirants may have brought him to the center of public attention, but the foundation was laid in the quiet years on set, on stage, and in auditions that taught him resilience.
Today, with acclaimed streaming work and mainstream films under his belt, he stands as one of the most relatable faces in contemporary Hindi storytelling an actor who makes characters feel like people we already know.
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