Arshad Warsi’s Bio, Age, Family, Movies, Career, Net Worth & More

Arshad Warsi is one of Hindi cinema’s most reliable character actors. He can make a scene funny with a single glance

He can make a scene heavy with a quiet look. Over three decades he has built a career that blends mass appeal with critical respect.

He rose from a difficult childhood to become a familiar face on the big screen. He is best known for his role as Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Lage Raho Munna Bhai, but his filmography includes many different genres.

He has won awards for comedy and earned praise for serious roles.

This biography walks through his early life, struggles, career milestones, personal life, recent developments, and what makes him a unique talent in Bollywood.

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Arshad Warsi’s Biography

Early life and background

Arshad Warsi was born Arshad Hussain on 19 April 1968 in Bombay, now Mumbai. He grew up speaking Urdu and Punjabi.

His father worked in music and poetry and later adopted the surname Warsi after becoming a disciple of a Sufi saint. Arshad attended Barnes School in Deolali for part of his education.

He was orphaned in his teens and left formal schooling after the 10th grade. Financial pressure forced him into work early.

He sold cosmetics door to door and worked in a photo lab before finding footholds in the film industry. These early hardships shaped his grit and determination. ¹

Thank you so much to all of you, from the bottom of my heart, for giving so much love to me and our film #JollyLLB3 🙏🙏🙏

— Jolly Tyagi – Asli Jolly from Meerut (@ArshadWarsi) September 22, 2025

How he entered films

Arshad’s first professional roles in the film world were not as an actor. He started as an assistant director and later worked as a choreographer and background dancer.

He worked with filmmakers and learned the craft behind the camera. That early exposure helped him understand filmmaking from multiple angles.

His acting debut came later, in the mid 1990s, when opportunities to play small roles grew into larger parts. This gradual progression from crew to screen became the foundation for a career built on timing and craft.

Breakthrough: Circuit and the Munna Bhai films

Arshad Warsi’s big break arrived in 2003 with the role of Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. The film was a major box office success and the character of Circuit became instantly popular.

The chemistry between Warsi’s Circuit and Sanjay Dutt’s Munna Bhai made the duo one of the most loved comic pairs in modern Hindi cinema. Warsi returned as Circuit in the sequel Lage Raho Munna Bhai.

His comic timing, body language and memorable one liners won him fans and awards. The Circuit role changed his career overnight and established him as a top-tier comic actor.

Notable Performances

While many remember Arshad for comedy, his filmography proves he can do much more. He has played dark and layered characters in films such as Sehar, Ishqiya and Dedh Ishqiya.

He has given restrained and nuanced performances in courtroom drama and satire like Jolly LLB. He has also been part of ensemble comedies such as the Golmaal series and commercial entertainers like Salaam Namaste.

Critics often mention that he is underrated because he can switch between genres without losing authenticity.

Selected roles that stand out include:

• Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Lage Raho Munna Bhai — the comic breakthrough.

• Razzak/Babban in Ishqiya and Babban in Dedh Ishqiya — layered and darkly comic.

• Lead roles in smaller films like Sehar and Guddu Rangeela where he showed serious chops.

• Jolly LLB — a strong supporting turn in a film that mixed drama and satire.

These choices underline his ability to carry scenes in comedies and in tougher dramatic material.

Awards and Recognition

Arshad Warsi has received several nominations and a handful of wins. He won a Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for his work in the Munna Bhai films.

Over the years he has earned nominations across major Indian film awards including IIFA, Screen Awards and Zee Cine Awards.

While award lists do not capture an artist’s full contribution, Warsi’s acclaim among peers and critics has grown because of his consistent performances in different types of films.

Box Office and Mainstream Hits

Arshad has been part of several commercially successful films. Franchise comedies such as Golmaal and the Dhamaal series have been big box office earners.

Munna Bhai films were major national successes and brought him household recognition. Even in films where he was not the main lead, his presence often added a crowd-pleasing element. He has balanced mainstream hits with smaller, more challenging films for a varied filmography.

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Personal Life

Arshad Warsi married Maria Goretti on 15 February 1996. The couple has two children, a son and a daughter. Over the years Warsi has spoken about the importance of family and privacy.

He and his wife have also collaborated in public life and media from time to time. He is known to enjoy biking and has often shared his love for motorcycles in interviews and social posts.

Recent developments and controversies

In 2025 Arshad Warsi faced regulatory action from India’s securities regulator, SEBI, in connection with promotional content tied to a specific small cap stock.

SEBI imposed market bans and monetary penalties on several individuals, including Warsi and his wife. These actions arose from promotional videos and alleged coordinated trading that inflated the stock price.

The case attracted media attention because it raised questions about influencers, transparency, and stock market promotions in India. This is a notable recent development in his public life and may have legal implications.²

Net Worth

Estimates of Arshad Warsi’s net worth vary by source. Recent media estimates suggest a substantial net worth, reflecting decades in film, endorsements, occasional production credits, and real estate.

One 2025 estimate placed his net worth at around $40 million, though such figures are approximations and should be treated cautiously unless confirmed by official statements or audited disclosures.

Beyond acting, Warsi has shown interest in production, and his public profile includes real estate and lifestyle investments.

Filmography

Below is a concise list of films that showcase his range. This is not exhaustive but captures career landmarks.

• Tere Mere Sapne (1996) — early acting debut.

• Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) — breakthrough as Circuit.

• Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) — sequel, critical and commercial success.

• Sehar (2005) — serious crime drama.

• Ishqiya (2010) and Dedh Ishqiya (2014) — dark and layered roles.

• Golmaal series (2006 onward) — ensemble comedies and box office hits.

• Jolly LLB (2013) — courtroom drama with strong ensemble.

• Guddu Rangeela (2015) — lead role with critical attention.

Quick Stats Table

Career milestones timeline

• 1980s–90s: Worked as assistant director and choreographer. Learned the film trade behind the scenes.

• 1996: Acting debut with Tere Mere Sapne.

• 2003: Breakthrough with Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. as Circuit.

• 2005–2010: Took on a range of roles from serious drama to mainstream comedies including Sehar, Salaam Namaste and Ishqiya.

• 2013: Critical praise for Jolly LLB.

• 2014–2019: Continued work in ensemble and solo projects, including Dedh Ishqiya and Total Dhamaal.

• 2025: Faced regulatory action from SEBI in a stock promotion case.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When and where was Arshad Warsi born?

A: He was born on 19 April 1968 in Bombay, now Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Q: How did Arshad Warsi get into films?

A: He started as an assistant director and choreographer. He later moved into small acting roles and made his acting debut in 1996 with Tere Mere Sapne.

Q: What is Arshad Warsi’s most famous role?

A: His most famous role is Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Lage Raho Munna Bhai. That role gave him national recognition.

Q: Has Arshad Warsi won major awards?

A: Yes. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for his work in the Munna Bhai films and has multiple nominations across Indian film awards.

Q: Is Arshad Warsi only a comic actor?

A: No. While many know him for comedy, he has also done serious and dark roles in films such as Sehar, Ishqiya and Jolly LLB. Critics often praise his range.

Q: Who is Arshad Warsi married to?

A: He is married to Maria Goretti. They married in 1996 and have two children. Wikipedia

Q: Is Arshad Warsi involved in any controversies?

A: In 2025 he and several others were subject to action by SEBI related to promotion of a small-cap stock. The regulator imposed bans and fines. This became a prominent news item.

Q: What is his net worth?

A: Net worth estimates vary. Some recent media outlets estimated his net worth near $40 million as of 2025, but exact figures are not officially confirmed. Treat media estimates with caution.

Conclusion

Arshad Warsi’s career shows an artist who worked his way up, learned the trade, and then used that experience to build a long and varied filmography.

He is celebrated for comic genius and respected for serious acting. His story from difficult early years to national recognition is the kind of career arc that resonates with many.

Recent controversies remind us that public life has legal and reputational risks. Still, his body of work remains influential for anyone who loves character acting in Indian cinema.

Also Read: 

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. indiatimes