Darshan Kumaar Bio, Age, Career, Movies, Family and More

Darshan Kumaar also credited as Darshan Kumar and born Darshan Gandas is a Hindi film and web-series actor whose career arc is a story of patience, craft, and persistence

He first came into the national spotlight as Onler Kom in Mary Kom (2014). He then flipped his on-screen image with a chilling turn as Satbir in NH10 (2015).

What sets Darshan apart is not only range supportive spouse, antagonist, conflicted idealist but also the humility with which he has built his filmography.

He trained in theatre after moving to Mumbai, did small or uncredited roles early on, learned from television, and created momentum with performance-centric parts rather than hype.

Today, he is part of the cohort of actors who can hold a frame without resorting to theatrics.

Also Read: Angad Singh Bedi Bio, Family, Career, Movies, Wife and Net Worth

Darshan Kumaar’s Biography

Early Life and Theatre Roots

Darshan Kumaar hails from Kishangarh near Mehrauli in South Delhi. He grew up in the capital, discovered the stage early, and later moved to Mumbai at around 24 to chase acting professionally.

Before his face became familiar on screen, he trained and performed for several years in theatre first with Sahej Theatre Group, then with Motley, the repertory led by Naseeruddin Shah. This phase was formative.

It taught him the stamina of stagecraft, script discipline, and the patience to sit with a character’s arc rather than reaching for shortcuts. ¹

Interviews around Mary Kom often mention how he worked under Neena Gupta’s theatre group and then in Motley, where years of rehearsals and diverse roles sharpened his instincts.

When you watch Darshan hold a silent beat in a tense close-up, that’s the theatre muscle at work: breath control, eye focus, and timing built over hundreds of hours on stage.

“Wings of Valour” celebrates the spirit and unmatched courage n glory of the Indian Air Force. Looking forward to exploring this tribute. Congratulations n best wishes @swapy6 on the release!
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat! 🇮🇳✈️🇮🇳
🔗 https://t.co/ndRklZydOn

— Darshan Kumaar (@DarshanKumaar) October 9, 2025

Quick Stats

Early Screen Work and Breakthrough

Like many actors who arrive in Mumbai with stage credentials, Darshan did his share of smaller appearances.

He reportedly featured in Tere Naam (2003) and had TV parts in the late 2000s and early 2010s, including Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev, where he played Shukracharya. The visibility from television helped, but cinema was the goal.

Mary Kom (2014): The Big Spotlight

His mainstream breakthrough came opposite Priyanka Chopra in Mary Kom, where he portrayed Onler Kom, the husband and steady anchor in the boxer’s life story.

The part demanded warmth, dignity, and emotional grounding rather than flashy moments and Darshan delivered a controlled performance that kept the biopic’s domestic track believable. Because Mary Kom was a major studio film and awards-season player, the exposure was significant.

NH10 (2015): A Sharp Turn and an Award

If Mary Kom introduced him as a sincere lead, NH10 flipped the perception. In this gritty thriller fronted by Anushka Sharma, Darshan played a negative role with a menacing edge.

The performance earned him the IIFA Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 2016, a validation that he could inhabit darker shades without caricature. For an actor building a portfolio, that award mattered: it opened doors to complex parts rather than locking him into “nice guy” casting. ²

Mid-2010s: The Character Actor’s Lane

Post NH10, Darshan appeared in Sarbjit (2016), Mirza Juuliet (2017), A Gentleman (2017), and Baaghi 2 (2018).

These years were about range and persistence, learning big-set dynamics, and working with a variety of directors and co-stars. The roles varied in size and visibility, but the filmography kept growing.

The Streaming Era: Precision Roles that Landed

From 2019 onward, Darshan’s most widely discussed work arrived on OTT.

The Family Man (2019–2021): Major Sameer

In The Family Man, he portrayed Major Sameer a cool, strategic handler who often feels like a whisper behind the show’s geopolitical moves. The part is notable not for theatrics but for calm menace and intent.

Even with limited screen time in stretches, the character leaves an imprint because of how quietly he tilts the stakes.

Avrodh: The Siege Within (2020): Major Raunaq Gautam

On SonyLIV’s Avrodh, Darshan played Major Raunaq (Raunak) Gautam of the Bihar Regiment. The series revisits the 2016 Uri events and surgical strikes.

Indian Express singled out his character notes: a determined yet sentimental soldier, a family man who brings heart into the military framework of the story. As a performance, it’s physical, procedural, and grounded.³

Aashram (2020–2025): SI Ujagar Singh

Perhaps his most emotionally resonant streaming turn is SI Ujagar Singh in Prakash Jha’s Aashram. As a cop navigating power, faith, and fear while seeking justice against a godman’s empire, Darshan had to wear frustration, courage, and vulnerability often in the same episode.

As the show expanded, he spoke publicly about Ujagar’s “battle for justice” and the system that shields the powerful remarks that echoed the character’s steady evolution.⁴

Streaming broadened Darshan’s audience beyond theatrical Friday crowds. It also let him experiment with long-form character arcs something a theatre-trained actor thrives on.

The Kashmir Files (2022): A National Conversation

In Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files, Darshan played Krishna Pandit, a college student from a Kashmiri Pandit family who confronts suppressed family history.

Whatever your reading of the film’s politics, there’s no denying its cultural footprint: it was a commercial smash and sparked debates across media, campuses, and living rooms.

Darshan’s part became a focal point for viewers trying to process the film’s emotional pitch. The role earned him a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In interviews, he described carrying the weight of the material, saying it was one of his most taxing roles. He also defended the film against critics by inviting people to watch before judging.

Those responses, like the performance, were measured but firm consistent with the professional persona he’s built. ⁵

Also Read: Amit Sadh Bio, Age, Career, Movies, Net Worth, Family & More

Recent and Notable Work

Dhokha: Round D Corner (2022)

A compact thriller where Darshan played ACP Harishchandra Malik, Dhokha gave him a law-and-order canvas again, this time with noirish turns.

It isn’t as widely watched as his major-headline projects, but it strengthened his association with tense, twisty material.

Kaagaz 2 (2024)

In 2024, Darshan appeared in Kaagaz 2, a film that drew attention in part for being one of Satish Kaushik’s final releases. Darshan’s role added to his 2020s run of realistic, issue-tinted narratives.

The Bengal Files (2025)

Trade listings and filmographies have The Bengal Files slated for 2025 with Darshan attached. As with any in-production title, final credits and release specifics can shift, but it has kept his name in conversations around topical dramas.⁶

Acting Style and Craft

Theatre imprint. Years with Sahej Theatre Group and Motley under Naseeruddin Shah gave Darshan a strong base in diction, posture, and listening traits that serve him well in close-up heavy streaming shows.

You often see him “receive” a scene first: observe, hold a thought, and then respond, which keeps interactions lifelike rather than melodramatic.

Range within realism. He isn’t a scenery-chewer. Whether he’s the steadfast husband in Mary Kom or the antagonist in NH10, the dial rarely goes to eleven.

That’s by choice. He tends to favor realistic volume and moral grey zones, which is why he slots naturally into series like The Family Man and Aashram.

Physical restraint. In uniformed roles military or police his body language leans economical: squared shoulders, controlled gaze, minimal hand movement. That restraint sells competence without grandstanding.

Language and cadence. Delhi roots and theatre training make his Hindi and Punjabi-tinged cadences sound lived-in when scripts call for it. He can shift to neutral metro Hindi for contemporary settings a useful skill in pan-India productions.

Awards and Recognition

• IIFA Award (2016): Best Performance in a Negative Role for NH10. This remains a highlight in his early film career and helped broaden the parts offered to him.

• Filmfare (2023 cycle): Nomination for Best Supporting Actor for The Kashmir Files, a nod that reflected the film’s reach and his performance’s impact within an ensemble.

Apart from awards, Darshan’s recognition is also audience-driven. Aashram fans, for example, often cite Ujagar Singh as the moral anchor of a show packed with larger-than-life characters, something Darshan himself has spoken about while reflecting on the character’s journey.⁷

Personal Life and Social Presence

Darshan keeps his personal life low-profile. Public interviews and official profiles focus on his work, training, and roles rather than relationships or family details.

On social media especially Instagram his feed is largely professional: behind-the-scenes, character posters, gym glimpses, and gratitude notes to directors and co-actors. It’s consistent with his image as a “director’s actor” disciplined and collaborative.

That said, he has occasionally shared about his roots, speaking of Kishangarh and Delhi with fondness. He also engages with fans around major releases and series drops, acknowledging the messages that come with each new turn.

Filmography

• Early/Cameo: Tere Naam (2003) – early appearance.

• Lead/Key Roles:

  • Mary Kom (2014) – Onler Kom (breakthrough opposite Priyanka Chopra).

  • NH10 (2015) – antagonist; IIFA win (2016).

  • Sarbjit (2016) – supporting.

  • Mirza Juuliet (2017), A Gentleman (2017), Baaghi 2 (2018).

  • PM Narendra Modi (2019) – cameo/supporting.

  • Toofaan (2021) – special appearance.

  • The Kashmir Files (2022) – Krishna Pandit (Filmfare nomination).

  • Dhokha: Round D Corner (2022) – ACP Harishchandra Malik.

  • Kaagaz 2 (2024).

  • The Bengal Files (2025) – slated/credited in filmographies.

Television and Web Series

• Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev (2011–2014) – Shukracharya.

• Parchhayee: Ghost Stories by Ruskin Bond (2019) – “Leo” in an episode (ZEE5).

• The Family Man (2019–2021) – Major Sameer (Amazon).

• Avrodh: The Siege Within (2020) – Major Raunaq/Raunak Gautam (SonyLIV).

• Aashram (2020–2025) – SI/Inspector Ujagar Singh (MX Player).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Darshan Kumaar (@darshankumaar)

FAQ’s

1) What is Darshan Kumaar’s real name and where is he from?

His birth name is Darshan Gandas. He is from Kishangarh near Mehrauli in South Delhi, India. He uses Darshan Kumaar as his professional/stage name.

2) How old is he?

He was born on 1 September 1986, which makes him 39 years old as of 16 October 2025.

3) How did he start acting?

He trained in theatre, performing with Sahej Theatre Group for several years and later with Motley, Naseeruddin Shah’s company. That theatre base shaped his screen craft.

4) What was his breakthrough role?

Mary Kom (2014), where he played Onler Kom opposite Priyanka Chopra. The film brought him wide visibility.

5) Which role won him a major award?

His antagonist turn in NH10 (2015) won the IIFA Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role (2016).

6) What are his standout OTT performances?

Major Sameer in The Family Man (Amazon), Major Raunaq Gautam in Avrodh (SonyLIV), and SI Ujagar Singh in Aashram (MX Player).

7) Did The Kashmir Files change his career?

Yes. Playing Krishna Pandit amplified his fame and earned him a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film itself became a cultural flashpoint and a box-office hit, keeping him in the national conversation.

8) Is Darshan Kumaar married?

He keeps his personal life private. Public profiles and interviews focus on his work, and he does not routinely share relationship details.

9) How tall is he?

His height is listed around 1.70 m (approx.) on widely used industry databases.

10) What are his recent or upcoming projects?

In 2024 he appeared in Kaagaz 2. Industry listings also credit him in The Bengal Files (2025). Keep an eye on official announcements for updates.

Career Timeline

• Pre-2010s: Theatre (Sahej → Motley), early appearances, TV roles build familiarity.

• 2014: Mary Kom—breakthrough as Onler Kom.

• 2015: NH10—negative role; IIFA win (2016).

• 2016–2018: Character roles across films; consolidates craft.

• 2019–2021: Streaming recognition in The Family Man; Parchhayee.

• 2020: Avrodh—Major Raunaq Gautam.

• 2020–2025: Aashram—SI Ujagar Singh; public praise for understated intensity.

• 2022: The Kashmir Files—Filmfare nomination.

• 2022: Dhokha: Round D Corner—ACP Harishchandra Malik.

• 2024–2025: Kaagaz 2; The Bengal Files (listed).

Conclusion

Darshan Kumaar’s path is a working actor’s blueprint for longevity in modern Hindi entertainment: a theatre-forged foundation, patience through smaller parts, a well-timed breakthrough, and a willingness to embrace streaming’s nuanced writing.

He can be the supportive partner, the silent operator, the conflicted cop, or the man in moral freefall without slipping into cliché. That’s why directors across films and OTT keep calling.

With a balanced slate issue-driven dramas, thrillers, and uniformed roles Darshan looks set to continue as one of the dependable performers whose work you may not always shout about, but invariably trust.

Also Read: Sharib Hashmi’s Bio, Career, Family, Movies, Net Worth and More

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. marathibio
3. indianexpress
4. peepingmoon
5. indiatoday.in
6. iifa
7. bollywoodhungama