Arif Zakaria Biography: Age, Movies, Web Series, Net Worth, Height, Wife, Parents, Career

Arif Zakaria is a distinguished Indian actor and producer, renowned for his versatile roles in Hindi and English films, television, and theater.

With a career spanning over three decades, he has made significant contributions to both mainstream and offbeat cinema, earning critical acclaim for his performances in films like Darmiyaan and Raazi.

Profile

• Full Name: Arif Zakaria
• Stage Name: Arif Zakaria
• Born: November 11, 1966
• Age: 58 years old
• Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Actor, Producer, Theatre Artist
• Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m)
• Parents: Zakaria Ahmed (father)
• Siblings: Asif Zakaria
• Spouse: Namrata Sharma (m. 2002, div. 2010)
• Children: Aimaan Zakaria (son)
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $2 million to $40 million USD

Early Life and Education

Arif Zakaria was born on November 11, 1966, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, into a Konkani Muslim family.

His father, Zakaria Ahmed, was part of a politically active family, with his uncle Rafiq Zakaria serving as a veteran Indian National Congress politician and deputy to Indira Gandhi, and his brother Asif Zakaria also an INC politician.

His cousin, Fareed Zakaria, is a well-known Indian-American journalist.

Arif grew up in Mumbai, attending the Cathedral and John Connon School.

He graduated with a degree from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai, where he began his acting journey through theater, performing in over 700 shows worldwide.

Career

Arif Zakaria started his career as a theater artist during college, performing in productions like the Australian musical The Merchants of Bollywood (2005–2010), touring Europe, China, France, Poland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia.

His television debut came in 1987 with the DD National serial Chunauti, followed by roles in Karambhoomi, Mrityudand, Dhund, Aarzoo, Campus, Kaali – Ek Agnipariksha, Adalat, Savdhaan India, Leila, Shoorveer, Qubool Hai 2.0, Avrodh: The Siege Within, and Amanat.

His film debut was in Darmiyaan: In Between (1997), playing a transvestite role originally offered to Shahrukh Khan, earning a National Film Award nomination.

Notable film roles include Rustom Sethna in Deepa Mehta’s 1947: Earth (1998), Major Dhillon in Shyam Benegal’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005), and a ghostly piano teacher in Vikram Bhatt’s Haunted 3D (2011).

He has appeared in Bollywood films like My Name Is Khan (2010), Krrish 3 (2013, as a nuclear scientist), Lootera (2013, as a Kolkata-based gangster), Raazi (2018), and War (2019).

Other projects include Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), Dance Like a Man (2004, English), Pinti Ka Sabun (2015, producer), and Ahaan (2021).

He starred in the web series Spotlight (2017) as Dev Bannerjee and the short film Aamad (2017).

Arif also performs in the play Gardish Mein Taare, based on Guru Dutt’s life, and is slated for an English film, Swords and Sceptres, about the Rani of Jhansi.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @arifzakaria1111

Personal Life

Arif Zakaria, a 58-year-old actor, was married to Namrata Sharma, a fashion writer and columnist at Mumbai Mirror, from 2002 until their divorce in 2010.

They have a son, Aimaan Zakaria. Currently single, Arif maintains a low-profile personal life, focusing on his career.

A practicing Muslim, he enjoys traveling, a hobby reflected in his global theater tours, and practices martial arts.

He resides in Mumbai, is health-conscious, and has a physique of approximately 70 kg with dark brown eyes and black hair.

Arif has avoided major controversies and is admired for his dedication to diverse roles in film, television, and theater.

His cousin Fareed Zakaria and brother Asif Zakaria remain prominent in their respective fields, adding to the family’s public profile.

Filmography (Selected):

• Chunauti (1987) – Supporting Role (TV Serial)
• Darmiyaan: In Between (1997) – Emmi Begum (Hindi Film)
• 1947: Earth (1998) – Rustom Sethna (Hindi Film)
• Sangharsh (1999) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Mitti (2001) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Footpath (2003) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Deewaar (2004) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Dance Like a Man (2004) – Lead Role (English Film)
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005) – Major Dhillon (Hindi Film)
• Banaras (2006) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Tryst with Destiny (2007) – Short Film (English)
• My Name Is Khan (2010) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Haunted 3D (2011) – Ghostly Piano Teacher (Hindi Film)
• Jism 2 (2012) – Police Officer (Hindi Film)
• Lootera (2013) – Kolkata-based Gangster (Hindi Film)
• Krrish 3 (2013) – Dr. Varun Shetty (Hindi Film)
• Dee Saturday Night (2014) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Darr at the Mall (2014) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Blue Mountain (2014) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Nanak Shah Fakir (2015) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Ishq Forever (2015) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Pinti Ka Sabun (2015) – Producer (Hindi Film, Children’s)
• Spotlight (2017) – Dev Bannerjee (Web Series, Hindi)
• Aamad (2017) – Lead Role (Short Film, Hindi)
• Raazi (2018) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• War (2019) – Dr. Utpal Biswas (Hindi Film)
• Gul Makai (2020) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Ahaan (2021) – Ozzy (Hindi Film)
• 420 IPC (2021) – Sinha (Hindi Film)
• Sir Syed Ahmed Khan the Messiah: Volume 1 & 2 (2023) – Nawab Mehmood of Bijnore (Hindi Film)
• Freedom at Midnight (2024) – Supporting Role (Hindi Film)
• Swords and Sceptres (Upcoming) – Supporting Role (English Film)

Net Worth

Arif Zakaria’s estimated net worth ranges from $2 million to $40 million USD.

His income stems from acting in over 30 films, numerous television serials, and web series, as well as producing projects like Pinti Ka Sabun.

His global theater work with The Merchants of Bollywood and endorsements through platforms like Tring also contribute.