Jaideep Ahlawat

Jaideep Ahlawat (born 8 February 1980) is an Indian actor renowned for his versatile performances in Hindi cinema and digital series. He hails from Kharkara in the Rohtak district of Haryana, where his early fascination with theatre was eclipsed by an initial ambition to join the Indian Army—a dream that faded after multiple SSB interview setbacks, prompting him to pursue acting instead. After completing his schooling at Government High School, Kharkara, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Jat College, Rohtak, followed by an MA in English from Maharshi Dayanand University in 2005, and finally polished his craft at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), graduating in 2008 alongside peers such as Rajkummar Rao and Vijay Varma. Ahlawat entered the Bollywood arena without industry patronage, taking on minor roles and stage performances across Punjab and Haryana before his breakthrough came with a negative character in Priyadarshan’s Khatta Meetha (2010) and a supporting part in Aakrosh (2010). His portrayal of a gritty henchman in Anurag Kashyap’s cult classic Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) marked a turning point, earning him critical notice and leading to further work in both Hindi and Tamil productions, including Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam (2012) and its sequel. The actor’s mainstream appeal expanded with roles in Raees (2017) and Raazi (2018), but it was his commanding performance as Hathi Ram Chaudhary in the neo‑noir web series Paatal Lok (2020) that secured him three Filmfare OTT Awards and solidified his status as a leading digital‑era talent. Subsequent projects such as An Action Hero (2022), Jaane Jaan (2023), and the critically praised Maharaj (2024) have showcased his range, earning additional nominations and awards. In 2025 he appeared opposite Saif Ali Khan in the Netflix film Jewel Thief, demonstrating his continued relevance across mediums. Throughout his career, Jaideep Ahlawat has been celebrated for his intense screen presence, dedication to craft, and ability to embody complex, often morally ambiguous characters.