Saqib Saleem (born 29 March 1988) is an Indian actor who works primarily in Hindi-language cinema. He began his career as a model before transitioning to acting, making his film debut with a supporting role in the romantic comedy Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge (2011). Saleem subsequently appeared in a number of commercial and independent projects, gaining recognition for his performances in Mere Dad Ki Maruti (2013), Dedh Ishqiya (2014), Dishoom (2016), and Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017).
Early life and education
Saleem was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, to a family of Punjabi descent. He completed his schooling in Mumbai and pursued higher education at St. Xavier's College, where he earned a degree in commerce.
Career
- Modeling (2008–2010): Prior to acting, Saleem worked as a fashion model, featuring in advertising campaigns and runway shows.
- Film debut: His first major film role was as Zafar Khan in Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, a youth-oriented romantic drama directed by Rohan Sippy.
- Subsequent roles: Saleem's next notable performance came as Gaurav Shekhawat in Mere Dad Ki Maruti, a comedy that performed modestly at the box office. He later portrayed a supporting character in Vishal Bhardwaj’s period film Dedh Ishqiya (2014), and played a lead role in Dishoom (2016), an action comedy opposite John Abraham.
- Television and web series: In addition to films, Saleem has appeared in television commercials and web series, including the digital platform original The World’s End (2022).
Personal life
Saleem is known to maintain a low-profile personal life. Publicly available information indicates he is an avid traveler and fitness enthusiast.
Recognition
While Saleem has not yet received major national film awards, his performances have been noted by critics for their versatility, particularly in balancing comedic and dramatic roles.
Filmography (selected)
- Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge (2011) – Zafar Khan
- Mere Dad Ki Maruti (2013) – Gaurav Kailash Singh
- Dedh Ishqiya (2014) – Karan Kumar
- Dishoom (2016) – Jignesh Patel
- Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017) – Saif
- The World’s End (2022) – Web series, lead role
See also
- Bollywood cinema
- Indian male models
References
- Film credits listed in publicly released movie databases.
- Interviews and profiles published in Indian entertainment media outlets.