# Nikitin Dheer

Nikitin Dheer is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi and Telugu films, and Hindi television. Dheer made his acting debut in 2008 with the film Jodhaa Akbar. He is best known for portraying Astika in Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha (2016-2017) and Ravana in Shrimad Ramayan (2024). Dheer has appeared in successful films such as Ready (2011), Chennai Express (2013), Kanche (2015), Shershaah (2021) and Sooryavanshi (2021), and the series Indian Police Force (2024).

## Acting career

Dheer made his acting debut in 2008 with Ashutosh Gowariker's historical drama Jodhaa Akbar, in which he co-starred alongside Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, as Sharifuddin Hussain, Akbar's brother-in-law. While the film earned critical appreciation and box office success, Dheer received praise for his role, with noted critic Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama mentioning him as "fantastic". The same year he acted alongside Vivek Oberoi, Shriya Saran and Zayed Khan in Apoorva Lakhia's unremarkable action thriller Mission Istaanbul.
In 2011, Dheer appeared in Anees Bazmee's comedy Ready, alongside Salman Khan and Asin. The following year, he had a supporting role in Arbaaz Khan's action film Dabangg 2 alongside Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Prakash Raj. In 2013, he featured as the primary antagonist in Rohit Shetty's action comedy Chennai Express with Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. For his role as Tangaballi, a dreaded Tamil goon, Dheer was asked to gain more muscle and work on his accent. His physique in the film was received warmly; Mohar Basu noted that Dheer is "robust" although "hardly has a role enough to perform".

## Early life

Dheer is Punjabi and is the son of actor Pankaj Dheer.

## Personal life

Dheer married actress Kratika Sengar on 3 September 2014 in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony, in Mumbai. Sengar gave birth to their daughter, Devika, on 12 May 2022.

## Filmography
### Films

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
* All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 2008 | Jodhaa Akbar | Sharifuddin Hussain | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Mission Istaanbul | Al Gazni | Hindi | |
| 2011 | Ready | Aryan Chaudhary | Hindi | |
| 2012 | Dabangg 2 | Chunni | Hindi | |
| 2013 | Chennai Express | Thangaballi | Hindi | |
| 2015 | Kanche | Eeshwar Prasad | Telugu | |
| 2016 | Housefull 3 | Rohan Patel | Hindi | |
| 2016 | Freaky Ali | Danger Bhai | Hindi | |
| 2017 | Goutham Nanda | Gowda | Telugu | |
| 2017 | Mister | Rahul Wadayar | Telugu | |
| 2018 | Paak | Waqaar | Hindi | |
| 2021 | Shershaah | Ajay "Jassi" Singh Jasrotia | Hindi | |
| 2021 | Sooryavanshi | Mukhtar Ansari / Vivek Shastri | Hindi | |
| 2021 | Antim: The Final Truth | Daya Bagare | Hindi | |
| 2022 | Khiladi | Bala Singham | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Cirkus | Dev Chauhan | Hindi | Cameo appearance |
| 2024 | Martin | Mushtaq | Kannada | |
| 2025 | Housefull 5 † | TBA | Hindi | Filming |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2011 | Dwarkadheesh Bhagwan Shree Krishn | Kalayavana |
| 2014 | Fear Files | Himself (Narrator) | |
| 2014 | Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 5 | Contestant | 2nd runner-up |
| 2016–2017 | Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha | Astika | |
| 2017–2018 | Ishqbaaaz | Dr. Veer Singh Oberoi | |
| 2019 | Naagin 3 | Huqum | |
| 2024 | Shrimad Ramayan | Ravana | |

### Web series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2020–2022 | Raktanchal | Waseem Khan | 2 seasons |
| 2024 | Indian Police Force | Rana Virk | |
| TBA | Rakt Brahmand † | TBA | Filming |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2009 | Stardust Awards | The New Menace | Jodhaa Akbar | Won |
| 2014 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Chennai Express | Nominated |
| 2024 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Shrimad Ramayan | Won |