Avinash Tiwary (born 15 August 1985) is an Indian actor who works inHindi films and series. He had his first major roles in the television seriesYudh (2014) and in the filmTu Hai Mera Sunday (2016). He gained recognition for starring in the romanceLaila Majnu (2018) and the supernatural filmBulbbul (2020).[2][3] Tiwary has received praises for starring in the crime seriesKhakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022),Bambai Meri Jaan (2023) andKaala (2023), the comedy filmMadgaon Express (2024), and the heist thrillerSikandar Ka Muqaddar (2024).[4]
Tiwary was born on 15 August inGopalganj,Bihar.[1][5] His family relocated toMumbai, a few years after his birth.[6] Tiwary completed school from The D.P.Y.A. High School and engineering inMumbai. In order to pursue acting, he quit engineering studies in the fourth semester and joined theater. He joinedBarry John acting studio and later went toNew York Film Academy. He started appearing in short films since 2005.[7]
In theater, he worked withOm Katare, an established artist. After his stint at the New York Film Academy, he started his career with the documentary,Anamika: Her Glorious Past, in 2006. In 2009, he worked in the film,Suno Na.. Ek Nanhi Aawaz, marking his Hindi film debut alongsideTara Sharma.[8] In 2014, Tiwary worked alongsideAmitabh Bachchan andAahana Kumra in the TV seriesYudh, where he played an antagonist, Advocate Ajatshatru.[9] Avinash had his first major role in the 2016 Milind Dhaimade's directorial debut,Tu Hai Mera Sunday, which revolves around the lives of five friends. He played Rashid oppositeRasika Dugal.[10] The film had its world premiere at the 60thBFI London Film Festival and received positive critical acclaim.[11] In his review forNDTV, Raja Sen found Tiwary to be "wiry and likeable".[12]
In 2017, Avinash signedImtiaz Ali's romantic movie,Laila Majnu, after auditioning for it in December 2015.[13] The film tells the classic story ofLaila and Majnu, set in contemporary times, he played Majnu oppositeTripti Dimri's Laila. Tiwary underwent major physical transformation for the role and received critical acclaim for the film.[14][15] Devesh Sharma fromFilmfare noted, "Avinash shares sparkling chemistry with Tripti, and has acted like a force of nature in the film. You can only see Majnu near the end and not the actor."[16] He later signed a three-film deal withBalaji Motion Pictures in 2019.[17]
In 2022, Tiwary's career saw a turning point with his web debut in theNeeraj Pandey's seriesKhakee: The Bihar Chapter.[25][26] Based on true event, he played Chandan, a lower-caste truck driver, part of theAshok Mahto gang.[27] Rahul Desai ofFilm Companion stated, "Avinash Tiwary does a good job as the dacoit-styled baddie, but his character is hampered by a script that puts effect over any real reading of human nature."[28] In the same year, he played a married man Inder, opposite Mrunal Thakur in the short filmJahaan.Times of India's Archika Khurana praised Tiwary and Thakur's chemistry.[29]
Tiwary appeared in two crime thriller series in 2023. He first appeared inExcel Entertainment'sBambai Meri Jaan, alongsideKay Kay Menon.[30] He played Dara Kadri, a character based onDawood Ibrahim. Anuj Kumar ofThe Hindu opined, "Avinash's journey is more internal and at times his brooding intensity becomes a little too much but overall he provides a competent counterpoint to Kay Kay".[31] InKaala he played Ritwik, an IB officer.[32]Deepa Gahlot was critical of his "half-baked" character.[33] Both these series proved crucial for Tiwary and earned him recognition.[34][35]
In 2024, Tiwary played Ayush, one of the three friends stuck inGoa, inKunal Khemu's directorial debut, the comedy filmMadgaon Express.[36] Mayur Sanap fromRediff.com noted, "Avinash Tiwary takes a little while to warm up to his role, but when he finally gets there, it works really well".[37] Pratikshya Mishra ofThe Quint opined, "Avinash flips the idea of the 'hunk' in Bollywood by playing Ayush with a charm that makes him even more attractive".[38] Later that year, he played the title role inNeeraj Pandey's crime drama filmSikandar Ka Muqaddar, which released on Netflix.[39]
Harsh B.H. fromFilm Companion said that since his debut Tiwary has teetered between "recognition and invisibility".[40] Vrutika Shah ofHello! India stated, "It’s characteristic of talented performers like Tiwary to be known for their extremely convincing portrayal of any role they slip into."[41] Prateek Sur ofOutlook India said, "Tiwary is one such actor who has not only caught the attention of audiences but has also left an indelible mark in the film industry."[42] His performance inLaila Majnu, is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" byFilm Companion.[43] In 2020, he was placed 49th inTimes Most Desirable Men list.[44]
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