The “Circuit” of Munnabhai MBBS, ace actor and dancer Arshad Warsi celebrates 25 years in the industry today. Arshad Warsi started his career as an assistant director to Mahesh Bhatt in Kaash (1987), choreographed the title song of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993), before making his acting debut in the Amitabh Bachchan-produced Tere Mere Sapne (1996). His recent film Durgamati saw him in a villainous role and his debut on OTT with Asur have explored a side of the actor other than comedy. Though Hasse toh Phasse where he features with Boman Irani was a brilliant reality comedy show on Amazon Prime. Here is a look at some of his other memorable roles.
Tere Mere Sapne
The plot of the movie is broadly similar to Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper. Two boys are born on the same day. One is Rahul Mehta (Chandrachur Singh), born with a silver spoon in his mouth to a rich family in England; another is Baalu (Arshad Warsi), born in a middle-class Brahmin family somewhere in Mumbai. Both grow up until they are destined to exchange places on their 21st birthday. Warsi’s Aankh Maare song became a runaway hit in the movie.
Munnabhai MBBS series
If you didn’t know why was Circuit called so, it was because his full name is Sarkeshwar Sharma in the film and so “Circuit”. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra the film loosely resembles the 1998 American biographical comedy Patch Adams. It stars Sanjay Dutt, Gracy Singh and Arshad Warsi in lead roles while Boman Irani, Sunil Dutt and Rohini Hattangadi feature in supporting roles.
Based in Mumbai, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. follows Murliprasad Sharma (Sanjay), a goon nicknamed Munnabhai, who pretends to be a doctor upon the arrival of his parents. What follows is a hilarious tale of a goon with a heart of gold who relies on his man Friday Circuit for every small deed. The scene where Circuit steals a Chinaman’s body for Munnabhai is one of the most hilarious scenes in the film.
Golmaal series
The series directed by Rohit Shetty, with four installments to date star Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sanjay Mishra and Mukesh Tiwari, with Shreyas Talpade appearing in three and Kareena Kapoor and Kunal Khemu appearing in two of the four films. The first film also had 3 direct sequels:Golmaal Returns (2008), Golmaal 3 (2010) and Golmaal Again (2017). Warsi is a live-wire in the film and often gives into the wicked-funny moments.
Total Dhamaal
Directed and written by Indra Kumar and loosely based on the 1963 Hollywood film It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World , the film has an ensemble cast of Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh and Jaaved Jaaferi with supporting cast of Boman Irani, Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Pitobash Tripathy and Manoj Pahwa and special appearance of Sonakshi Sinha in song *Mungda*.The trio of Deshmukh, Warsi and Jaaferi was part of previous two installments and enliven the film with their constant banter.
Jolly LLB
The film revolves around the early life of lawyer Jagdish Tyagi a.k.a. Jolly (played by Warsi) and focuses on his attempt to earn six innocent wage earners their rights and his journey against the monopolistic behavior of the rich and judicial corruption. Warsi plays his role to perfection balancing the social outreach cause, the film depicts yet keeps up light with great comic timing.
Kabul Express
Directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, it was released on 15 December 2006. The film stars John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Pakistani actor Salman Shahid, Afghan actor Hanif Hum Ghum and American actress Linda Arsenio. According to Kabir Khan, Kabul Express is loosely based on his and his friend Rajan Kapoor’s experiences in post-Taliban Afghanistan. Warsi adds the much needed humour to an otherwise sombre film.
Salaam Namaste
Directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner, the film stars Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta Arshad Warsi, Tania Zaetta, Javed Jafferi and Jugal Hansraj . Released on 9 September 2005, it was the first Indian movie to be filmed entirely in Australia. Warsi plays Saif’s indulgent friend in the film and his interaction with his Australian girl-friend gives room for a few laughs in the movie.
Dedh Ishqiya
The black comedy directed by Abhishek Chaubey stars Arshad Warsi, Naseeruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit and Huma Qureshi. Produced by Raman Maroo of Shemaroo Entertainment and by Vishal Bharadwaj, it is a sequel of Ishqiya (2010). The film charts the lives of two wayside goons who rob people of their wealth and in this film are enraptured by a widowed queen like figure who appears wealthy to them. Warsi plays the rustic Babban and his banter with Khaalu ( Naseeruddin Shah) showcases some of the best enacted work in Hindi cinema seen today.
Here is what the Arshad Warsi tweeted today!
Today I completed 25 years in our wonderful film industry. This place has given me some of the most talented people as friends. I am and will always be eternally great full to ABCL, Mrs. Jaya Bachchan, Joy Augustine, fans who have loved me & all who gave me a chance-Thank you 🙏.
— Arshad Warsi (@ArshadWarsi) December 6, 2021