Aasif Sheikh – Hindi actor best known for comedy sitcoms, ‘Yes Boss’ and ‘Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai!’

Aasif Sheikh is a successful television actor who earned immense popularity through the sitcoms, ‘Yes Boss’ and ‘Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai!’ in which he played pivot roles. He is also an experienced stage actor associated with Indian People’s Theatre Association, Mumbai since 1980s, and has done brief roles in Bollywood since mid-1980s. He started his acting career with India’s first TV series, Hum Log in 1984. In 2019 he played a noted role of Babli – Kashmira Irani’s husband (Salman Khan’s brother-in-law) Bharat where he delivered a few one-liners.

Aasif Sheikh was born in Delhi and during his younger days he spent a lot of time in his ancestral home at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He started his professional career with theatre, following his brief role as Prince Ajay Singh in Hum Log aired during 1984-1985, and marked his Bollywood debut with Aag Aur Shola in 1986. Though he is active in Bollywood since then, as an actor he earned recognition playing the pivot role of boss in the popular sitcom of SAB TV, Yes Boss which was aired during 1999-2009. The role of flirtatious boss Vinod Verma who tries to woo his married employee Meera Srivastava (played by Kavitha Kapoor/Sonia Kapoor) was well received. His negative role in movie Karan Arjun, with the popular catchphrase ‘What a joke’ also got noticed.

Though he had made a comeback to small screen with Zee Horror Show in 1993 and has been active in small screen throughout 1990s, Yes Boss gave him the breakthrough as an actor, and also meaty roles on big screen and small screen. Currently he plays lead role in Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! which received Best Actor (Comedy) at ITA Awards twice. He was seen in Bollywood films like Bharat, Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami, Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar, Jodi No: 1, Paheli, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha, I – Proud To Be An Indian, Swarg Jaisaa Ghar, Kartavya, Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, Karan Arjun, Mrityudaata, Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Deewane, Bandhan, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, Pardesi Babu etc.

Aasif Sheikh – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He acted in India’s first TV show, Hum Log. The role was first meant for actor Ram Kapoor of Bade Ache Lagte Hain fame, who was to mark TV debut with the show.

2. He loved super heroes during his childhood days, and used to dress as his favourite heroes and roam around in the colony.

3. He was an athlete who wished to become a cricketer or springboard diver. But an injury changed everything.

4. As a theatre actor he has shared stage space with Poonam Dhillon in U-Turn and has been a part of stage plays like Kabuliwala, Aakhri Shama etc.

5. He is the family friend of Salman Khan since 1990s and has shared screen space with Salman Khan and his siblings in many movies. He was a part of Salman movies such as Bharat, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar, Auzar, Karan Arjun, Bandhan, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha etc. Interestingly his first role in Karan Arjun and recent role in Bharat became popular.

6. He played his first lead role in 1991 film, Yaara Dildara. Though the film went unnoticed, its romantic track Bin Tere Sanam Mar Mitenge Hum featuring him and debutant Ruchika Panday is still loved by music fans, and has been remixed several times.

Young actor in the popular ‘Bin Tere Sanam’ song

7. He holds a graduation degree in hotel management.

8. Known to be star of sitcoms, his fans are known as ‘Aasifans’.