Apurva Agnihotri – Hindi actor best known for his appearance in TV soap, ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’

Apurva Agnihotri is a Hindi film and television actor, best known for his appearance in TV soap, ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’ and Shah Rukh Khan starrer Bollywood film, Pardes. His supporting role as Lisa Ray’s lawyer friend in crime thriller “Kasoor” also got noticed. His supporting roles in Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin, Krodh, Hum Ho Gaye Aapke, Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai, Dhund and Lakeer also got noticed. He gained recognition through small screen and has appeared in more than 12 TV soaps, Bigg Boss 7 as a contestant and a couple of web series in the recent times. TV actress Shilpa Saklani- co-star of ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’ is his wife.

Subhash Ghai’s Pardes gave him first break to acting

Apurva Agnihotri was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh in 1972. His higher education was completed in Mumbai. He started his career in modelling which landed him in movies and TV shows. Subhash Ghai’s Pardes (1997) gave him first break to movies. He played Mahima Chaudhry’s fiancée in the movie, who also joined film field as debutant after a successful career in modelling. The movie was a huge success and Apurva’s role with negative shades gave him a nomination at Zee Cine Awards in Best Supporting Actor category.

He failed to retain his success streak in movies

Though he got a magical entry to Bollywood, his journey afterwards was not so easy. His good looks and sweet smile didn’t gain him much from industry. His sweet and lovable role as a silent lover and friend in Kasoor was appreciated. However he failed to get good roles at regular intervals, and had to satisfy with supporting roles, a few with grey shades. Lakeer – his 8^th movie in 2004 was his last theatre release, after which he said good bye to films and moved to television.

He gained popularity through small screen roles

He got a major break to television with the top rated show of the season, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, where he played the boss Armaan Suri. He was paired with lead actress of the show Mona Singh, who transformed into a diva in the second half of the series. Their screen pairing was well appreciated and he got more offers from television which he accepted.

Later he played meaty and memorable roles in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara, Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh, Saubhagyalaxmi, Bidai, Bepannah etc. He also played a few cameo roles and appeared as a contestant in a few reality shows. In 2018 he marked his web series debut with Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain, and later made a cameo appearance opposite Mona Singh in Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain 2, his co-star in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.

Apurva Agnihotri – Some interesting and less-known facts

Apurva Agnihotri and his wife Shilpa Saklani

1. Though he managed to make a mark through both his debut movie and TV series, he couldn’t cash in on the success in true means.

2. In 2005 he received Indian Telly Awards for best male actor for his lead role in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.

3. He was paired with Mahima Chaudhry in his first two releases – Pardes and Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin, and both were love triangles.

4. He mostly appeared in romantic love triangles in Bollywood, which include his most popular roles – Pardes and Kasoor. Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin and Hum Ho Gaye Aap Ke are among the commercial failures, tagged as love triangles.

5. “Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain” from Pardes, “Abhi To Mohabbat Ka” from Hum Ho Gaye Aap Ke and “Koi To Saathi Chahiye” from Kasoor are top Bollywood songs filmed on Apurva Agnihotri.

6. He, along with his wife was arrested in a high profile rave party in 2012. It was held at Oakwood Premier Hotel in Juhu, and the couple was among those who were tested positive for drugs.

7. Apurva Agnihotri and Shilpa Saklani appeared as contestants in the first season of Nach Baliye in 2005, one year after marriage. They also contested together in the 7th season of Bigg Boss.

8. While he was an inmate at Bigg Boss House, he shaved off his hair to win a task, which shocked everyone.

9. Both Apurva and his wife had a brief unsuccessful career in Bollywood before completely switching to television, where they gained fame and popularity.