Darsheel Safary (born 9 March 1997) is an Indian actor who appears in Hindi, Gujarati films and television. Safary made his film debut with the leading role of a dyslexic student in Aamir Khan's directorial debut, the critically acclaimed drama Taare Zameen Par (2007), for which he won the Filmfare critic's Award for Best Actor.

Darsheel Safary
Darsheel Safary at the Mumbai Juniorthon
Born (1997-03-09) 9 March 1997 (age 27) [1]
OccupationActor
Years active2007–present
Notable workTaare Zameen Par

Career

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Born into a Gujarati Jain family, Safary made his acting debut in Taare Zameen Par (2007),[2] playing the film's protagonist Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi. Safary was discovered by script writer and creative director, Amol Gupte in late 2006 when he was looking for a male lead for Taare Zameen Par. After going through hundreds of auditions, Gupte found Safary at Shiamak Davar's dancing school, "Summer Funk". In choosing Safary, Gupte had a number of boys audition for a scene in which they would informally describe how they would "bunk" school after being given a few scenarios. He recalls, "It was a tough call. But Darsheel has the mischief in his eyes to be Ishaan. Everyone just naturally gravitated towards him."[3]

Safary's performance as a struggling dyslexic child was praised by film critics.[4][5] He won several awards for his performance. Taran Adarsh from indiaFM called Safary a "Master" and stated his performance merited a special award.[6] Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN wrote, "Darsheel Safary steals your heart as Ishaan Awasthi. Darsheel is a revelation as an actor, he's spontaneous and lovable and carries this film completely on his shoulders".[7] Other reviewers called Safary the "real star of the film"[8] and his performance as "brilliant".[9] In a 2007 interview, Safary stated that his career plans may include singing, dancing, becoming a businessman or jewellery designer.[10]

His second film Bumm Bumm Bole came in 2010 and according to some sources he was paid ₹ 3 lakh, the highest amount paid to any child actor at the time.[11] He did two more films, Disney India's superhero film Zokkomon (2011) and Deepa Mehta's Midnight's Children (2012).[12][13]

In 2012, he participated in dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa with Avneet Kaur as his dance partner, but was eliminated and came in seventh position.[14] He took a break from acting to focus on studies.[15]

In 2016, he played the role of Abhay in the anthology series Yeh Hai Aashiqui.[16] He then appeared in 2023 Hindi sports drama film, Hukus Bukus.[15] and Gujarati film, Kutch Express (film).[15]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2007 Taare Zameen Par Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics)
Nominated–Filmfare Award for Best Actor
[4]
2010 Bumm Bumm Bole Pinu (Pinakin) [11]
2011 Zokkomon Kunal/Zokkomon [12]
2012 Midnight's Children Saleem Sinai [13]
2022 Capital A Small A Aadi Short [17]
2023 Kutch Express Avinash Gujarati film [18]
2023 Hukus Bukus Arjun [19]
2023 Ho Ja Mukt Vikram MX player
TBA Sitaare Zameen Par TBA [20]

Television

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Year Title Role
2011 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Himself
2012 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 Contestant
2015 Lage Raho Chachu Himself
2016 Yeh Hai Aashiqui – Sun Yaar Try Maar[21] Abhay
2021 Butterflies Sharan

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Aadha Ishq Jazz [22]

Music videos

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Year Title Singer Label Notes
2020 Pyaar Naal Vibhor Prashar Desi Music Factory [23]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Film Result Source
2008 Filmfare Awards Best Actor Taare Zameen Par Nominated [24]
Best Actor (Critics) Won [25]
Zee Cine Awards Best Actor (Critics) Won [26]
Most Promising Debut (Best Child Artist) Won
Star Screen Awards Special Jury Award Won [27]
V. Shantaram Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role Won [26]

References

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  1. ^ "Darsheel Safary: Want to explore the darker side of characters". 8 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Meet Darsheel Safary: Taare Zameen Par's child actor is now all grown up". The Indian Express. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  3. ^ Vij, Gauri (3 February 2008). "A leap of faith". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  4. ^ a b Shahryar, Faridoon (27 December 2007). "Darsheel deserves National Award for Best Actor". IndiaFM. Archived from the original on 6 January 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  5. ^ Kelkar, Reshma (12 January 2008). "Darsheel Safary is best newcomer of the year!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  6. ^ Adarsh Taran (21 December 2007). "Taare Zameen Par review". IndiaFM. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  7. ^ Masand, Rajeev (21 December 2007). "Taare Zameen Par may change your life". IBN-CNN. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  8. ^ Pandohar, Jaspreet (18 December 2007). "Taare Zameen Par (2007)". BBC. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
  9. ^ Bhaskaran, Gautaman (31 January 2008). "Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2008.
  10. ^ Rao, Girish (26 December 2007). "I want to be an actor, singer and dancer". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  11. ^ a b "Darsheel is highest-paid child actor". Hindustan Times. 13 May 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Meet the youngest superhero in the world". Rediff.
  13. ^ a b Hungama, Bollywood (31 March 2011). "Darsheel Safary to star in Deepa Mehta's adaptation of Midnight's Children : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama.
  14. ^ "I do not want leniency from judges: Darsheel Safary". NDTV.com.
  15. ^ a b c "Darsheel Safary on Moving Away from Films After 'Taare Zameen Par': I Took a Conscious Break to Focus on My Education".
  16. ^ "Darsheel Safary of Taare Zameen Par fame to play a teenager smitten by love in new TV show". 12 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Taare Zameen Par fame Darsheel Safary makes comeback with Capital A small a, watch trailer". 14 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Darsheel Safary reveals sleeping through 'two-three' screenings of Taare Zameen Par: 'I was a shameless child'". Hindustan Times. 24 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Taare Zameen Par actor Darsheel Safary in Hukus Bukus plays a diehard fan of Sachin Tendulkar". Film Companion. 9 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Aamir Khan, Darsheel Safary reunite after 16 years. Is it for 'Sitaare Zameen Par'?". India Today. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Lovebirds Rithvik Dhanjani and Asha Negi launch the new season of Yeh Hai Aashiqui". India Today.
  22. ^ "Aamna Sharif, Gaurav Arora, Kunal Roy Kapur to star in Voot Select's Aadha Ishq, a tale of forbidden love". India Today.
  23. ^ "Check Out New Punjabi Trending Song Music Video - 'Pyar Naal' Sung By Vibhor Parashar | Punjabi Video Songs - Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  24. ^ Bollywood Hungama News Network (23 February 2008). "Winners of 53rd Fair One Filmfare Awards". IndiaFM. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
  25. ^ Bollywood Hungama News Network (6 February 2008). "Nominees – 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards". IndiaFM. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
  26. ^ a b Bollywood Hungama News Network (27 April 2008). "Winners of the Zee Cine Awards 2008". IndiaFM. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  27. ^ "TZP wins V Shantaram award for Best Film". www.hindustantimes.com. 28 January 2009.
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