Shiney Ahuja Explained

Shiney Ahuja
Other Names:Shiney Suraj Ahuja[1]
Birth Date:1973 5, df=yes
Birth Place:New Delhi, India
Education:St. Xavier's School, Delhi
Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan
Alma Mater:Hansraj College
Nationality:Indian
Yearsactive:2003–2015
Spouse:[2]
Children:1

Shiney Suraj Ahuja (born 15 May 1973)[3] is an Indian actor in Bollywood films. He won the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award for Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2006 and then followed with several hit films like Gangster, Woh Lamhe, Life in a Metro, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Welcome Back.[4]

Early life

Ahuja was born on 15 May 1973 into a Punjabi[5] family in New Delhi, India. His mother is from Shimla, with her family originally from Sargoda and his father Suraj Ahuja, is from Sahiwal,[6] both in modern day Pakistan. His father was a lieutenant in the Indian Army. Ahuja studied at St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Delhi, and Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, and attended Hansraj College of Delhi University followed by R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore. Later, he joined the theatre group "TAG" where he met Barry John. Shortly thereafter, he joined John's acting school in Delhi.[7]

Career

After completing college, Ahuja secured his first commercial ad for Pepsi. This instantly brought him into consideration by the top ad agencies. Flooded with offers, he worked in over 40 ad films in that year, including Cadburys and Citibank. He also featured in the music video 'Pyar ho Gaya' for the British-Asian band "Stereo Nation."

Sudhir Mishra, who was auditioning for a film by Pritish Nandy Communications, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, saw Shiney in the Pepsi commercial and called him to audition for Kay Kay's character – Sidharth Tyabji. Upon his request, Mishra also auditioned him for the role of Vikram Malhotra. He was selected from over 200 aspirants for the role of Vikram Malhotra and made his acting debut in the film. The film went on to win critical acclaim, and was screened at as many as 12 film festivals over 6 months. These included film festivals at Turkey, Estonia, River to River (Florence), Berlin, Edinburgh, Washington, Dallas, India (Goa), Bite The Mango festival (Bradford, UK), the Commonwealth festival (Manchester), and the Pacific Rim festival (California). The film was released commercially in 2005 with minimal publicity but a national footprint across India. He received several best actor (debut) awards given for the year including Filmfare, Zee Cine, and Stardust.[8]

Thereafter, Ahuja played the lead role in Mahesh Bhatt's Gangster, a popular commercial movie genre and Woh Lamhe opposite Kangana Ranaut. Other films followed including Life in a Metro, Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Two of his films, Ek Accident with co-star Soha Ali Khan and Har Pal with Preity Zinta are yet to be released.[9]

In 2015, Ahuja was cast in Anees Bazmee's Welcome Back co-starring John Abraham, Shruti Hassan, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Naseeruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia and Paresh Rawal.[10] [11]

Family

Ahuja is married to Anupam, and they have a daughter Arshiya.[12] [13] [14]

Legal history

In June 2009, Ahuja was arrested on charges of raping, detaining, and threatening his 19-year-old domestic servant. He was booked under Section 376 (rape), and Section 506 (threat to kill) of the Indian Penal Code.[15] During the trial, his maid (the victim) recanted on her testimony and told the Court that she was never raped. However, the judge believed that the maid falsely testified under pressure and, in 2011, Ahuja was sentenced to seven years of prison.[16]

This case was the inspiration for the writing of the legal drama film Section 375. The film was written by Manish Gupta, his friend who had interacted with the parties of the case during the time of the arrest.[17] [18]

Filmography

style="background:#FFFFCC;"
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Movies Role Other notes
2005Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi Vikram MalhotraFilmfare Award for Best Male Debut
KaramACP Wagh Pratap Singh
SinsWilliam
2006GangsterDaya ShankarStardust Award for Superstar of Tomorrow – Male
FanaaSuraj AhujaFriendly appearance
Woh LamheAditya Garewal
Zindaggi Rocks Dr. Suraj Rihan
2007Life in a... MetroAkash
Bhool BhulaiyaSiddharth Chaturvedi
Khoya Khoya ChandZaffar
2008MigrationShort film
HijackVikram Madaan
2009Dheeme DheemeHimself
2012GhostVijay Singh
2015Welcome BackHoney Sharif

Awards

Award FilmCategory Result
Filmfare AwardsHazaaron Khwaishein AisiBest Male Debut
Screen Awards
Zee Cine AwardsBest Male Debut
IIFA Awards
Stardust AwardsBest Male Debut
Gangster

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shiney Suraj Ahuja VS State of Maharashtra . 2024-02-09 . Supreme Today AI.
  2. Web site: The shine wears off. Swati. Mathur. Kaveree. Bamzai. June 18, 2009. India Today.
  3. Web site: Remember Shiney Ahuja? The Gangster actor is completely away from the limelight . 15 May 2020 . 17 May 2024. mid-day.com.
  4. http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/ullstory.php?id=13720797&cid=13491372 Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi
  5. Web site: September 18, 2006 . I am a true Punjabi : Shiney . live . December 11, 2022 . Princy Jain. https://web.archive.org/web/20221211095959/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-am-a-true-punjabi-shiney/story-4FwBwPBl9OzJiZaYM24SaN.html . December 11, 2022 . . en-IN .
  6. Web site: February 22, 2008 . Khalid Mohamed. I'm no marriage thief: Shiney Ahuja. June 27, 2023 . . en-IN.
  7. News: Wishing Shiney Ahuja a very happy Birthday. Screen. May 15, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090620055926/http://www.screenindia.com/news/wishing-shiney-ahuja-a-very-happy-birthday/459935/. 20 June 2009. dead. dmy-all.
  8. Web site: Filmfare winners of the year 2006 Best Newcomer (Male). 9 December 2022. filmfare.com.
  9. News: Producers refused to account 'Har Pal' following Shiney Ahuja rape case, reveals Jahnu Barua. Deccan Chronicle. Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited. 25 November 2014. 31 January 2015.
  10. Web site: John Abraham, Shruti Haasan, and Shiney Ahuja strike a pose on the sets of Welcome Back-view pics! – Bollywood News & Gossip, Movie Reviews, Trailers & Videos at Bollywoodlife.com. 18 January 2015. 10 October 2014 .
  11. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Shiney-Ahuja-returns-as-Naseers-son/articleshow/41766225.cms Shiney Ahuja returns as Naseer's son
  12. Web site: Shiney in custody, wife rushes back. Samyabrata Ray Goswami. https://web.archive.org/web/20090619061943/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1090616/jsp/nation/story_11117283.jsp. 15 June 2009. 19 June 2009. telegraphindia.com.
  13. Web site: Exclusive: My Daughter Is My Biggest Strength, Says Shiney Ahuja. Priyanka Jain. 2 September 2015. thequint.com.
  14. Web site: Life will go back to normal again: Shiney's wife. 20 June 2011. Sarita Tanwar. indiatimes.com.
  15. Web site: Remember Shiney Ahuja? The Gangster actor is completely away from the limelight. 15 May 2020. 30 Jul 2021. mid-day.
  16. Web site: Shiney Ahuja, fallen Bollywood star, jailed for raping maid. 31 March 2011. The Guardian.
  17. Web site: Shiney Ahuja Case Inspired 'Section 375', Says Film's Writer. 17 Sep 2019. 30 Jul 2021. Nandakumar Rammohan. thequint.com.
  18. Web site: Section 375 story is based on Ahuja's rape case, reveals writer Manish Gupta. September 17, 2019. 30 Jul 2021. Suparno Sarkar. ibtimes.co.in.