Asif Basra - Movies, Biography, Death, Wife and More

Profile Summary

Table Of Content

• Biography
• Age
• Childhood and Early Life
• Education
• Wife 
• Struggles
• Career
• Movies
• Web Series
• TV Shows
• Career Timeline 
• Net Worth
• Social Work
• Death
• Interesting Facts
• How To Get a Personalised Video Message From Celebrities Like Asif Basra?

Biography

Asif Basra was a talented Indian actor who made a mark in the entertainment industry through his work in Bollywood films and TV serials. Born on July 27, 1967, Basra showcased his acting prowess and versatility in various roles throughout his career. While he garnered significant recognition among Indian audiences, he also gained visibility in the Western world for his role in the film Outsourced.

Basra's contribution to the film industry extended beyond his notable performance in Outsourced. He appeared in numerous other films, showcasing his acting skills in diverse genres. His performances were often praised for their depth and authenticity, earning him a dedicated fan base.

Tragically, on November 2, 2020, Basra's life came to a devastating end. The actor's passing was the result of suicide by hanging, a deeply saddening event that shocked his fans, colleagues, and the industry as a whole. The news of his untimely demise sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, leaving many mourning the loss of a talented artist.

Basra's death serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for support systems within the entertainment industry and society as a whole. It is a tragic loss that has left a void in the world of cinema, and his contributions to the arts will be remembered as part of his legacy.

Age

Asif Basra, born on July 27, 1967, was 53 years old at the time of his tragic death in 2020. Regrettably, he passed away on November 12, 2020, at the age of 53.

Childhood and Early Life

Asif Basra, originating from Amravati, Maharashtra, India was born on July 27, 1967. In pursuit of his passion for acting, he made a significant decision to move to Mumbai in 1989. Mumbai, often regarded as the heart of the Indian film industry, presented ample opportunities for aspiring actors like Basra to showcase their talent.

Once in Mumbai, Basra enrolled at Mumbai University, where he further honed his skills and knowledge in the field of acting. Alongside his academic pursuits, he actively participated in college productions, allowing him to gain practical experience and refine his craft. These college productions served as a platform for him to demonstrate his acting abilities and develop a distinct style.

Basra's commitment to his passion and his involvement in college productions undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping his acting career. It provided him with a foundation and a taste of the performing arts, fueling his aspirations to enter the world of cinema and television.

The experiences and learnings gained during his time at Mumbai University and his active involvement in college productions would prove invaluable as Basra embarked on his journey in the entertainment industry. These formative years would contribute to his growth as a versatile and accomplished actor, leaving a lasting impact on his subsequent performances.

Education

After his relocation to Mumbai in 1989, Asif Basra enrolled at Mumbai University, where he actively participated in college productions, showcasing his acting skills. His performances in these productions were highly acclaimed, leading to him regularly winning prizes for the characters he portrayed during his college years. Alongside his artistic pursuits, Basra also dedicated himself to his academic studies and successfully graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physics.

Wife 

There is limited information available regarding Asif Basra's personal life, including his romantic relationships and marital status. However, as of 2023, it is understood that he was unmarried.

Struggles

In 1991, Asif Basra had a transformative experience when he attended Salim Ghouse's production of Athol Fugard's play 'Boesman and Lena.' Impressed by the production, Basra became an ardent spectator, attending the play night after night for a week. It was during this time that he had the opportunity to meet Ghouse, which marked his entry into the vibrant Mumbai theatre scene.

Ghouse, recognizing Basra's potential, offered him the role of Horatio in his stage adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet.' Despite working full-time, Basra dedicated himself to the world of theatre and began performing regularly on stage, showcasing his talent in Hindi, English, and Urdu plays.

His performances garnered critical acclaim, especially in notable productions such as Feroz Khan's 'Mahatma vs. Gandhi' in English and 'Main Bhi Superman' in Hindi. The recognition and praise he received for his acting skills propelled his career forward, leading to a flourishing journey in the Indian theatre scene.

In 1996, Basra made a significant decision to resign from his regular 9-5 job, choosing to focus entirely on his burgeoning career in the Indian theatre industry. This move allowed him to fully commit to his passion and devote his time and energy to further honing his craft as an actor.

Career

Basra's talent and versatility as an actor were evident in his various notable performances. He portrayed impactful characters in acclaimed films such as Anurag Kashyap's 'Black Friday' and Rahul Dholakia's 'Parzania,' both of which received significant critical appreciation.

Another notable project was his appearance in Michael O. Sajbeland's 'One Night with the King,' where he had the opportunity to work alongside veteran actors like Omar Sharif and Peter O'Toole. Basra also showcased his acting skills in the Hindi film 'Lamhaa,' where he portrayed the role of a tailor. Additionally, he left a lasting impression as Shoaib's (played by Emraan Hashmi) father in the highly successful Bollywood film 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai,' which was one of the top-grossing films of 2010.

Basra's talent extended beyond the silver screen to the theatre stage. He gained recognition for his theatrical performances, including his portrayal of five characters in Feroz Abbas Khan's production of 'Mahatma v/s Gandhi.' He also delivered memorable performances as a child with spina bifida in 'Main Bhi Superman' and as Horatio in 'Hamlet.'

In 2020, Basra continued to make an impact in the digital space with his appearances in two web series: 'Paatal Lok,' streamed on Amazon Prime, and 'Hostages,' available on Hotstar. His versatility as an actor was further demonstrated by his work in Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Malayalam films, showcasing his ability to adapt to different languages and regional cinema.

Basra's final on-screen appearance was in the second season of the Amazon Prime Video web series 'The Family Man,' which was released on June 4, 2021.

Best Asif Basra Movies

Quicksand (2003)

'Quicksand' is a crime thriller film initially released directly to video in 2003. The movie, which is a joint production between the UK, France, and Germany, stars Michael Keaton and Michael Caine alongside Asif Basra. It was first screened in Germany, Finland, Sweden, and Norway in 2003, before being released in the United States on 16th March 2004, and in the United Kingdom on 1st November 2004. The shooting for 'Quicksand' took place in South France from December 2000 to January 2001, with the initial plan being to release it in 2002.

Black Friday (2004)

'Black Friday' is a Hindi-language crime film which was released in 2004. Anurag Kashyap wrote and directed this Indian production. The film is an adaptation of Hussain Zaidi's book 'Black Friday: The True Story of the Bombay Bomb Blasts', which provides a detailed account of the 1993 Bombay bombings. 'Black Friday' explores the lead-up to the bombings as well as the subsequent police inquiry. Arindam Mitra of Mid-Day produced the film, which features an ensemble cast including Asif Basra, Pawan Malhotra, Kay Kay Menon, Aditya Srivastava, Kishor Kadam, and Zakir Hussain.

Outsourced (2006)

'Outsourced,' a romantic comedy film from 2006, is the joint creation of directors and writers John Jeffcoat and George Wing. The plot follows Todd Anderson, played by Josh Hamilton, who works as a salesman for a novelty products company based in Seattle. He finds out his department is being relocated to India, much to his dismay. Despite his initial hesitation, he has no choice but to take on the journey when his boss Dave clarifies that resigning would cause him to lose his stock options. Consequently, he heads to India to train Puro, portrayed by Asif Basra, his replacement.

Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010)

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'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai,' a Hindi-language gangster film from India, was released in 2010. The film was scripted by Rajat Arora, directed by Milan Luthria, and starred Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Prachi Desai, and Randeep Hooda. Ekta Kapoor produced the movie under the Balaji Motion Pictures banner, and its release was on 30th July 2010. The film gathered generally positive feedback from critics and was a commercial success. It drew loose inspiration from the lives of Mumbai underworld figures, Haji Mastan, and Dawood Ibrahim. Asif Basra is featured as Inspector Hussain Khan, playing the father of Shoaib, a character modelled after Head-constable Ibrahim Kaskar. In 2013, a sequel titled 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!' was unveiled.

Kai Po Che (2013)

'Kai Po Che!: Brothers... For Life,' translating to 'I have cut the kite,' is an Indian sports drama released in 2013. Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, the production was helmed by Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur's UTV Motion Pictures as its first solo project post the Disney·UTV collaboration. The storyline is derived from 'The 3 Mistakes of My Life,' a 2008 novel by Chetan Bhagat. Three songs by Amit Trivedi, featuring lyrics by Swanand Kirkire, form the soundtrack. The film introduces Sushant Singh Rajput and stars Rajkummar Rao, Amit Sadh, and Amrita Puri. The title references a phrase in Gujarati, shouted during the kite-flying festival Makar Sankranti (or Uttarayan in Gujarat). During the festival, the goal is to use your kite to severe another's. Asif Basra portrays Naseer Hashmi, the father of Ali in the story.

Ek Villain (2014)

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The 2014 Indian film 'Ek Villain: There's One in Every Love Story', is an action thriller movie in Hindi. Mohit Suri directed the film, while the production was carried out by Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor under Balaji Motion Pictures. The film is based on a script by Tushar Hiranandani and Milap Milan Zaveri, starring Riteish Deshmukh, Sidharth Malhotra, and Shraddha Kapoor as the primary characters.

'Ek Villain' was globally released on 27th June 2014 and was critically acclaimed, receiving accolades for its theme, direction, scriptwriting, and action scenes. Deshmukh, in his unprecedented negative role, was notably praised. With a production cost of ₹39 crore, the film was a significant box-office hit, earning over ₹100 crore domestically and a global gross of ₹170 crore. The tracks 'Galliyan,' 'Zaroorat,' and 'Hamdard' were breakout hits. Asif Basra appeared in the film as Aadesh Verma.

Sooryavanshi (2021)

'Sooryavanshi' is a 2021 Indian action film in Hindi, written and directed by Rohit Shetty and produced by Reliance Entertainment, Rohit Shetty Picturez, Dharma Productions, and Cape of Good Films. As the fourth instalment of Shetty's Cop Universe, it features Akshay Kumar in the lead role as ATS chief DCP Veer Sooryavanshi alongside Katrina Kaif. Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh return as Singham and Simmba, respectively. The film's antagonists include Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover, Nikitin Dheer, Sikandar Kher, Abhimanyu Singh, and Kumud Mishra, with supporting roles performed by Jaaved Jaaferi, Vivan Bhatena, and Niharica Raizada. Asif Basra appears as Rafique Siddiqui, Usmani's aide.

The announcement of Kumar's character occurred near the end of the 2018 film 'Simmba,' serving as an introduction.

Originally set to release in March 2020, 'Sooryavanshi' was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India before finally debuting in theatres on 5th November 2021, coinciding with Diwali. Receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film went on to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2021 and the 47th highest-grossing Indian film of all time, with a gross of ₹294.91 crore following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Best Web Series 

Paatal Lok (2020)

'Paatal Lok' (translated to 'Netherworld'), is a crime thriller web television series in Hindi available on Amazon Prime Video. The series was created by Sudip Sharma, with additional scripting from Sagar Haveli, Hardik Mehta, and Gunjit Chopra. It was directed by Avinash Arun and Prosit Roy. Anushka Sharma produced the series under the banner Clean Slate Filmz. Its star-studded cast includes Jaideep Ahlawat, Gul Panag, Neeraj Kabi, Swastika Mukherjee, Ishwak Singh, and Abhishek Banerjee. Asif Basra portrays the character Jai Malik. The plot, loosely based on Tarun Tejpal's 2010 novel, 'The Story of My Assassins,' revolves around a cynical cop who ends up with an assassination attempt case that didn't go as planned. 

Hostages (2020)

'Hostages' is an Indian Hindi-language crime thriller series, produced for Hotstar Specials. It serves as an official adaptation of the original Israeli series of the same name. The series is crafted by Nisarg Mehta, Shiva Bajpai, and Mayukh Ghosh, with Sudhir Mishra taking up the director's role. Notable actors in the series include Tisca Chopra, Ronit Roy, Parvin Dabas, Aashim Gulati, Mohan Kapoor, Dalip Tahil, and Asif Basra who features as Asghar Nabi in Season 2. Additional supporting roles are played by Malhaar Rathod, Sharad Joshi, Aashim Gulati, Surya Sharma, and Anangsha Biswas.

The plot of the series focuses on a distinguished surgeon who is faced with the daunting task of assassinating the chief minister during a routine operation in a desperate bid to protect his held-hostage family. The second season, which was officially announced on 16th October 2019, takes place a week after the events of the first season. In this continuation, the narrative portrays a retired cop who kidnaps the chief minister with the aim of carrying out a bone marrow transplant required to save his wife's life.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic inducing production delays, the second season's production spanned from October 2019 until its completion in July 2020. Sachin Krishn directed this new season, succeeding Sudhir Krishna, who was also engaged in the second series. The Season 2 premiere took place on Disney+ Hotstar on 9th September 2020.

The Family Man (2021)

'The Family Man' is a spy thriller streaming television series in Hindi, created by Raj & DK for the streaming platform Amazon Prime Video. Manoj Bajpayee leads the cast as Srikant Tiwari, an average middle-class man who leads a covert double life as an intelligence officer for the fictitious Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASC), a division of the National Investigation Agency.

Other key members of the cast include Priyamani, Sharad Kelkar, Neeraj Madhav, Sharib Hashmi, Sunny Hinduja, and Shreya Dhanwanthary. Dalip Tahil features as Kulkarni and Asif Basra portrays the character of the Counsellor. The series was both produced and directed by Raj & DK, who co-wrote the story and screenplay with Suman Kumar. Sumit Arora and Kumar took care of dialogue writing.

In the second season of the series, Samantha Ruth Prabhu made her digital debut as the primary antagonist, with a part of the season directed by Suparn S. Verma. Filming for this series, announced in June 2018, took place in numerous locations like Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The first season wrapped up by May 2019 and filming for the second season took place from November 2019 to September 2020. The cinematography for the first season was managed by Azim Moolan and Nigam Bomzan, with Cameron Eric Bryson joining for the second season. The editing was performed by Sumeet Kotla and background score composed by Ketan Sodha.

TV Shows with Asif Basra

Woh (1998)

"Woh," a thrilling Indian horror television series, spanned across 52 episodes and first aired in 1998 on Zee TV. The series spotlighted celebrated Indian film director Ashutosh Gowariker and notable dwarf actor Lilliput in leading roles. The series was essentially a Hindi adaptation of Stephen King's monumental horror novel, "It." In this series, Asif Basra essayed the character of Omkarnath Dikshit, who plays a history teacher.

Career Timeline 

Movies and TV Shows

Web Series

Net Worth

Asif Basra, a well-known figure in the Indian film industry, has an estimated net worth of approximately 50 crores. In other words, the total value of his income, property, and other assets is approximately 50 crores. This estimation is a culmination of his years in the acting industry, participating in a variety of projects across different platforms such as theatre, movies, and television series. His net worth indicates his financial success and standing in the industry. 

Social Work

Towards the latter part of his career, Asif Basra was frequently observed mentoring budding talents. He organised acting workshops at Prithvi Theater, offering his experience and wisdom to help cultivate the next generation of performers.

Death

On November 12, 2020, Asif Basra was tragically discovered dead. It is believed that the reason for his death was suicide by hanging in a private residential complex located in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. In the wake of his tragic passing, an investigation was launched. However, despite the efforts, investigators were unable to make any significant headway in the case. Ultimately, the authorities decided to close the case without arriving at a definitive conclusion.

Interesting Facts

• Asif Basra was a versatile actor known for his work across Indian film, television, and theatre.
• He gained international recognition for his part in the American comedy film 'Outsourced.'
• Basra's roots can be traced back to Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
• He maintained a prolific stage presence, performing in Hindi, English, and Urdu theatrical plays even while holding down a full-time job.
• His entrance into the Bollywood industry was marked by Anurag Kashyap's movie 'Black Friday' followed by his role in Rahul Dholakia's 'Parzania'. His performance in both films brought him critical acclaim.
• He was also seen in the 2018 Hindi family drama 'Hichki,' alongside leading lady Rani Mukerji.
• His most recent prominent role was in the Amazon Prime Video series 'Paatal Lok.'

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