Amar Upadhyay Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Children, Biography & More

Amar Upadhyay is an Indian film & television actor and producer. He gained immense popularity with his role as Mihir Virani in the famous TV serial ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ (2000).

Wiki/Biography

Amar Upadhyay aka Amarr H. Upadhyay ^[1]Twitter- Gargoti The Mineral Museum was born on Sunday, 1 August 1976 (age 47 years; as of 2023) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He was brought up in Mumbai. His zodiac sign is Leo.

He did his schooling at Dhanamal High School, Mumbai, Maharashtra. He then pursued his graduation in chemical engineering at Bombay Institute of Technology, Worli, Mumbai. Later, he did his training in acting at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. ^[2]YouTube- Pinkvilla

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 10″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

He belongs to a Gujarati family. ^[3]The Tribune

Parents & Siblings

His father, Harshad Upadhyay, is a retired banker. He has a younger brother.

Wife & Children

On 5 March 1999, he had an arranged marriage with Hetal Upadhyay. The couple has a daughter named Chenab Upadhyay, and a son named Aryaman Upadhyay.

Relationships/Affairs

In 2011, while he was a contestant in the reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss 5,’ his name was linked with his co-contestant Vida Samadzai, who is an Afghan-American actress and model. ^[4]Bollywood Shaadis

During the show, another co-contestant Akashdeep Saigal (Sky) commented on Amar and Vida’s relationship, he said,

Jo aadmi (Amar) apni biwi aur bachchon ka nahin ho sakta… yahan par woh Vida (Samadzai) ke saath apne gulchhare uda raha hai… woh aadmi kiska ho sakta hai?… Usse pata nahin ke kaise dikhega woh wahan pe.”

Address

905/906, Re Classic, Versova, Andheri(W), Mumbai

Signature

Career

Model

While he was studying in class 10, he went to watch the shooting of a biscuit ad in Mumbai. The model who was earlier finalised for the TV ad did not turn up for the shooting on that day, and hence, the makers of the ad offered Amar to work in the ad film. He agreed to it and got Rs 1000 for the ad. ^[5]YouTube- Pinkvilla He has walked the ramp in various fashion shows.

Actor

Television

In 1994, the Indian actress Jaya Bachchan spotted him in Stardust magazine and offered him a role in the Hindi TV serial ‘Dekh Bhai Dekh.’ He then debuted as an actor with the Hindi TV serial ‘Dekh Bhai Dekh’ in which he played the role of Sahil Diwan.

He then played a few cameo roles in the Hindi TV serials ‘Rajani’ (1994), ‘Saturday Suspense’ (1998), ‘Rishtey’ (2000), and ‘Mehndi Tere Naam Ki’ (2000).

He played the role of Mihir Virani in the Star Plus TV serial ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ (2000).

Some of his other popular Hindi TV serials are ‘Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand’ (2003), ‘Sapna Babul Ka…Bidaai’ (2009), ‘Saath Nibhaana Saathiya’ (2015), ‘Ishqbaaaz’ (2019), and ‘Molkki’ (2020).

Reality TV Shows

Amar has participated as a contestant in a few TV reality shows like ‘Bigg Boss 5’ (2011) and ‘Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawaazi Ki’ (2013).

Film

Hindi

In 1998, he made his Hindi film debut with the film ‘Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge!’ in which he played the role of Ajay/Devdas.

He then appeared in a few more Hindi films like ‘Dahshat’ (2000), ‘Dhund: The Fog’ (2003), ‘Jodi Kya Banayi Wah Wah Ramji’ (2003), which failed to do well at the box office. In 2003, he played the role of Captain Vijayanth Thapar in the Hindi film ‘LOC Kargil.’

Some of his other Hindi films are ’13B’ (2009), ‘Kaagaz’ (2021), ‘Bob Biswas’ (2021), and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ (2022).

Bhojpuri

In 2008, he made his debut in the Bhojpuri films with ‘Dharam Veer’ in which he played the role of Veer.

Some of his other Bhojpuri films are ‘Hum Bahubali’ (2008), ‘Tu Babuaa Hamaar’ (2008), and ‘E Rishta Anmol Baa’ (2009).

Other Languages

In 2017, he made his Gujarati film debut with the film ‘Aav Taru Kari Nakhu’ in which he played the role of Dushyant.

In 2021, he made his debut in Marathi films with ‘Jayanti’ as Vikas Kukreja.

Producer

In 2011, he started his film production company ‘Bharti Telecraft.’ He then launched his first TV show ‘Crime Files’ on Doordarshan.

Amar Upadhyay as Mihir Virani

One of the most significant episodes in the TV serials was when Mihir Virani (played by Amar) in the Star Plus TV serial ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ (2000) died in the show. The twist in the serial was not liked by the audience, and according to media sources, some fans of the TV serial started protest marches in front of the office of Balaji Telefilms. It was also said that Balaji Telefilms received various phone calls and letters to bring back Amar in the show. Even Amar received messages, letters, and phone calls from his fans to re-enter the TV serial. Later, the makers of the show decided to bring back the character of Mihir Virani in the show, and it was the first character in Indian TV serials who was brought back after a death sequence. ^[6]The Times of India Later, the character of Mihir was played by the Indian actor Inder Kumar who was then replaced by Ronit Roy. During an interview, Amar shared the reason behind quitting the show, he said,

When I left Kyunki, it was a hard decision, because I was loaded with so much work. I had three movies in hand and was lead in six projects. I shouldn’t have been so greedy as an actor. Today, I would have stuck to Kyunki and told them to wait. I didn’t sleep properly, which took a toll on my mind and body. I wasn’t able to give time to myself, forget family. Everyone was getting hassled, including my producers, since I couldn’t give them time for shoots. It was a big mess for dates. Some gave me an ultimatum and a few producers would have gone bankrupt if I left mid-way. I created a lot of mess concerning the dates.”

He further shared that he did not have any tiff with Ekta Kapoor. He said,

The so-called tiff with Ekta Kapoor was exaggerated by the media as she offered me the role of Mihir again after 8-9 months, after Inder Kumar left the show. When he left, she came back to me again. At that time, I was still shooting my films. I was still not ready for that. I thought if I go back again, there will still be date problems. I told her to wait 3-4 months but she was not ready to wait. To show the world that there were no problems between us I did many cameo appearances in Balaji shows. Just to tell the world that we are okay.”

 

Controversy

Accused of Financial Fraud

On 29 May 2003, he started a trading company named Mihir Virani Multi Trade Private Limited in Mumbai. One of the investors named Harinarayan Soni had earned a profit of Rs 7 lakh for investing in the company. Later, a cheque issued by the company to him was bounced, and he filed a case against the company. ^[7]Hindustan Times According to a media source,

After the summon was issued, the Bangur Nagar police delivered it to Upadhyay’s Malad office. However, no one was present at the office to receive the document. Consequently, Upadhyay missed his first hearing, forcing the court to delay proceedings on the case. This will be the second summons for Upadhyay, and the cops will have to make a trip to the Bigg Boss house to deliver it.”

In an interview, when the reporters asked the PR member of Amar about the court case, he said,

To my knowledge, Amar resigned from the company on Dec 23, 2003. After making a clean exit, he has not been part of its transactions. Someone could be trying to make him a soft target in order to gain publicity. He is currently confined within the walls of the Bigg Boss House and is cut off from the world.”

Awards

• 2001: Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actor Popular for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

• 2002: Indian Telly Award for Best Television Personality for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

• 2002: Kalakar Award for Best Actor Popular for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

• 2018: Gold Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Saath Nibhaana Saathiya

• 2021: International Iconic Award for Most Bankable Star of the Year for Molkki
  

  Amar Upadhyay holding his award

Favourites

• Actor(s): Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan

• Actress(es): Madhuri Dixit, Kajol

• Colour: Yellow

• Travelling Destination(s): Goa, London

Facts/Trivia

• While he was doing ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ (2000), he was once called by Saira Banu to meet the legendary Indian actor Dilip Kumar as Dilip liked his work. In an interview, while talking about it, he said,
  

  During Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi days, Saira (Banu) mam called me home to meet Dilip ji, as he liked my work. He told me if I carried characters home it would ruin my personal life. I learnt the lesson from a true master.”

• Amar is trained in Taekwondo and is a black belt in it.
  

  Amar Upadhyay while practising Taekwondo

• In an interview, he shared that while shooting for the Hindi film ‘LOC Kargil’ (2003) in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, he received a call from his family members that his mother was no more. He further talked about his mother, he said,
  

  It was a huge shock for me. I had lost the biggest support system of my life. I was completely broken. I had lost 8-10 kgs in 10 days due to depression. I said no to 6-7 films in that 1-2 months phase. I didn’t want to work. It was a very bad phase. My mother was my biggest strength. She supported me completely when everybody was against me, grandfather and others. My mother believed in me, I could do it. I could be an actor, I could grow into a nice actor. Mothers are nice. They always love you.”

• He considers the Indian director Aanand Mahendroo his guru.

• Amar loves travelling, watching films, and reading books. He has a library at his home and has more than 1000 books in his library.
  

  Amar Upadhyay while reading a book

• He is an avid dog lover and has a pet dog named Oreo.
  

  Amar Upadhyay with his pet dog

• Amar is an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha.
  

  Amar Upadhyay during Ganesh Chaturthi

• He has been featured on the cover page of various magazines.
  

  Amar Upadhyay featured on a magazine cover

• Amar follows a vegetarian diet. ^[8]Mid-Day