Who is Vir Das? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Indian Celebrities Born In May

Age: 45 Years, 45 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Shivani Mathur (m. 2014)

father: Madhur Das

Actors Stand-up Comedians

Height: 5'6" (168 cm), 5'6" Males

Notable Alumni: Moscow Art Theatre, Knox College (Illinois)

City: Dehradun, India

More Facts

education: Knox College (Illinois), Moscow Art Theatre

Recommended For You

1

What are some popular stand-up comedy specials by Vir Das?

Some popular stand-up comedy specials by Vir Das include "Abroad Understanding," "Losing It," and "For India."
2

Where can I watch Vir Das' comedy shows online?

Vir Das' comedy shows can be streamed on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and his official website.
3

What are some movies in which Vir Das has appeared?

Vir Das has appeared in movies such as "Delhi Belly," "Go Goa Gone," and "Badmaash Company."
4

Does Vir Das write his own comedy material?

Yes, Vir Das is known for writing his own comedy material and is highly regarded for his sharp and witty writing style.
5

How has Vir Das contributed to the comedy scene in India?

Vir Das is credited with popularizing stand-up comedy in India and has paved the way for many comedians to pursue a career in the industry.

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Childhood & Early Life

Vir Das was born on 31st May 1979 in Dehradun, UP (Now in Uttarakhand). He was raised mostly in Africa and he studied at several places such as Lagos, Nigeria, Delhi and Shimla.

He moved to the US for his higher education and graduated from Knox College, Illinois with a degree in economics and theatre. He is a member of Knox’s Delta Theta chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity as well. Later he also studied at the Moscow Arts Theatre.

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Career

Vir Das started doing standup comedy while he was still studying at Knox. His one-hour special, ‘Brown Men Can’t Hump’ which debuted at the Knox’s Harbach Theatre, earned a lot of appreciation. He received a Richter Scholarship for theatre as well the Colton Performance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting. Later, he worked as a teaching assistant at Knox and eventually went to Harvard to train as a method actor.

After his return to India, he performed over a hundred comedy shows in major cities. He soon began his TV career as well. He hosted two shows on Zoom TV channel named ‘Is Route Ki Sabhin Linein Maast Hain’ and ‘Ek Rahin Vir’. Other shows hosted by him include ‘Top Drive- Get Away’ which aired on Star World and ‘Cricket Firsts’. He also hosted the news comedy show ‘News on the Loose’ which aired on CNBC-TV18.

He made his film debut with a minor role in the 2007 Bollywood drama ‘Namastey London’ which starred Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles. The film was a success commercially. The same year, he appeared in another film ‘Mumbai Salsa’, where he played the lead role. He next appeared in a few episodes of the TV series ‘Mumbai Calling’.

In 2009, he played a supporting role in the romantic film ‘Love Aaj Kal’. Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the film starred Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. The film was about the feeling of pure love, which is everlasting. The film was a huge success commercially. The following year, he was seen in ‘Badmaash Company’ which was directed by Parmeet Sethi. The film was a commercial success and was met with mixed reviews.

He played a main role in the black comedy film ‘Delhi Belly’ in 2011. Directed by Abhinay Deo, the film was a huge success commercially, and was praised by critics as well. The film won three Filmfare Awards, including one in the category of ‘Best Screenplay’. He next appeared in the 2013 film ‘Go Goa Gone’, which was the first zombie comedy film in the history of Indian cinema. The film was a commercial success as well.

Other films he has appeared in include ‘Shaadi ke Side Effects’ (2014), ‘Revolver Rani’ (2014), ‘Santa Banta’ (2016), ‘Shivaay’ (2016) and ‘Patel ki Punjabi Shaadi’ (2017). In 2017, his Netflix Special ‘Abroad Understanding’ was released, which made him the first Indian comedian to have a comedy special on the platform. He has also worked with Ashvin Gidwani Productions on several standup comedy shows such as ‘Battle of Da Sexes’ and ‘History of India, VIRitten.’

Major Works

Vir Das played a main role in the Indian black comedy film ‘Delhi Belly’. Directed by Abhinay Deo, the film also starred Imran Khan, Kunal Roy Kapoor and Poorna Jagannathan. The film was a huge commercial success, grossing around Rs. 100 crores on a Rs. 25 crore budget. The film revolved around the lives of three friends which suddenly turn upside down. It was appreciated by critics and also won three Filmfare Awards. The film was later remade in Tamil as ‘Settai’.

Das played one of the main roles in the 2013 zombie comedy film ‘Go Goa Gone’. Directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, the film also starred actors Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu and Anand Tiwari. The story revolved around three friends who are trapped in an island full of zombies. They are eventually saved by Boris, a Russian Zombie slayer, portrayed by Khan. The film was a commercial success, earning more than Rs. 38 crores on a budget of Rs. 19 crores.

He was seen in a supporting role in the 2016 action thriller ‘Shivaay’. The film was directed and produced by Ajay Devgn, who also played the lead role. Other actors included Sayyeshaa Saigal, Abigail Eames, and Erika Kaar. The film revolved around an Indian mountaineer whose daughter is kidnapped by traffickers. It was a commercial success and was met with mixed reviews from critics. It was also released in many other countries such as the the USA, Australia and Canada.

Awards & Achievements

Vir Das was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 2011 film ‘Delhi Belly’. Along with his co-stars, he also earned a nomination for the Screen Weekly Awards for ‘Best Ensemble Cast’ for the same role.

Personal Life

Vir Das has been married to Shivani Mathur since 2014.

He attracted controversy because of his remarks on former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam while he was doing a show in Delhi.

Facts About Vir Das

Vir Das is not just a comedian, but also an accomplished actor who has starred in several Bollywood films and popular web series.

In addition to his successful career in entertainment, Vir Das is also a talented musician and has played in a rock band called Alien Chutney.

Vir Das holds a degree in Economics and Theatre from Knox College in Illinois, showcasing his diverse interests and educational background.

Vir Das is known for his philanthropic efforts and has supported various causes, including education for underprivileged children and mental health awareness.

Vir Das Biography

You wanted to know

What are some popular stand-up comedy specials by Vir Das?

Where can I watch Vir Das' comedy shows online?

What are some movies in which Vir Das has appeared?

Does Vir Das write his own comedy material?

How has Vir Das contributed to the comedy scene in India?