Nikitin Dheer

Nikitin Dheer is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi and Telugu films, and Hindi television. Dheer made his acting debut in 2008 with the film Jodhaa Akbar. He is best known for portraying Astika in Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha (2016-2017) and Ravana in Shrimad Ramayan. Dheer has appeared in successful films such as Ready (2011), Chennai Express (2013), Kanche (2015), Shershaah (2021) and Sooryavanshi (2021), and the series Indian Police Force (2024).

Early and personal life Dheer was born into a Punjabi family to actor Pankaj Dheer. Sengar gave birth to their daughter, Devika, on 12 May 2022.

His father Pankaj Dheer died in October 2025.

Career Dheer made his acting debut in 2008 with Ashutosh Gowariker's historical drama Jodhaa Akbar, in which he co-starred alongside Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, as Sharifuddin Hussain, Akbar's brother-in-law. While the film earned critical appreciation and box office success, Dheer received praise for his role, with noted critic Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama mentioning him as "fantastic". The same year he acted alongside Vivek Oberoi, Shriya Saran and Zayed Khan in Apoorva Lakhia's unremarkable action thriller Mission Istaanbul.

In 2011, Dheer appeared in Anees Bazmee's comedy Ready, alongside Salman Khan and Asin. The following year, he had a supporting role in Arbaaz Khan's action film Dabangg 2 alongside Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Prakash Raj. In 2013, he featured as the primary antagonist in Rohit Shetty's action comedy Chennai Express with Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. For his role as Tangaballi, a dreaded Tamil goon, Dheer was asked to gain more muscle and work on his accent. His physique in the film was received warmly; Mohar Basu noted that Dheer is "robust" although "hardly has a role enough to perform".

Filmography Films

All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.

Television Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2011 Dwarkadheesh Bhagwan Shree Krishn Kalayavana 2014 Fear Files Himself (Narrator) 2014 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 5 Contestant 2nd runner-up 2016–2017 Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha Astika 2017–2018 Ishqbaaaz Dr. Veer Singh Oberoi 2019 Naagin 3 Huqum 2024 Shrimad Ramayan Ravana

Web series Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2020–2022 Raktanchal Waseem Khan 2 seasons 2024 Indian Police Force Rana Virk TBA Filming

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref. 2009 Stardust Awards The New Menace Jodhaa Akbar 2014 Zee Cine Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role Chennai Express 2024 Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role Shrimad Ramayan 2025 Indian Telly Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role