Darshan Jariwala is a renowned Indian film actor and theatre artist known for his impactful performances in Bollywood and Gujarati cinema. His portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi, My Father earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, solidifying his place in the industry.
With a career spanning decades, Jariwala has showcased his versatility across films, television, and theatre.
Early Life and Upbringing
Darshan Jariwala was born on September 29, 1958, in Bombay, Maharashtra. He hails from a Gujarati family deeply rooted in the performing arts. His mother, Leela Jariwala, was a veteran Gujarati actress, while his father, Vidyasagar Jariwala, supported his artistic pursuits.
Growing up, Jariwala was exposed to theatre and drama, which shaped his passion for acting. He pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree and later trained as a Chartered Accountant, but his love for acting led him to the stage.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Darshan Jariwala |
| Nickname | Radio Wala Kaka |
| Alternative Names(s) | Darshan Jariwalla |
| Date of Birth | 29 September 1958 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 66 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Bombay, Maharashtra |
| Hometown | Mumbai |
| Current Address | Not publicly available |
| Education Qualification | B.Com, Chartered Accountant |
| Hobbies and Interests | Theatre, Acting, Writing |
| Languages Known | Gujarati, Hindi, English |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook , Innstagram |
| Wikipedia Profile | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile | IMDb Profile |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Average |
| Body Measurements | 42-35-15 inches |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 72 kg |
| Chest | 42 inches |
| Waist | 35 inches |
| Biceps | 15 inches |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Salt & Pepper |
| Hairstyle | Short, neatly styled |
| Distinctive Features | Expressive face |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Darshan Jariwala married Apara Mehta, a well-known television actress, in 1980. The couple has a daughter, Khushali Mehta. However, they separated in 2003 due to personal differences.
Since 2010, Jariwala has been in a relationship with Anahita Jahanbaksh Italia. Despite his separation, he maintains a cordial relationship with his family.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Separated |
| Spouse – Wife | Apara Mehta (separated 2003) |
| Father | Vidyasagar Jariwala |
| Mother | Leela Jariwala (Gujarati actress, died 1995) |
| Children | Khushali Mehta (daughter) |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Anahita Jahanbaksh (since 2010) |
| Significant Relationships | Anahita Jahanbaksh |
Rise to Stardom
Darshan Jariwala made his Bollywood debut in 2001 with the film Style, where he played Principal Sardesai. His breakthrough role came in 2007 when he portrayed Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi, My Father. His performance was widely praised, earning him the National Film Award.
Over the years, he has played significant roles in films like:
- Guru (2007) – Anand Patekar
- Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. (2007) – Ram Prasad
- Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) – Shiv Shankar Sharma
- Raajneeti (2010) – Ramnath Rai
Darshan Jariwala – Selfie
Darshan Jariwala – Debut Film – Style
Darshan Jariwala – Successful Film – Guru
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Darshan Jariwala has had a prolific career in Bollywood, Gujarati cinema, and television. His notable achievements include:
- National Film Award (Best Supporting Actor) – Gandhi, My Father (2008)
- Apsara Award Nominee
- Screen Award Nominee
- Gujarati Theatre Contributions – Hatheli Par BaadBaaki, Patro Mitro, Mulraj Mansion
- Television Success – Saas Bina Sasural, Narsinh Mehta
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, Theatre Artist |
| Debut Film | Style (2001) |
| Notable Roles | Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhi, My Father), Shiv Shankar Sharma (Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani), Ram Prasad (Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.) |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Radhe (2021), Ek Tha Hero (2016) |
| Upcoming Films | N/A |
| Popular Television Series | Saas Bina Sasural, Narsinh Mehta |
| Awards and Achievements | National Film Award (Best Supporting Actor – Gandhi, My Father), Apsara Award Nominee, Screen Award Nominee |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | N/A |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Theatre & Arts Support |
| Professional Associations | Gujarati Theatre, Bollywood |
| Training and Education | Chartered Accountant, Theatre Training |
| Production Company | Leela Theatres |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Gandhi, My Father, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Guru |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Gandhi, My Father, Rang Rasiya |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $5 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | N/A |
| Business Ventures | DARSHAN ENTERPRISES |
| Investments | Lionnaire Holdings And Investments Private Limited |
| Real Estate Holdings | N/A |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | House |
| Cars Collection | Audi |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Favorite Actress | Leela Jariwala |
| Favorite Film | Gandhi, My Father |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Colour | Blue |
| Favorite Food | Gujarati Cuisine |
| Things s/he like | Theatre, Acting, Writing |
| Things s/he dislike | Lack of discipline |
Top 5 Best Films – Darshan Jariwala
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Gandhi, My Father | 2007 | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Guru | 2007 | Anand Patekar |
| Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani | 2009 | Shiv Shankar Sharma |
| Raajneeti | 2010 | Ramnath Rai |
| Bey Yaar | 2014 | Jeetubhai Bhatt |
Controversies – Darshan Jariwala
- Accused of Forcefully Impregnating a Journalist – In 2024, a journalist accused Jariwala of impregnating her, which led to a defamation case.
- Resignation from CINTAA – Following the controversy, he resigned from his CINTAA positions.
- Legal Battle Over Defamation – His lawyer claimed that Jariwala was medically unfit to become a father.
- Social Media Backlash – The controversy sparked debates on social media platforms.
- Public Statements and Denials – Jariwala and his legal team have denied all allegations.
Interesting Facts – Darshan Jariwala
- Started acting in college and won multiple mono-acting competitions.
- Owns a theatre company called Leela Theatres.
- Performed in multiple languages, including Gujarati, Hindi, and English.
- Played Mahatma Gandhi twice, once in a film and once in a play.
- Acted in over 50 films across different genres.
- Supports theatre and arts through various initiatives.
Darshan Jariwala remains a respected figure in Indian cinema and theatre. His dedication to acting, combined with his ability to portray diverse roles, has earned him a strong fan following. Despite controversies, his contributions to Bollywood and Gujarati theatre continue to be celebrated.
