Shaheer Sheikh is an Indian actor and model. He is best known for playing warrior Arjun in Mahabharat, Devrath Dixit in Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi and Abir Rajvansh in Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke.
After pursuing L.L.B, he did not practice it and started his career as a photographer. Then, he went on to modelling.
Early acting career (2005–2012)
In 2005 Sheikh made his television debut with the show Sanya as Arjun Shekhawat on Hungama. Then, in 2009 in Kya Mast Hai Life, he played Vir Mehra, a teenager who loves music and playing guitar. After second season of the show ended, Sheikh was seen in Jhansi Ki Rani as Nana Sahib, brother of Rani of Jhansi replacing Satyajeet Dubey. In 2011, Sheikh was approached to play the lead in television show, Navya..Naye Dhadkan Naye Sawaal opposite Saumya Seth. He played Anant Bajpai, a 19-year-old college boy who looks like any other urban boy but deep down he is a traditionalist and a conformist. Alongside Navya, Sheikh also worked in Disney Channel's show Best Of Luck Nikki in season 1 as Ritesh. In 2012, Sheikh also appeared in the telefilm Honeymoon shown in Star Plus' show Teri Meri Love Stories opposite Mahhi Vij. He played Nityanand Chaturvadi who was a poor orphan and secretly loves his boss daughter Saloni.
Breakthrough and success (2013–2015)
In 2013, he signed Swastik Productions' Mahabharat. He played Arjuna, an incredible archer, a warrior prince and the third Pandava in the series which ended in August 2014. For his performance he got lot of appreciation. For the series, he underwent several trainings including fitness, horse riding and weapon training for almost eight months. Mahabharat was also popular in Indonesia, establishing Sheikh as a big star of the country. After Mahabharat, he did various projects in Indonesia which made him even more popular there. In 2014, he hosted Indonesian reality television:id:Panah Asmara Arjuna|Panah Asmara Arjuna and a variety showThe New Eat Bulaga! Indonesia along with his costars from Mahabharat. In 2015, he co-hosted the television talent show Asia's Got Talent with Marc Nelson. Co-starring Nabila Syakieb and Ravi Bhatia, he also featured in a romantic drama, :id:Cinta di Langit Taj Mahal|Cinta di Langit Taj Mahal as Reehan Syahputra, a calm and composed guy. In 2015, Sheikh landed a lead role in a romantic comedy film:id:Turis Romantis|Turis Romantis opposite actress Kirana Larasati where he played Azan Khan, a handsome photographer from India, who befriended Nabil, a tough and beautiful tourist guide in Yogyakarta.
Established actor (2016-present)
In 2016, Sheikh made his come back to Indian television with Sony TV's critically acclaimed television show, Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi alongside Erica Fernandes and Supriya Pilgaonkar. He played Dev Dixit, a young and successful business tycoon. In January 2017, the show Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi took a leap of 7 years after which Sheikh's character of Dev Dixit turned into a ruthless and careless Casanova. Sheikh's performance and his chemistry with Erica Fernandes was appreciated. Along with Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi he also did episodic roles and gave guest appearances in many Indonesian television series. He was seen as Raden Petir in :id:Roro Jonggrang |Roro Jonggrang, as Salman in :id:Malaikat Kecil Dari India|Malaikat Kecil Dari India, as Aladin/Ali Besar in Aladin & Alakadam, as Prince Zamzaman :id:Jinny Oh Jinny Datang Lagi|Jinny Oh Jinny Datang Lagi, as Mr. Thakur in :id:Gara Gara Duyung|Gara Gara Duyung, as Rahul in Tuyul & Mba Yul Reborn and in a guest appearance in :id:I-KTP|I-KTP. In 2016, he also starred opposite Masayu Anastasia in an Indonesian telefilm Namaku Yusuf wherein he played the titular role of Yusuf. In February 2017, he started working on his upcoming Indonesian feature film Maipa and Datu Museng, an action based love story in which Sheikh will play the role of Datu Museng, a warrior. The film released on 11 January 2018. Sheikh also has plans of producing web series and acting in them. In 2018, he portrayed Salim in Colors TV's Dastaan-E-Mohabbat: Salim Anarkali. He was paired opposite Sonarika Bhadoria. However it was axed soon within three months in January 2019 due to low viewership. In August 2018, he was chosen as first Indian torch bearer of the 18th Asian Games by Indonesian Government. Since March 2019, he plays Abir Rajvansh in Star Plus's Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, a spin-off of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, opposite Rhea Sharma. Producer Rajan Shahi stated his role as dynamic.
Media
In 2017, Sheikh topped in Times list of 20 Most Desirable Men on Indian Television. Next year he earned 4th spot in same list. In 2016, 2018 and 2019 he was placed at the 25th, 17th and 11th position in Eastern Eye's 50 Sexiest Asian Men List. In 2019, he earned 1st place in Fuze list of Most desirable men on TV.
