Ashutosh Rana

Ashutosh Ramnarayan Neekhra (born 10 November 1967), known professionally as Ashutosh Rana, is an Indian actor, producer, author and television personality. He has worked in Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi films along with working in various Indian television shows. He is known for his portrayal of negative roles. He has received several awards including a Filmfare OTT Award and two Filmfare Awards.

Besides his acting career, he is an author and philanthropist. Some books written by him include 'Maun Muskaan Ki Maar' and 'Ramrajya'.

Early and personal life
Rana was born on 10 November 1967 in Gadarwara, Madhya Pradesh. He lived in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in his childhood. He graduated from the Dr. Hari Singh Gaur University in Madhya Pradesh. He is the cousin of Rameshwar Neekhra, an Indian politician. He is married to actress Renuka Shahane. They have two sons, Shauryaman and Satyendra.

Television
Rana appeared in the television serial Swabhimaan, which followed by serials such as Farz, Sazish, Jax Kabhi, Waris. He anchored the TV show, Baazi Kiski. He also hosted Sarkaar Ki Duniya, a reality show which took place on Mango Island in Karwar, Karnataka. In 2010, he featured in the Star Plus show Kaali- Ek Agnipariksha, where he played the negative role of Thakral.

Films
Rana received recognition for his negative role in Dushman, where he played a cold blooded psychopathic killer. Throughout his career, he has predominantly played negative and supporting roles. He has won two Filmfare Awards for Best Villain for his performances in Dushman and Sangharsh.

Apart from featuring in Hindi films, he has appeared in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films.

In 2021, he won the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original film for his performance as a grief-stricken father in Pagglait.

Telugu films

 * Venky (2004) as Yogendra Kumar Sharma
 * Bangaram (2006) as Bhooma Reddy
 * Okka Magadu (2008) as Namboodriyar
 * Victory (2008) as MLA K. Devraj
 * Balupu (2013) as Poorna
 * Tadakha (2013) as Bagga
 * Pataas (2015) as G. K.
 * Courier Boy Kalyan (2015)
 * Krishnashtami (2016)
 * Nene Raju Nene Mantri (2017) as Subbarayudu
 * Jai Simha (2018) as Thota Rami Reddy
 * Saakshyam (2018) as Munuswamy's 2nd brother
 * Viswamitra (2019) as A. Rana
 * Kalki (2019) as Narsappa

Tamil films

 * Vettai (2012) as Annachi
 * Meaghamann (2014) as King Jothi
 * Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum (2016) as Arun
 * Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva (2017) as G. K.
 * Johnny (2018) as Ram
 * Sangathamizhan (2019) as Kulandaivel
 * Maaligai (2021) as King Vikramaditya

Kannada films

 * Vishnu Vijaya (1993)
 * Vishnu Sena (2005)
 * Kshana Kshana (2007) as Rana
 * Avatara Purusha (2022) as Darka
 * Avatara Purusha 2 (2024) as Darka

Marathi films

 * Sankasur (2013)
 * Yeda

Host

 * Sarkaar Ki Duniya (2009)
 * Baazi Kiski (2001)
 * Savdhaan India (2019 – present)

Television

 * Tehkikaat (1994) Episode 21 to 23 A Mystery Behind Sleep Walking Disorder as Shyam
 * Swabhimaan (1995) as Tyagi
 * Aahat (1995) Episode 1 The Closed Room, Episode 12 to 15 Explosion as Avinash
 * X-Zone (1998-2000) Episode 47
 * Saturday Suspense (1997-1999) as Inspector Raghuraj
 * Waris (1999)
 * Farz (2001)
 * Kaali- Ek Agnipariksha (2010)
 * Saazish
 * Kabhi Kabhi
 * Dhundh
 * Apradhi Kaun? as Inspector Gaurav Gambhir
 * Chhatrasal (2021) as Aurangzeb
 * Aranyak (2021) as Mahadev Dogra
 * The Great Indian Murder (2022) as Jagganath Rai
 * Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022) as IG Mukteshwar Chaubey IPS
 * Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond (2024) as Raqib Hamid Askani
 * Murder In Mahim (2024) as Peter Fernandes

Awards

 * Screen Awards
 * 1999 Won Screen Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role for Dushman


 * Zee Cine Awards
 * 1999 Won Zee Cine Award for Best Villain for Dushman.
 * 2000 Won Zee Cine Award for Best Villain for Sangharsh.


 * Filmfare Best Villain Award
 * 1999: Won Dushman
 * 2000: Won Sangharsh


 * South Indian International Movie Awards
 * 2014: Nominated- SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role (Telugu)-Tadakha
 * 2021: Won - 2021 Filmfare OTT Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film Pagglait.