Zain Imam
Indian television actor (born 1988)
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Zain Imam is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Hindi television. He is best known for his portrayal of Neil Khanna in Star Plus show Naamkaran and Yuvraj Luthra in Zee TV's Tashan-E-Ishq which earned him Gold Awards for Best Actor in Negative Role. He is also known for his role as Agastya Raichand in Fanaa: Ishq Mein Marjawan. In 2019, Imam participated in Colors TV's stunt-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 9.
Zain Imam | |
|---|---|
Imam in 2023 | |
| Born | Syed Zain Imam 18 May 1988 |
| Alma mater | University of Delhi |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Known for | |
| Awards | Gold Awards (For Best Actor in Negative Role and Most Stylish Actor) |
Career
Early career and success (2014–2017)
Imam started his career as a model, working for agencies such as Aldo Group, and also did few TV commercials before debuting in Hindi television. His first work as an actor came with MTV India television series Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan where he played Abhimanyu Thakkar.[1]
From 2015 to 2016, he played a grey-shaded character of Yuvraj Luthra in Zee TV's love triangle Tashan-e-Ishq opposite Jasmin Bhasin.[2][3] The show proved a breakout for him, he won the Gold Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role.[4]
Then, he was cast as Abir Dharmadhikari, new male lead of Zee TV's Yeh Vaada Raha when it took a large leap, from October 2016 to January 2017.
Establishment and other projects (2017–2021)
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Imam got his biggest success when he was introduced as ACP Neil Khanna in StarPlus's romantic-drama Naamkarann along with Aditi Rathore after a generation leap.[5] The show wrapped up in May 2018.[6]
After doing an episodic in &TV's Laal Ishq with Mahhi Vij. Imam entered the popular StarPlus's series Ishqbaaaz as Mohit Malhotra, a full-fledged antagonist in September 2018.
Venturing into reality shows, Imam made his debut in reality with participated in the adventure stunt-based show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 9 in 2019 where he finished at 9th place.[7]
His subsequent fictional role as Kabir Mittal, a former army officer in StarPlus' mystery revenge drama Ek Bhram Sarvagun Sampanna failed to impress audience.[8] He was next seen in the music video Tanhaai by Tulsi Kumar under T-Series in 2020.[9]
In 2021, Imam progressed into digital platform with the web series Crashh portrayed Dr. Rishabh Sachdeva co-starring Rohan Mehra, Kunj Anand, Aditi Sharma and Anushka Sen.[10]
Television comeback (2022–present)
Imam returned to television after a long break of 3 years with his role of Agastya Raichand an obsessive/possessive lover, the main protagonist in Gul Khan production Fanaa: Ishq Mein Marjawan on Colors TV opposite Reem Shaikh.[11][12] for which he received praise from audience. The show ended on 2 September 2022.[13] In March 2023, he made a brief appearance in Bekaboo as Pratham Raichand opposite Shivangi Joshi.[14] From September 2024 to April 2025, Imam portrayed Teerth Mittal in Colors TV's Suman Indori.
In the media
He appeared in the Times of India's Top 20 "Most Desirable Men" list rank at No. 5 in 2018[15] and at No. 15 in 2019.[16]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2015 | Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan | Abhimanyu Thakkar | [17] | |
| 2015–2016 | Tashan-e-Ishq | Yuvraj "Yuvi" Luthra | [18] | |
| 2016–2017 | Yeh Vaada Raha | Abir Dharmadhikari | [19] | |
| 2017–2018 | Naamkarann | ACP Neil Khanna | [20] | |
| 2018 | Ishqbaaaz | Mohit Malhotra | [21] | |
| Laal Ishq | Arjun | Episode: "Raatrani" | [22] | |
| 2019 | Khatron Ke Khiladi 9 | Contestant | 10th place | [23] |
| Ek Bhram Sarvagun Sampanna | Kabir Mittal | [24] | ||
| 2022 | Fanaa: Ishq Mein Marjawan | Agastya Raichand / Arjun "Vicky" Sharma | [25] | |
| 2023 | Bekaboo | Pratham Raichand | Special appearance | [26] |
| 2024–2025 | Suman Indori | Teerth Mittal | [27] | |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Never Kiss Your Bestfriend - Lockdown Special | Zayed | [28] | |
| Poison | Harshvardhan Oberoi | Season 2 | [29] | |
| 2021 | Crashh | Dr. Rishabh Sachdeva | [30] | |
| 2022 | Fanaa: Ishq Mein Marjawan: Aakhri Imtihaan | Agastya Raichand / Arjun "Vicky" Sharma | [31] | |
| 2025 | Lady Boss Returns | Randhir | Microdrama |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Singer(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Yaara 2 | Mamta Sharma | [32] |
| 2020 | Yaariyan | ||
| Tanhaai | Tulsi Kumar | [33] | |
| 2021 | Mujhko Mana Lena | Alka Yagnik, Ashok Ojha | [34] |
| Ishqiya | Shubham Singh Rajput | [35] | |
| Promise | Ayaana Khan | [36] | |
| 2022 | Puri Bottle Ve | Ayaana Khan | [37] |
| Mulaqaat | Sumit Bhalla | [38] | |
| Mukuraa Lena Tum | Palak Muchhal | [39] | |
| Humko Tumse Pyaar Hua | Soham Naik | [40] | |
| Bahut Bewafa Hai Wo | Javed Ali | [41] | |
| 2023 | Jo Haal Dil Ka | Dev Negi, Priya Saraiya | [42] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Gold Awards | Best Actor In Negative Role (Critics) | Tashan-e-Ishq | Won | [43] |
| 2019 | Most Stylish Actor | N/a | Won | [44] | |
| 2017 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actor (Popular) | Naamkarann | Nominated | [citation needed] |
| 2018 | Nominated | [citation needed] | |||
| 2019 | Indian Telly Awards | Best On-screen Couple (with Aditi Rathore) | Nominated | [citation needed] | |
| 2020 | Gold Glam and Style Awards | Hotstepper (Male) TV | N/a | Won | |
| 2022 | 22nd Indian Television Academy | Best Actor (Popular) | Fanaa: Ishq Mein Marjawan | Nominated | [citation needed] |
| 2023 | Gold Awards | Best Actor in a Lead Role | Nominated | [45] | |
| Best Jodi (with Reem Shaikh) | |||||
| Most Fit Actor | N/a | ||||
| Style Icon | N/a | ||||
| 2025 | Indian Telly Awards | Fan Favorite Star - Colors TV | Suman Indori | Won | [46] |
