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Anirudh Agarwal Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 3, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth20 December 1949

Age70 Years (as in 2019)

BirthplaceVikasnagar, Uttarakhand

ProfessionActor

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseNeelam

FamilySon - Aseem Agarwal; Daughter - Kapila Agarwal

Anirudh Agarwal Biography

Anirudh Agarwal is an Indian film and television actor best known for his memorable horror role as Samri in the 1984 Ramsay Brothers film Purana Mandir. A

Early life and background
Anirudh Agarwal was born on 20 December 1949 in Vikasnagar, Uttarakhand. He grew up in a large family as one of eleven children and completed his higher education at the University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee), where he studied civil engineering. During his school and college years he was active in sports and student leadership, serving as general secretary of the youth council at his college.

After graduating, Agarwal worked as a civil contractor and joined the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai. A medical condition involving a pituitary gland tumour affected his appearance and increased his height; his listed physical measurements include a height of 1.93 meters (6'4") and black hair and eyes.

Career
Agarwal began his acting career under the name Ajay Agarwal and made his Bollywood debut in the 1982 film Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon. His breakthrough came when a friend suggested he meet the Ramsay Brothers, who were casting for a ghost role. He achieved wide recognition for portraying the character Samri in the 1984 horror film Purana Mandir, a performance that became his signature and led to steady work in Hindi cinema and television.

Following Purana Mandir, Agarwal appeared in a number of genre films and mainstream titles through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Notable film credits include 3D Saamri (1985), Ram Lakhan (1989), Bandh Darwaza (1990), Bandit Queen (1994), Dulhan Bani Daayan (1999), Mela (2000) and Mallika (2010). He also worked in television, appearing in series such as Zee Horror Show (1993), Tu Tu Main Main (1994), Mano Ya Na Mano (1995) and Shaktimaan (1997).

Agarwal's career extended to some international projects as well; his filmography lists a Hollywood credit for The Jungle Book (1994).

Public profile
Agarwal is an Indian national whose career has been strongly associated with horror cinema, particularly the Ramsay Brothers’ productions. His portrayal of Samri in Purana Mandir became so closely identified with him that the nickname entered public conversation in unexpected ways. He has been married to Neelam and is the father of two children: a son, Aseem Agarwal, who made his acting debut in the 2006 film Fight Club, and a daughter, Kapila Agarwal, who appeared in the 2005 film Bunty Aur Babli and works as an architect.

Latest updates
As of the information provided, Agarwal's most recent listed film credit is Mallika (2010). His early prominence in horror and ongoing presence across film and television credits underline a career spanning several decades, from his on-screen debut in 1982 through work into the 2000s.
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Recent Work

Mallika

Film appearance

2010
The Jungle Book

Hollywood film credit

1994
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Career Highlights

  1. Debuted in Bollywood with Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon (1982)
  2. Breakthrough role as Samri in Purana Mandir (1984)
  3. Regular appearances in horror films and television through the 1980s–2000s
  4. Worked in both Indian and international films
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Anirudh Agarwal born?

20 December 1949

What is Anirudh Agarwal known for?

Actor

What is Anirudh Agarwal’s marital status?

Married

Who is Anirudh Agarwal married to?

Neelam