Biography

Indra Kumar, born Indra Irani, is an Indian film actor, director, and producer.

Born in a simple family, his siblings made a big name for themselves in the Hindi film industry. He owes his upbringing and success to his eldest sister Aruna Irani, who looked after all her siblings after their mother passed away.

He studied at Utpal Shaangvi Global School, Mumbai, and then at Ascend International School, Mumbai. He made his acting debut in Kismat (1969) and was also a part of Biwi Kiraya Ki (1975).

Kumar's Gujarati debut was in Gangapur Ni Ganga (1980). In 1981, he also appeared in an Assamese movie Charotar Ni Champa (1982).

Kumar launched his production house in 1985, named Maruti Films Pvt Ltd, in partnership with Ashok Navalkumar. His debut as a producer was in Mohabbat (1985), and he has produced films like Kasam (1988) and Daddy Cool: Join the Fun (2009).

Kumar's directorial debut was the blockbuster movie Dil (1990), with Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit, which earned Rs.180 million and was nominated for eight awards.

Kumar's next movie, Beta (1992), starring Aruna Irani, Madhuri Dixit, and Anil Kapoor, got him his first nomination for Best Director at Filmfare for the movie.

Kumar's movie Raja (1995), starring Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Kapoor, earned him another Best Director nomination at Filmfare Awards in the year 1996.

His movie Ishq (1997) with superstars Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla, Ajay Devgnand Kajol earned Rs. 500 million worldwide.

Kumar then made movies like Mann - Soul's Heart (1999), Aashiq (2001), and Masti (2004). In the year 2007, he directed another blockbuster movie Dhamaal (2007), with superstars Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, and Riteish Deshmukh, which grossed over Rs. 800 million worldwide.

Four years later, Kumar released Double Dhamaal (2011), which also included Kangana Ranaut and Mallika Sherawat. His next movie was Grand Masti (2013), which was a sequel to the Masti franchise. This movie earned approximately Rs 1.3 billion.

Kumar went on to make the movie Super Nani (2014) and Great Grand Masti (2016).

In 2019, Kumar released Total Dhamaal (2019), with Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit, and Arshad Warsi, which collected almost Rs. 2 billion in 12 days.

Kumar's next movie was Thank God (2022), starring Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra.