Sonu Sood

Sonu Sood is a prominent Indian actor, producer, model, and humanitarian best known for his impactful roles in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Punjabi cinema. Born on 30 July 1973 in Moga, Punjab, Sonu hails from a well-educated and modest Punjabi family. His father, Shakti Sood, was an entrepreneur who owned a cloth shop, and his mother, Saroj Sood, was a professor of English. After completing his schooling in Moga, Sonu moved to Nagpur, Maharashtra, to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering from Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering. Despite his engineering background, Sonu always harbored a deep passion for the arts, particularly acting and modeling.

Sonu’s journey in the entertainment industry began in the late 1990s when he moved to Mumbai, struggling through auditions while modeling to make ends meet. He made his acting debut with the Tamil film “Kallazhagar” (1999), followed by “Hands Up!” (2000) in Telugu cinema. He gained broader recognition with his performance in the Hindi film “Shaheed-E-Azam” (2002), where he played the role of Bhagat Singh. However, his major Bollywood breakthrough came with “Yuva” (2004) and “Aashiq Banaya Aapne” (2005). He further cemented his place as a talented actor with his antagonist roles in “Arundhati” (2009, Telugu) and “Dabangg” (2010), where he played the iconic villain Chhedi Singh opposite Salman Khan.

Besides acting, Sonu Sood is also known for his dedication to fitness, his charismatic screen presence, and his work ethic, which has earned him accolades across industries. He has played a variety of roles, from villainous characters to comic and supportive roles in over 70 films across multiple languages. His performances in Telugu movies like “Athadu,” “Super,” “Jodha Akbar” (Hindi), and “Julayi” have earned him considerable fame in the South Indian film industry as well.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonu Sood rose to national and international prominence for his exceptional humanitarian work. He arranged transport for thousands of stranded migrant workers, provided food, shelter, and employment to those affected by the lockdown, and even set up helplines to respond to SOS calls from across India. His selfless service earned him titles such as the “Real Hero” and the “Messiah of Migrants.” The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) honored him with the SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award in 2020 for his social efforts.

Apart from acting and philanthropy, Sonu Sood is also a successful entrepreneur. He co-founded Shakti Sagar Productions and authored a memoir titled “I Am No Messiah,” which recounts his experiences during the pandemic. He continues to be involved in numerous charitable activities, including free education initiatives, healthcare campaigns, and financial assistance to those in need.

Sonu Sood remains a respected figure not just in cinema but also as a symbol of hope and resilience. His journey from a small-town boy with dreams to an acclaimed actor and real-life hero stands as an inspiration to millions.