Ankur Rathee (born 24 March 1991) is an Indian born-American actor. He is best known for his role in the Amazon Prime Video show Four More Shots Please (2019-2020).[1]

Ankur Rathee
Ankur Rathee at an event in 2020
Born (1991-03-24) 24 March 1991 (age 33)
CitizenshipAmerican
EducationPrinceton University
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present
Spouse
Anuja Joshi
(m. 2022)
RelativesSonia Rathee (sister)

Early life

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Ankur was born in Hisar, Haryana. He attended The Bishop's School, graduating cum laude in 2009.[2] He went on to graduate from Princeton University where he trained under Tony Award winner John Rando, Tony Award nominee Leigh Silverman, and Academy Award nominee Christina Lazaridi. He also briefly studied filmmaking at USC School of Cinematic Arts. After graduation, Ankur worked in New York City for an advertising technology firm before quitting his job and pursuing acting full-time.

Career

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As a student, Ankur was an active member of musical theater productions, a cappella groups, and dance companies. He began his professional acting career in New York City with short films and off-Broadway theater. In 2018, he found his way back to the stage, alongside Ila Arun and K. K. Raina, as the lead in Tammy Ryan's, Baby's Blues[3] which premiered at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. However, it was his portrayal of Arjun Nair, the young intern opposite Kirti Kulhari, in Four More Shots Please![4][5][6] that first garnered him notable recognition. That same year he played Arjun Mathur’s gay love interest in another Amazon Prime series, Made in Heaven. Ankur made his feature film debut with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah in The Tashkent Files. In 2020, he was back on the big screen again with Taapsee Pannu in Thappad and with Jim Sarbh in Taish. Ankur went on to book his first lead roles with the crime thriller series, Undekhi,[7] and the Marathi film, Nirmal En Route.[8] He also portrayed the role of Indian freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh, in the film Sarabha: Cry for Freedom.[9]

Personal life

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Ankur is married to actress Anuja Joshi since 2022, daughter of former child artist, Master Alankar, and niece of Pallavi Joshi.[10] In the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ankur drove 4,500 kilometers cross-country to propose on 19 July 2020.[11][12]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Role
2019 The Tashkent Files Imran Qureshi
2020 Thappad Karan Sandhu
Taish Krish Kalra
Sarabha: Cry For Freedom Bhagat Singh
Nirmal Enroute Jason
2022 Samaira
2023 Shehzada Raj Nanda
2023 Babylicious Nabeel

Web series

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Year Title Role
2019–2020 Four More Shots Please! Arjun Nair
2019 Made in Heaven Sam
Hello Mini Abhiraj Mukherjee
Mission Over Mars Gautam Gulati
2020–2024 Undekhi Daman
2021 City of Dreams Arvind Mehka
Inside Edge Allen Manezes
2022 Eternally Confused and Eager for Love Varun

References

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  1. ^ "Ankur Rathee Graduates From Boy Toy To Boyfriend In The Second Season Of Four More Shots Please!". www.mid-day.com. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Bishop's recognizes Cum Laude Society members". La Jolla Light. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  3. ^ ‘Baby’s Blues’: This play talks about postnatal depression
  4. ^ Exclusive: Four More Shots Please actor Ankur Rathee gets candid about enacting sex scenes with Kirti Kulhari
  5. ^ "Ankur Rathee Graduates From Boy Toy To Boyfriend In The Second Season Of Four More Shots Please!". www.mid-day.com. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Ankur Rathee graduates from Boy Toy to Boyfriend in the Second Season of Four More Shots Please!". www.indiatvnews.com. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Satisfied using my craft for entertainment: Ankur Rathee". www.deccanherald.com. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  8. ^ Lockdown Log: A Day In The Life Of Ankur Rathee
  9. ^ Meet The Latest Actor All Set To Play Freedom Fighter Bhagat Singh- Ankur Rathee
  10. ^ "Ankur Rathee and Anuja Joshi are MARRIED! See pics of their gorgeous destination wedding in UK". Hindustan Times. 16 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Ankur Rathee Gets Engaged to Anuja Joshi After Being in a Seven-year Long Relationship". www.news18.com. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Ankur Rathee travelled 4500 kms across US to propose to Anuja Joshi: 'The pandemic definitely threw a wrench in my plans'". www.hindustantimes.com. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
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