Avinash Tiwary (born 15 August) is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films and series. Tiwary had his first major roles in the television series Yudh (2014) and in the film Tu Hai Mera Sunday (2016). He gained recognition for starring in the romance Laila Majnu (2018) and the supernatural film Bulbbul (2020). Tiwary has since starred in the crime series Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022), Bambai Meri Jaan (2023) and Kaala (2023), and in the comedy film Madgaon Express (2024).

Early life and education

Tiwary was born on 15 August in Gopalganj, Bihar. His family relocated to Mumbai, a few years after his birth. Tiwary completed school and engineering in Mumbai. In order to pursue acting, he quit engineering studies in the fourth semester and joined theater. He joined Barry John's acting studio and later went to New York Film Academy. He started appearing in short films since 2005.

Career

In theater, he worked with Om Katare, an established artist. After his stint at the New York Film Academy, he started his career with the documentary, ''Anamika: Her Glorious Past'', in 2006. In 2009, he worked in the film, ''Suno Na.. Ek Nanhi Aawaz'', marking his Hindi film debut. In 2014, Tiwary worked alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the TV series ''Yudh'', where he played an antagonist, Advocate Ajatshatru. In 2014, Tiwary worked alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the TV series ''Yudh'', where he played an antagonist, Advocate Ajatshatru. Avinash had his first major role in the 2016 Milind Dhaimade's directorial debut, ''Tu Hai Mera Sunday'', which revolves around the lives of five friends. He played Rashid opposite Rasika Duggal. The film had its world premiere at the 60th BFI London Film Festival and received positive critical acclaim. In his review for ''NDTV'', Raja Sen found Tiwary to be "wiry and likeable". The film tells the classic story of Laila and Majnu, set in contemporary times, he played Majnu opposite Tripti Dimri's Laila. Tiwary underwent major physical transformation for the role and received critical acclaim for the film. Devesh Sharma from ''Filmfare'' noted, "Avinash shares sparkling chemistry with Tripti, and has acted like a force of nature in the film. You can only see Majnu near the end and not the actor." He later signed a three-film deal with Balaji Motion Pictures in 2019.In 2020, Tiwary starred in two Netflix horror films. He first played Dhruv in ''Ghost Stories'' opposite Mrunal Thakur. The film received negative reviews from critics. Tiwary then played Satya, a wealthy law graduate in ''Bulbbul'', alongside Tripti Dimri. Stutee Ghosh of ''The Quint'' stated that Tiwary added a "credible potency" to his character.Tiwary played a married doctor engaged in an affair opposite Parineeti Chopra and Aditi Rao Hydari, in the 2021 mystery thriller ''The Girl on the Train''. ''Bollywood Hungama'' found him to be "dependable".In 2022, Tiwary's career saw a turning point with his web debut in the Neeraj Pandey's series ''Khakee: The Bihar Chapter''. Based on true event, he played Chandan, a lower-caste truck driver, part of the Ashok Mahto gang. Rahul Desai of ''Film Companion'' stated, "Avinash Tiwary does a good job as the dacoit-styled baddie, but his character is hampered by a script that puts effect over any real reading of human nature." In the same year, he played a married man Inder, opposite Mrunal Thakur in the short film ''Jahaan''. ''Times of India'''s Archika Khurana praised Tiwary and Thakur's chemistry. Tiwary appeared in two crime thriller series in 2023. He first appeared in Excel Entertainment's ''Bambai Meri Jaan'', opposite Amyra Dastur. Tiwary appeared in two crime thriller series in 2023. He first appeared in Excel Entertainment's ''Bambai Meri Jaan'', opposite Amyra Dastur. He played Dara Kadri, a character based on Dawood Ibrahim. Anuj Kumar of ''The Hindu'' opined, "Avinash journey is more internal and at times his brooding intensity becomes a little too much but overall he provides a competent counterpoint to Kay Kay." Next, Tiwary appeared in ''T-Series Films''s ''Kaala''. He played Ritwik, an IB officer opposite Nivetha Pethuraj. Deepa Gahlot was critical of his "half-baked" character. Both these series proved crucial for Tiwary and earned him recognition.In 2024, Tiwary played Ayush, one of the three friends stuck in Goa in Kunal Khemu's directorial debut ''Madgaon Express''. Mayur Sanap from ''Rediff.com'' noted, "Avinash Tiwary takes a little while to warm up to his role, but when he finally gets there, it works really well." While, Pratikshya Mishra of ''The Quint'' opined, "Avinash flips the idea of the 'hunk' in Bollywood by playing Ayush with a charm that makes him even more attractive."

Early work and breakthrough (2009-2021)

In theater, he worked with Om Katare, an established artist. After his stint at the New York Film Academy, he started his career with the documentary, ''Anamika: Her Glorious Past'', in 2006. In 2009, he worked in the film, ''Suno Na.. Ek Nanhi Aawaz'', marking his Hindi film debut. In 2014, Tiwary worked alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the TV series ''Yudh'', where he played an antagonist, Advocate Ajatshatru. In 2014, Tiwary worked alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the TV series ''Yudh'', where he played an antagonist, Advocate Ajatshatru. Avinash had his first major role in the 2016 Milind Dhaimade's directorial debut, ''Tu Hai Mera Sunday'', which revolves around the lives of five friends. He played Rashid opposite Rasika Duggal. The film had its world premiere at the 60th BFI London Film Festival and received positive critical acclaim. In his review for ''NDTV'', Raja Sen found Tiwary to be "wiry and likeable". The film tells the classic story of Laila and Majnu, set in contemporary times, he played Majnu opposite Tripti Dimri's Laila. Tiwary underwent major physical transformation for the role and received critical acclaim for the film. Devesh Sharma from ''Filmfare'' noted, "Avinash shares sparkling chemistry with Tripti, and has acted like a force of nature in the film. You can only see Majnu near the end and not the actor." He later signed a three-film deal with Balaji Motion Pictures in 2019.In 2020, Tiwary starred in two Netflix horror films. He first played Dhruv in ''Ghost Stories'' opposite Mrunal Thakur. The film received negative reviews from critics. Tiwary then played Satya, a wealthy law graduate in ''Bulbbul'', alongside Tripti Dimri. Stutee Ghosh of ''The Quint'' stated that Tiwary added a "credible potency" to his character.Tiwary played a married doctor engaged in an affair opposite Parineeti Chopra and Aditi Rao Hydari, in the 2021 mystery thriller ''The Girl on the Train''. ''Bollywood Hungama'' found him to be "dependable".

Career progression (2022-present)

In 2022, Tiwary's career saw a turning point with his web debut in the Neeraj Pandey's series ''Khakee: The Bihar Chapter''. Based on true event, he played Chandan, a lower-caste truck driver, part of the Ashok Mahto gang. Rahul Desai of ''Film Companion'' stated, "Avinash Tiwary does a good job as the dacoit-styled baddie, but his character is hampered by a script that puts effect over any real reading of human nature." In the same year, he played a married man Inder, opposite Mrunal Thakur in the short film ''Jahaan''. ''Times of India'''s Archika Khurana praised Tiwary and Thakur's chemistry. Tiwary appeared in two crime thriller series in 2023. He first appeared in Excel Entertainment's ''Bambai Meri Jaan'', opposite Amyra Dastur. Tiwary appeared in two crime thriller series in 2023. He first appeared in Excel Entertainment's ''Bambai Meri Jaan'', opposite Amyra Dastur. He played Dara Kadri, a character based on Dawood Ibrahim. Anuj Kumar of ''The Hindu'' opined, "Avinash journey is more internal and at times his brooding intensity becomes a little too much but overall he provides a competent counterpoint to Kay Kay." Next, Tiwary appeared in ''T-Series Films''s ''Kaala''. He played Ritwik, an IB officer opposite Nivetha Pethuraj. Deepa Gahlot was critical of his "half-baked" character. Both these series proved crucial for Tiwary and earned him recognition.In 2024, Tiwary played Ayush, one of the three friends stuck in Goa in Kunal Khemu's directorial debut ''Madgaon Express''. Mayur Sanap from ''Rediff.com'' noted, "Avinash Tiwary takes a little while to warm up to his role, but when he finally gets there, it works really well." While, Pratikshya Mishra of ''The Quint'' opined, "Avinash flips the idea of the 'hunk' in Bollywood by playing Ayush with a charm that makes him even more attractive."