Contents
Deepak Tijori is an Indian film director, actor, and producer who works in Bollywood, Gujarati, and Nepali films.
Wiki/Biography
Deepak Tijori was born on Monday, 28 August 1961 (age 62 years; as of 2023) in Mumbai. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He did his graduation from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Eye Colour: Light Brown
Hair Colour: Black
Family, Caste & Wife
Deepak Tijori was married to Shivani Tijori, a fashion designer. The couple got separated in 2017 due to differences. He has a daughter named Samara Tijori.
Deepak Tijori with his ex-wife and daughter
Deepak Tijori with his Daughter
Career
As an Actor
Deepak Tijori made his acting debut with the film “Tera Naam Mera Naam” (1988) in which, he portrayed a minor role and continued doing minor roles in the films “Parbat Ke Us Paar” (1988) and “Main Tera Dushman” (1989).
He also played a negative role in Shashilal K. Nair’s film “Kroadh” (1990). His first important role came with the Mahesh Bhatt‘s romantic drama “Aashiqui” (1990). The film was a huge box office hit and youth used re-enact his hand gestures in the film at that time.
Deepak Tijori in a Scene from Aashiqui (1990)
Deepak has mostly played negative and supporting roles in his acting career; a few of his popular films include Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Pehla Nasha (1993), Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994), Anjaam (1994), Ghulam (1998), Baadshah (1999), Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), Raja Natwarlal (2014), and Gollu Aur Pappu (2014). He made his Gujarati debut with “Hu Tu Ne Ramtudi” (1999).
Hu Tu Ne Ramtudi (1999)
He did one more Gujarati film titled “Madi Jaya” (2005). Deepak made his Nepali film debut “Jeevan Dan” (2002). He made his television debut with the mini-series “Bombay Blue” (1997). He appeared in the 2019 ZEE5 web series “Abhay” as Chander Singh.
As a Director/Producer
He made his directorial debut in 2003 with “Oops!,” a film based on male strippers. He also wrote and produced the film. The film was termed controversial and faced problems with the Censor Board of India.
He directed other films like Fareb (2005), Khamoshh… Khauff Ki Raat (2005), Tom, Dick, and Harry (2006), Fox (2009), and Rock’In Love (2013). The last film directed by Deepak was “Do Lafzon Ki Kahani” (2016).
He has his own production house by the name Tijori films. He made his debut as a producer with the TV series “X-Zone” (1998). He has produced many television serials and films such as Rishtey, 1984 — Black October, Saturday Suspense, Khauff, Dial 100, and Thriller at 10 – Fareb.
Controversies
- In 2012, Garden Estate Co-operative Society in Goregaon, Mumbai asked Tijori to vacate their house within a month, following the complaint from his neighbours. Deepak’s neighbours had filed a resolution at the registrar’s office against his family for their rude behaviour, disrespectful attitude towards paying bills, and society’s office bearer’s. Tijori responded by slamming a criminal case against nine members of the society. In 2014, the registrar gave the decision in Tijori’s favour.
- In 2017, Deepak’s wife, Shivani apparently threw him out of their Goregaon house in Mumbai. Reportedly, Shivani had found out about her husband’s alleged affair with his yoga instructor. She had also accused Deepak of domestic violence. Following the incident, Deepak started living in his friends home or in PGs. The things between them got out of hands, and both of them filed for a divorce, and Shivani also filed for maintenance saying,
I am a deserted wife. I cannot maintain my expenses. My husband is liable to do the needful for me and my daughter.
However, to their surprise, their marriage turned out to be a null and void; as Shivani had never got divorced from her husband.
- His film “Do Lafzon Ki Kahani” (2016) had already ignited controversy in public for its intimate scenes. The lead actress, Kajal Aggarwal; slammed the director in a Television talk show; confessing about her mental agony while performing the scenes. Kajal also stated that she would not work with Deepak again.
Facts/Trivia
- He likes watching movies and surfing the internet during his leisure time.
- While studying in college, Tijori joined a theatre group which included Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker (director), Paresh Rawal, and Vipul Shah (director) who were his friends from his college days and had also lived in his locality.
- His friends (Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Paresh Rawal, and Vipul Shah) always talked about films and being in them, which influenced him to pursue acting as his career.
- Before making his acting debut, Deepak worked as a space seller in Cineblitz Magazine and front office manager in Hotel Searock, Mumbai.
- During the first three years of his struggling days in his acting career in Mumbai, he had to wait outside production houses to talk with producers and only managed to get small roles in films. Deepak had nearly given up on films when Mahesh Bhatt wished to cast him in his film “Aashiqui.” Talking about it, he says,
One of the coactors Aftab Gill told me that Mahesh Bhatt wanted to talk to me. Robin Bhatt had recommended my name. I met him and he narrated the friend’s role. I had played ridiculous roles like this before in Afsana Pyaar Ka, Parbat Ke Us Paar, Kaun Kare Kurbani. And I wondered how much worse could Ashiqui be? But I had faith in Mahesh Bhatt, so I agreed. Things changed a lot after that.
- Akshay Kumar had auditioned for the role of ‘Shekhar Malhotra’ in the film “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar” (1992). Milind Soman was initially signed for the role, but he quit the film after a few days of shooting, and eventually, the role went to Deepak.
- In 2001, Tijori was awarded the Indian Television Academy Award for best mini-series for “Thriller at 10 – Fareb.”
- Deepak Tijori was a wild card entrant in the first season of Bigg Boss, as a replacement for Salil Ankola in 2006. He was evicted from the show a month later. After his eviction, he stated that he would make a film based on the show. Making controversial statements about the show, Tijori called the show a ‘laundered reality.’
Deepak Tijori in Bigg Boss
- In 2009, Deepak’s daughter, Samara was returning to her home from Andheri after shopping with her friend, when an auto driver stopped by her and kidnapped her. Samara’s friend reported the incident to her family, following which, Deepak registered a kidnapping case in the police station. Samara was able to flee from the kidnapper and returned to her home, a couple of hours later. The kidnapper was arrested later.
- Deepak was also one of the judges of the pageants “Miss India Worldwide 2006” and “Miss India Worldwide 2009.”
- In 2018, Deepak replaced Shah Rukh Khan as ‘Bob Parr/Mr Incredible’ in Hindi version of the animated film “Incredibles 2.”
- He is an avid animal lover and owns two dogs named Frazer and Muffin.
Deepak Tijori’s daughter, Samara with their dogs