Saurav Gurjar
 | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (June 2016) |
| Saurav Gurjar | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 5, 1984 Dabra, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Residence | Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Deadly Danda Saurav Gurjar Saurav |
| Billed height | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)[1] |
| Billed weight | 148 kg (326 lb)[2] |
| Billed from | India |
| Debut | 2011 |
Saurav Gurjar is an Indian professional wrestler and actor, currently signed with WWE and performs on their NXT brand under the ring name Saurav. He is best known for his role as Bheem in the TV show Mahabharat.[3][4] On 14 January 2018, it was confirmed that Gurjar had signed a contract with WWE and will start training at their Performance Center. He is a former National Kickboxing Gold Medalist.
Early life[]
Gurjar hails from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and is a former National Kickboxing Gold medalist.[5]
Professional wrestling career[]
Ring Ka King (2011–2012)[]
In December 2011, he took part in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's India project, Ring Ka King, where he performed under the ring name Deadly Danda. He was a member of Jeff Jarrett's heel stable RDX alongside Abyss, Scott Steiner, Nick Aldis and Sonjay Dutt.[6]
WWE (2018–present)[]
On 14 January 2018, Gurjar signed a contract with WWE. He made his NXT debut at a live event at Orlando teaming with Rinku Singh in a loss to Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan.[5][7][1] On 21 March 2019, he and Singh started being managed by Robert Strauss on NXT live events.[8] Gurjar made his first televised appearance as a participant in the Worlds Collide men's battle. On 25 March 2020 episode of NXT, they made their debut by attacking Matt Riddle under new manager Malcolm Bivens.[citation needed] The following week, Bivens would introduce them as Rinku and Saurav (dropping their last names) while revealing their team name to be Indus Sher (sher means Lion) while collectively being known as Bivens Enterprises.[citation needed] In 2021, Rinku would be called up to WWE' main roster, aligning with Jinder Mahal on the Raw brand, thus ending the team.
Controversies[]
Pre tape photo leakings[]
During Adam Cole vs Keith Lee “Winner Take All” match that took place in NXT Great American Bash pre tapings. Gurjar took a photo and posted it to his Instagram story, which showed Lee celebrating with both titles and confetti falling down from the ceiling. The photo was later deleted. WWE kept this match as a secret but it revealed. Later During a backstage meeting, Gurjar stood up in front of the locker room and gave a heartfelt apology admitting that he had made a huge mistake. WWE officials said there would be no heat on him and no punishment is expected. WWE Performance Center head coach Matt Bloom is said to be a huge fan of that tag-team.
Acting career[]
In 2013, Gurjar started his acting venture and appeared on television.[5] He made his television debut with a serial Mahabharat in which he portrayed the role of Bheem.[9] The show was aired on Star Plus and had run from 2013 to 2014. He then appeared in Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman as Ravan and Vali from 2016 to 2017.[10]
He debuted in films with Brahmastra, which is scheduled to be released in 2021.[10]
Filmography[]
|
Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | Brahmastra
|
Negative role | Ayan Mukerji | Debut film Filming[11] |
Television[]
| Year | Show | Role | TV Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2014 | Mahabharat | Bheem | Star Plus | |
| 2014–2016 | The New Eat Bulaga! Indonesia | Host | ANTV | |
| 2016–2017 | Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman | Ravan and Vali | Sony TV | Replaced Aarya Babbar as Ravan |
| 2018 | Prithvi Vallabh | cameo | Sony TV |
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Nath, Parshathy J. (17 May 2017). "The ring is where the heart is". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ "Spot boys run away from me: Saurav Singh Gurjar". The Times of India. 2 December 2013.
- ^ "My build got me 'Mahabharat' role: Wrestler Saurav Gurjar". The Times of India. 10 May 2014.
- ^ Chopra, Rukmini (18 July 2014). "Mahabharat: Will Bheem succeed in seeking revenge from Dushasan?". BollywoodLife.com. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Rinku Singh, Saurav Gurjar eye WWE glory". hindustantimes. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
- ^ "Ring Ka King All-Time Roster". cagematch.net.
- ^ "WWE रिंग में 'महाबली' की तरह जौहर दिखाना चाहते हैं 'महाभारत के भीम' सौरव" (in Hindi). NDTVIndia. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ "NXT Sanford, FL, live results: Robbie e debuts, Dream vs. Riddle". 22 March 2019.
- ^ IANS (9 May 2014). "My build got me 'Mahabharat' role: Wrestler Saurav Gurjar". Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "WWE के इस रेसलर ने महाभारत में निभाया भीम का रोल, रणबीर की फिल्म में आएंगे नजर". aajtak.intoday.in (in Hindi). 21 May 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- ^ "This WWE wrestler will make his Bollywood debut in Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan's Brahmastra". Times Now News. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
External links[]
- Saurav Gurjar at IMDb
- Saurav Gurjar on WWE.com
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- 1980s births
- Living people
- Indian male professional wrestlers
- Male actors from Mumbai
- 21st-century Indian male actors
- People from Gwalior
- Indian actor stubs