{{short description|Indian actor (born 1987)}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Taha Shah Badussha | image = Taaha Shah at Grazia Millennial Awards 2023 (cropped).jpg | caption = Shah in 2023 | birth_name = Taha Shah Badussha | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|11|19}} | birth_place = Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | death_date = | death_place = | citizenship = India | other_names = | occupation = Actor | years_active = 2011–present | relatives = | website = {{URL|tahashah.com}} | education = }}
'''Taha Shah Badussha''' (born 19 November 1987) is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films. After making his debut with the romantic comedy ''Luv Ka The End'' (2011), he appeared in the comedy-drama ''Gippi'' (2013). In 2024, Shah earned recognition for his role in the Netflix period drama series ''Heeramandi''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Frater|first=Patrick|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/sanjay-leela-bhansali-heeramandi-the-diamond-bazaar-1235893808/|title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' Drops First Footage|work=Variety|access-date=31 January 2024|date=1 February 2024|archive-date=1 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201043026/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/sanjay-leela-bhansali-heeramandi-the-diamond-bazaar-1235893808/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Early life and work == Taha Shah was born in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to parents from India. His father Shah Sikkander Badusha is an orthopedic doctor, hails from Tamil Nadu, India. His mother Mahnaz Sikkander Badusha was a biochemist, hails from Karnataka, India.<ref name="credits" /> He has an elder brother, Abid, who is a Lead Civil engineer from the University of Toronto.
Taha's schooling spanned two countries beginning with the Sherwood Academy in Abu Dhabi and later at Kodaikanal International School, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. He later completed his schooling at the International School of Choueifat and Sharjah American International School. Following this, Taha enrolled at the American University of Sharjah for to pursue a Business Administration program, but later dropped from the course. Since 2006, Taha involved himself in several businesses such as human resource management, construction, real estate, and supply of construction material. Shah concept of a steel import business was abandoned following recession, as it was reported to be a successful venture until economic downturn struck him.<ref name="credits">{{cite web|title=Taaha Shah credits UAE for helping him navigate Bollywood|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/taaha-shah-credits-uae-for-helping-him-navigate-bollywood-1.273708/|access-date=27 May 2013}}</ref>
== Acting career == He later made a trip to Toronto, Canada, to visit his brother for New Year's Eve in 2009, where he finalised acting as his career. Then, he took admission to the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in Abu Dhabi. Taha had also learnt acting while studying in Abu Dhabi. After completing six months at NYFA, he was about to leave for Los Angeles to complete the remainder of his course, when his father thought that Taha should move to Mumbai first. His mother too agreed and two weeks later (in September 2009) Taha came to Mumbai for a two-day visit with his family and incidentally, they remained over there. In Mumbai he spent countless hours practicing dancing and martial arts.<ref name="credits"/>
Nine months later, Taha was signed for his debut film, ''Luv Ka The End'' by Y-Films. He was cast as an antihero, the first of its kind role in the youth genre. He was seen for a second time in the 2013 movie ''Gippi'' by Dharma Productions, which released on 10 May 2013.<ref name="big budget">{{cite news|title=Taaha Shah happy to work in big budget films|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Taaha-Shah-happy-to-work-in-big-budget-films/Article1-1054814.aspx|access-date=27 May 2013|newspaper=Hindustan Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505121916/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Taaha-Shah-happy-to-work-in-big-budget-films/Article1-1054814.aspx|archive-date=5 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Taha received positive reviews for his performance, and Karan Johar said, "Taha has a strong screen presence that combines machismo and vulnerability. I am sure he will have a great innings at the movies." Ramesh S. Taurani noted, "With two back-to-back good performances, Taha has the potential to be someone who is here to stay. Right choices of films will ensure a strong foothold for him in the industry. I wish him best of luck and loads of success." Rensil D'Silva wrote, "Taha has the right mix of vulnerability and intensity to straddle many genres — be it a romcom, an intense drama or a thriller. And to top it all, he's a good actor. That's an enviable mix." Nikhil Advani described, "Taha is one of the few new talents showing that acting is about versatility. With his second film ''Gippi'', he's chosen the right path."<ref name="comment">{{cite news|title=Bollywood bats for Taha Shah|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Bollywood-bats-for-Taaha-Shah/articleshow/20206654.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609070146/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-23/news-interviews/39474891_1_bollywood-bats-taaha-shah-bollywood-debut|url-status=live|archive-date=9 June 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=24 May 2013}}</ref>
In 2015, he acted in Mahesh Bhatt's ''Barkhaa'' opposite Pakistani actress Sara Loren. The movie was declared a commercial disaster but its songs was memorable including "Khuda Bhi Na Dikhe" and "Tu Itni Khoobsurat Hai". In 2016, he appeared in Karan Johar's ''Baar Baar Dekho'' alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif, playing the role of Tarun. The film became a failure at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/baar-baar-dekho-sidharth-katrina-mohenjo-daro-fitoor-ki-and-ka-2016-flop-films-340617-2016-09-12|title=Baar Baar Dekho to Fitoor: 2016's glossy films which sank without a trace|date=12 September 2016}}</ref> In 2017, Shah acted in ''Ranchi Diaries'' playing Pinku.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/is-taahas-character-in-ranchi-diaries-inspired-by-godfather/articleshow/59862352.cms|title=Is Taha's character in Ranchi Diaries inspired by Godfather?|newspaper=The Times of India |date=3 August 2017}}</ref> In 2020, he made his Hollywood debut with ''Draupadi Unleashed'' playing Gautam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/celebs/2020/mar/27/bollywood-actor-taaha-shah-badusha-makes-his-hollywood-debut-with-draupadi-unleashed-23515.html|title=Bollywood actor Taha Shah Badusha makes his Hollywood debut with Draupadi Unleashed|date=27 March 2020}}</ref> In January 2021, he acted in the web series ''Bullets'' (which was previously titled ''Tina and Lolo'') playing Mario opposite Karishma Tanna.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/binge-watch/story/sunny-leone-is-all-excited-to-do-high-octane-action-in-new-web-series-bullets-1757146-2021-01-08|title=Sunny Leone is all excited to do high-octane action in new web series Bullets|date=8 January 2021}}</ref> In March 2021, he acted in Ekta Kapoor and ALT Balaji's ''Bekaboo 2'' playing Novin opposite Priya Banerjee.<ref name=":1a">{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2021/Feb/17/luv-ka-the-end-actor-taha-shah-set-for-digital-outing-in-bekaboo-2-2265252.html|title='Luv Ka The End' actor Taha Shah set for digital outing in 'Bekaboo 2'|date=17 February 2021}}</ref>
Shah debuted as a singer when he released his 2022 single "Vande Mataram". Shah played the role of Tajdar in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Netflix series ''Heeramandi''.<ref name=":1b">{{cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/actor-taaha-shah-badussha-makes-singing-debut-vande-mataram-1503099432.html|title=Actor Taaha Shah Badussha makes his singing debut with 'Vande Mataram'|website=The Statesman |date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/taha-shah-badussha-ambition-first-indian-heeramandi-season-2-1235983467/|title=Taha Shah Badussha On Ambition To Be The First Indian James Bond & Whether Sanjay Leela Bhansali Will Helm 'Heeramandi' Season 2|date=27 June 2024 |publisher=Deadline}}</ref>
== Filmography == * ''All films are in Hindi, unless otherwise noted'' {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2011 | scope="row" | ''Luv Ka The End'' | Luv Nanda | |- | 2013 | scope="row" | ''Gippi'' | Arjun | |- | 2015 | scope="row" | ''Barkhaa'' | Jatin Sabarwal | |- | 2016 | scope="row" | ''Baar Baar Dekho'' | Tarun Bhalla | |- | 2017 | scope="row" | ''Ranchi Diaries'' | Pinku | |- |2019 |''Draupadi Unleashed'' |Gautam |Hollywood film |- |2023 |''Kabzaa'' |Saartaj |Kannada film |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Ref. |- | rowspan="3" | 2021 | ''Bullets'' | Mario | |- | ''Bekaboo 2'' | Novin | |- |''Aisa Waisa Pyaar'' |Rajiv Acharya | |- |2023 |''Taj: Divided by Blood'' |Murad Mirza |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |date=2023-02-18 |title=Taj – Divided by Blood trailer out |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/taj-divided-by-blood-trailer-out-1503155618.html |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=The Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2024 | ''Heeramandi'' | Tajdar Baloch |<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/heeramandi-first-look-sanjay-leela-bhansali-manisha-koirala-sonakshi-sinha-aditi-rao-hydari-richa-chadha-101706760393079.html|title=Heeramandi first look: Sanjay Leela Bhansali series starring Manisha, Sonakshi, Aditi will take you back to another era|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=1 February 2024|date=1 February 2024|archive-date=1 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201052151/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/heeramandi-first-look-sanjay-leela-bhansali-manisha-koirala-sonakshi-sinha-aditi-rao-hydari-richa-chadha-101706760393079.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Award !Category !Work !Result !Ref. |- |2024 |Filmfare OTT Awards |Best Actor in a Series (Male): Drama |''Heeramandi'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 Nominations |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-ott-awards-2024/vote#152 |access-date=17 October 2024 |website=Filmfare}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist|2}}
== External links == {{commons category|Taaha Shah}} * {{IMDb name|4447323}} * {{Twitter}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shah, Taaha}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Indian Muslims Category:Indian male film actors Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema Category:Indian male models Category:People from Abu Dhabi Category:Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates