Salim Ahmad Ghouse (1952-2022) was an Indian actor, theatre director and martial artist. He had been a part of several movies, released in different languages, all across India. Salim had worked in many Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English films. Salim had also been a part of several well-known Indian TV series. He is also known for dubbing renowned Hollywood animated films. He died on 28 April 2022, as he suffered a cardiac arrest in Mumbai.
Wiki/Biography
Salim Ahmad Ghouse was born on Tuesday, 1 July 1952 (age 70 years; at the time of death) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Salim Ghouse completed his schooling at Christchurch School, in Chennai. He completed his graduation from Presidency College. Salim Ghouse was interested in the field of acting. After completing his graduation, Salim cleared the entrance exam and joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) at Pune.
Family
Parents
Salim Ghouse’s father was a Muslim from Hyderabad. His mother was a Christian from Kerala.
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Anita Salim, she is a theatre artist.
Anita Salim, wife of Salim Ghouse
His son’s name is Aaryama Salim. He is an actor, a dancer and a fitness trainer.
Aaryama Salim, son of Salim Ghouse
He has a daughter named Athena Roxanne.
Athena Roxanne, the daughter of Salim Ghouse
Religion/Religious Views
Salim Ahmad Ghouse considers himself to be multi-religious.
Career
Working on the big screen cinema
Saleem Ahmad Ghouse, in 1976, made his debut with the film, Manthan: The Churning; in which he played the role of a character named Moola. In 1978, Salim was given the role of a student, in the film titled, Swarg Narak. Salim Ghouse, in the film Kalyug, played the role of a character called Desai. The film was released in 1981. In the same year, Salim, in the film Chakra, was seen playing the role of Raghu. In 1982, Salim Ghouse was seen in two films. The first film was titled, Meri Kahani and the second one was titled, Partner; in which he played the role of a character named Tiger. In the film, Kim, Salim was given the role of a character named E23. The film was based on Rudyard Kipling’s novel, “Kim.” The film was released in 1984. In 1984, he was offered a role, in the film Saaransh. In the film, Salim played the role of a henchman of the main villain. In the film, Salim became famous as a villain, who always roamed with a bottle of acid in his hand. In the same year, Salim was offered another film titled, Mohan Joshi Haazir Ho! In the film, he played the role of a lawyer. In 1985, Salim was offered another film, Trikal (Past, Present, Future). In 1988, he was given the role of Piroo, in the film, The Deceivers. The film had the famous Hollywood actor, Pierce Brosnan, in the main lead. In 1989, Salim Ghouse was given the role of Ramu Gulzar; in the film titled, Suryaa: An Awakening. In the same year, Salim was offered two more films. In the film, Mujrim, Salim played the role of an assassin, and in the film, Vetri Vizha, he was given the role of a villain named Zinda.
A still from the film Vetri Vizha, in which Salim played the role of Zinda
Salim, in 1990, was seen in the film Trikon, as Guru (Shankar). In the same year, he was offered a Malayali film, Thazhvaram. In this film, he played the role of a character named Raju.
Salim as Raju in the film, Thazhvaram
In the, 1991, Tamil film, Chinna Gounder, Salim played the role of Sakkarai Gounder.
A still from the film, Chinna Gounder
In the 1992 film, Zulm Ki Hukumat, Salim was given the role of a police officer named Tiger. Later, in 1992, Salim was offered a role in three more films titled, Bombay Police, Antham and Drohi. In 1993, he was seen in three films, Akanksha (as Arjun Singh), Rakshana (as a character named Chinna), and Thiruda Thiruda (as a villain named Vikram).
Salim as villain named, Vikram, in the film, Thiruda Thiruda
In the 1994 film Seeman, Salim Ghouse was given the role of Masanam. In the film titled, Sardari Begum, which was released in 1996, Salim played the role of a character named, Manik Sen. In 1997, Salim worked along with Shah Rukh Khan, in the film titled, Koyla. Salim played the role of a villain named Brijwa.
Salim Ghouse with Shah Rukh Khan in the film Koyla
In the film, Shapath, Salil Ghouse played the role of Lankeshwar. The film was released in 1997. In the 1998 film, Getting Personal, Salim played the role of a motel manager. In the same year, he worked alongside Bobby Deol, in the film titled, Soldier. In the film, he played the role of Jaswant Dalal.
Salim Ghouse as Jaswant Dalal, in the film, Soldier
In 2000, he did a film titled, Badal and in 2001, he worked in two different films titled Aks and Indian. In 2002, he was given the role of Seeni; in the film Red. In 2003, he was a part of the film, Chori Chori. In 2004, he was offered a role in Dukaan: Pila House, as Kasturi’s father. In 2005, Salim Ghouse did 4 films. These were, Daas (as Vappa), Chanakya the Warrior, Udayon (as Thevar) and Missed Call (as Arindam Kumar Sengupta). In 2009, he played the role of Janardan Reddy, in the film, Well Done Abba. In the same year, Salim played the role of Vedanayakam, in the film titled, Vettaikaaran.
A still from the film, Vettaikaaran
In 2015, Salim Ghouse was seen in, Vaalu and in 2018, he was a part of Ka: The Forest. In 2022, Salim acted in his last film titled, Kaa.
Leaving his mark on the television
In 1984, Salim Ghouse played the role of Mr Venkat, a character in the TV series titled, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. Salim Ghouse played the role of Bharat, in the TV series, Subah.
A still from the TV serial, Subah
In 1988, Salim Ghouse was offered a role in the TV series, Wagle Ki Duniya. In the series, he played the role of Shriniwas Venkateshwaran. In the same year, Salim played four different roles in the TV series titled, Bharat Ek Khoj. He played the roles of Rama, Krishna, Tipu Sultan and Ramaraya.
Salim Ghouse as Krishna in the TV Series, Bharat Ek Khoj
In 1992, Salim was seen in the series titled, Inkaar. In the TV series, The Maharaja’s Daughter, Salim played the character of Bakhtiar. The series was aired in 1994. In 1998, he was offered, X Zone. In 2014, Salim was seen in another TV series named, Samvidhaan.
Working his magic in the theatres
Salim Ghouse was equally passionate about performing in the theatres. He has not only acted in the plays but has also directed a lot of them. Salim has acted in a lot of well-known plays such as DAASTAN-E-DIL and Shakespearewallah, which is an adaptation of the famous novel, Hamlet, written by Shakespeare. He has also worked with his wife, Anita Salim, in the play based on William Shakespeare’s novel titled, The Merchant Of Venice.
The poster of the play, Dastaan-e-Dil
The poster of the play, Shakespearewallah
Salim Ghouse and Anita Salim in a scene from the play, The Merchant Of Venice
Salim established, The Phoenix Players; a drama troupe.
Logo of The Phoenix Players
Salim Ghouse is also a well-known playwriter and director. He has directed several famous plays, such as The Anthem, Upsidedownside, House of Horrors, Roundabout, Still More Life and Dastangoi.
A poster of the play, The Anthem
Poster of the play, Upsidedownside poster
Poster of the play, House of Horrors
A poster of the play, Roundabout
A Poster of the play, Still More Life
The poster of the play titled, Dastangoi
In 1977, he directed plays, such as Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Perambur and Life of Christ; it was a play that revolved around the Christian festival of the Good Friday.
Working as a voiceover actor in well-known Hollywood films
Salim Ghouse has lent his voice in the dubbing of two famous Hollywood films. In 1995, for the film, The Lion King, he dubbed the character, Scar, in Hindi. In 2006, Salim dubbed the voice of a character named King Leonidas, in the film 300. In 2000, he dubbed a Tamil film in Hindi. The film was titled, Sudhandhiram.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- NDTV Outstanding Voice of the Year, 2004 & 2005 for the Feature Film Dubbing in Hindi for “Scar” in “The Lion King” and “Leonidas” in “300.”
- Martial Arts & Healing “Hanshi” 9th Dan Black Belt.
- Appointed as the Grand Master in Martial Arts & Healing Sciences – Okinawa, Japan, China & India.
Death
Salim Ghouse died on 28 April 2022. He died due to a cardiac arrest.
Facts/Trivia
- In his early days. Salim Ghouse was curious to know about the different facets of life. So, he used to talk to priests and shopkeepers; to know their views on life.
- In the early days of his acting career, Salim Ghouse did not have much to eat and used to stay hungry for an extended period of time. This led to him, perceiving the idea of, acting in the theatres. In an interview, he said,
There were days when I had nothing to eat but a cup of tea and a few biscuits. I’d never felt hungrier, or more alive in my life. I think that’s where my idea of theatre was born.”
- Salim Ghouse is well-known in the film industry for his sharp memory. He would memorize an entire script and deliver his dialogues in one go, without taking any re-takes.
- As a youngster, Salim Ghouse wanted to find out answers about god, on his own. In an interview he said,
Everyone, then, wanted to take over my head. But I wanted to find my own answers.”
- A majority of Salim Ghouse’s plays were shown in the world-renowned Prithvi Theatre.
- Salim Ghouse was a red belt, third-degree martial artist. He even taught his son, Aaryama, the skills that he had learnt in his lifetime.
Salim Ghouse with his son, Aaryama Salim
- Salim Ghouse has earned a PhD degree in the field of Martial Arts. He completed his PhD in Okinawa, Japan.
Salim Ghouse’s PhD degree in Martial Arts
- Salim Ghouse is also a polyglot. He was well-versed in speaking and writing different types of Indian languages. He knew English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
