Abhay Verma
Who Is Abhay Verma?
Abhay Verma is one of Bollywood’s most exciting young actors today. He was born on 27 July 1998 in Panipat, Haryana, India.
He is best known for two defining roles. He first gained recognition for his supporting role in the second season of the thriller series The Family Man (2021), and had his first lead role in the independent film Safed (2023). Verma had his breakthrough with a starring role in the comedy horror film Munjya (2024), a commercial success.
Furthermore, in 2026, Verma was placed by Forbes Asia on its 30 Under 30 list — a recognition that confirmed his arrival as one of India’s most promising young talents.
Early Life: Cricket, Classrooms, and a Dream Bigger Than Panipat
A Middle-Class Upbringing in Haryana
Abhay Verma was born on 27 July 1998 in Panipat, Haryana, into a middle-class North Indian family in which education and discipline were given importance. He lost his father, Shrikant Verma, at an early age and was raised largely by his mother.
His mother, Kavita Verma, became the anchor of the family. She gave him the strength to dream and the courage to chase those dreams far from home. His elder brother, Abhishek Verma, also pursued acting and became known for his role in the popular TV serial Yeh Hai Mohabbatein.
A National-Level Cricketer
Before the camera, there was the cricket pitch. Abhay was already a national-level cricket player, and the diversity of his talents was clearly demonstrated. However, his filmmaking interest eventually triumphed.
Education: Science, BBA, and the Right Drop
Verma completed his schooling from St. Mary’s Convent School, pursued Science but faced failure three times. He then enrolled in BBA but felt it was a waste of time. He came to Mumbai with his parents to pursue a career in acting.
Career Journey: From ₹800 a Day to Box Office Gold
The Humblest of Beginnings: Super 30 (2019)
He worked as a junior artist in the 2019 film Super 30, where he earned ₹800 per day and gained practical insights by observing the production and established performers on set.
Two hundred junior artists surrounded him on set every single day. Instead of feeling lost in the crowd, Abhay used every moment as a masterclass. He watched. He absorbed. He prepared.
During this foundational period, he appeared in numerous television commercials for brands including Cadbury, Closeup, Milton, and Ponds. These commercials kept him working while he waited for his bigger break.
First Screen Credits: Little Things and Marzi (2019–2020)
He made his screen debut in 2019 with an uncredited role in one episode of the Netflix anthology series Little Things.
Then came Marzi in 2020 — his first official credited television role, where he played Ayaan. It was a small role. But it was a real one. Furthermore, it established his foot firmly inside the industry door.
The Role That Changed Everything: The Family Man Season 2 (2021)
The second season of The Family Man brought Abhay Verma to national attention. He played the dual role of Kalyan/Salmaan — a young man caught between two identities in a high-stakes thriller. His performance alongside Manoj Bajpayee earned widespread praise.
Abhay gained fame for playing Kalyan/Salman in The Family Man 2 (2021). The show introduced him to millions of viewers across India and positioned him as a young actor to watch. Even Karan Johar later reached out to personally praise his performance in Munjya, confirming that industry heavyweights had their eye on him.
A Brave Debut: Safed (2023)
Abhay Verma transitioned to feature films with his debut in the independent drama Safed (2023), where he took on the challenging lead role of Chaandi, a transgender character, marking an unconventional entry into cinema that highlighted his willingness to embrace complex and vulnerable parts.
This was not a safe commercial debut. It was a statement. It showed audiences and filmmakers alike that Abhay Verma would not take the easy road.
A Patriot’s Story: Ae Watan Mere Watan (2024)
Before Munjya hit theatres, Abhay appeared in Ae Watan Mere Watan on Amazon Prime Video. He played a layered character of a youth torn between his love for his beloved and duties towards the nation during the freedom struggle. He starred alongside Sara Ali Khan in this biographical drama directed by Kannan Iyer.
The Breakthrough: Munjya (2024)
The film stars Abhay Verma, Sharvari, Sathyaraj and Mona Singh. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Maddock Films, Munjya is the third installment in the beloved Maddock Horror Comedy Universe — the franchise that began with Stree.
Abhay played Bittu, a young man who accidentally releases the spirit of Munjya — a supernatural entity from Maharashtra folklore — and must deal with its obsessive and chaotic presence. His performance carried the film’s emotional core, balancing comedy, fear, and genuine warmth.
Munjya became the eighth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024, establishing Verma’s entry into major commercial success within Bollywood.
As Munjya’s box office collection crossed 50 crore, Abhay reacted: “Good to wake up to a few crores every day.” It was a moment of quiet triumph for someone who once woke up to earn ₹800 for a full day’s work.
Awards and Recognition
In 2024, he received the Popular Award of the Year — Gen Next Star — at the ELLE Beauty Awards. In 2025, he received the Iconic Award nomination for Best Actor at the International Iconic Awards for Munjya.
In 2025, he was awarded the Jury’s Choice Award for Best Debut Actor at the Zee Cine Awards for Munjya. He was also awarded the Iconic Gold Award — Breakout Star of the Year — Male for Munjya, and received the Indie Film Festival Award for Best Debutante Performance at the Indie Film Awards.
Additionally, in 2026, Verma was placed by Forbes Asia in their 30 Under 30 list — one of the most prestigious recognitions a young professional can receive in Asia.
Upcoming Projects: A Career in Full Flight
Abhay Verma shows no signs of slowing down. His upcoming feature films include Jacob Cardoso (completed), King (filming for a 2026 release), and Laikey Laikaa (filming).
King is one of the most anticipated films currently in production in Bollywood. His continued casting in high-profile projects confirms the industry’s growing confidence in him as a reliable leading man.
Personal Life: Grounded, Private, and Family-First
Abhay Verma keeps his personal life deliberately private. He is unmarried. He is close to his mother, Kavita Verma, who sacrificed enormously by moving the entire family to Mumbai to support his dream.
His elder brother, Abhishek Verma, best known for playing Adi in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, has been both a companion and a guide through the competitive world of Indian entertainment.
Abhay’s zodiac sign is Leo. He stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall. He follows Hinduism. He is a vegetarian by preference.
Beyond the screen, he is known for his dedication to fashion, fitness, and an intense work ethic that traces back to his cricket-playing days in Haryana.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Platform / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Super 30 | — | Junior artist |
| 2023 | Safed | Chaandi | ZEE5 |
| 2024 | Ae Watan Mere Watan | Kaushik | Amazon Prime Video |
| 2024 | Munjya | Bittu | Theatrical; 8th highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024 |
| 2026 | Jacob Cardoso | TBA | Completed |
| 2026 | King | TBA | Filming |
| 2026 | Laikey Laikaa | TBA | Filming |
Web Series / TV
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Little Things | Unnamed | Season 3, episode 7 (Netflix) |
| 2020 | Marzi | Ayaan | TV debut |
| 2020 | Gormint | Babloo Kumar | — |
| 2021 | The Family Man Season 2 | Kalyan / Salmaan | Breakthrough role |
