Sparsh Shrivastava

Who Is Sparsh Shrivastava?

Sparsh Shrivastava is an Indian actor, dancer, and singer whose journey from a child dancer in Agra to one of Bollywood’s most talked-about faces is nothing short of extraordinary. He was born on July 4, 1999, in Rajakhera, Rajasthan, and grew up in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

He is best known for his role as Sunny Mondal in the Netflix crime drama Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega and for playing Deepak Kumar, the lovable groom, in Kiran Rao’s critically acclaimed film Laapataa Ladies (2024).

“After Jamtara, things shifted for me. The recognition, the trust the industry placed in me… it was a breakthrough. And honestly, it’s because of my work. Each project adds a beautiful layer to what I do, and I feel so, so grateful whenever a new one comes my way,” he told IANS.

Early Life: From Rajasthan to the Dance Floor

Born in Rajakhera, Raised in Agra

Sparsh Shrivastava was born to Ragini and Dinesh Shrivastava in Rajakhera, Dholpur district, Rajasthan. However, the family moved to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where Sparsh spent most of his formative years.

Agra gave him a stage. It was here that he discovered his love for dance, performing arts, and eventually acting.

The Air Force School, Agra

Sparsh attended the Air Force School in Agra. This institution is known for its discipline and structure — two qualities that would serve him well through years of auditions, rejections, and perseverance in Mumbai’s competitive film industry.

A Mother Who Taught Him to Dance

Sparsh was trained by his mother. He specialized in various dance forms like Kathak, folk, and Bollywood. This early classical training gave him a physical expressiveness and emotional range that would later translate powerfully onto screen.

Career Journey: From a Dance Stage to Netflix Stardom

Chak Dhoom Dhoom — The Beginning (2010)

At just 11 years old, Sparsh entered the children’s dance reality show Chak Dhoom Dhoom on Colors TV. The competition was fierce. Therefore, what happened next was remarkable.

After continuous practice sessions and performances across 13 weeks, Shrivastava bagged the title, beating three other finalists. The other top contestants were Piyush Bhagat from Jammu, Tejaswani Behera from Orissa, and Gauri Ingwale from Satara, Maharashtra.

The finale was graced by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and choreographers Saroj Khan, Ahmed Khan, Pony Verma, and Bosco Caesar. Sparsh walked away as the champion. He was 11 years old.

Balika Vadhu and Early Television Roles (2013–2016)

After the Chak Dhoom Dhoom victory, Sparsh moved steadily into television. In 2013, Sparsh worked in Disney’s dance-based comedy show Shake It Up as Neel Walia.

He gained early recognition for his role in the television soap opera Balika Vadhu (2015–2016), where he played Young Kundan Singh. The show, one of Colors TV’s most watched family dramas, gave him valuable screen experience and introduced him to a massive national audience.

He also did a horror episodic show, Fear Files, as Tarun, and a drama mystery, Maha Kumbh: Ek Rahasya Ek Kahani (2014–2015), as a younger version of the main lead, Charlie.

Moving to Mumbai and a Decade of Auditions (2017 Onward)

Sparsh first arrived in Mumbai in 2017, seeking a career in films. The years that followed were not easy. He auditioned. He was rejected. He auditioned again.

But he did not stop. Furthermore, he found an unlikely companion in those difficult years — music. Being an actor is chaotic. Auditions and rejections can take a toll. It was in that phase that music came to be as a sort of stress buster for him.

Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega (2020–2022): The Breakthrough

It was after 10 years that Sparsh Shrivastava got recognition in the industry with his show, Jamtara.

The Netflix crime drama, directed by Soumendra Padhi, follows the story of phishing scammers in Jharkhand’s Jamtara district. Sparsh played Sunny Mondal across both seasons (2020 and 2022), delivering a layered, nuanced performance that caught the attention of the entire industry.

Both Salman Khan and Aamir Khan watched the series. Aamir, particularly, was moved.

After the success of Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega, Aamir Khan reached out to Sparsh to praise his performance in the series. He sent Sparsh a WhatsApp message saying he loved his work and wanted to discuss a new project. However, there was a problem.

Sparsh dismissed Aamir Khan’s call as spam. He did not believe the message was real. It took a follow-up before Sparsh realized this was genuinely India’s biggest film star reaching out personally.

Collar Bomb (2021)

Sparsh made his film debut with the thriller Collar Bomb (2021), released on Disney+ Hotstar, where he played Shoeb Ali. The film starred Jimmy Sheirgill and was directed by Kamal Pandey. While not a blockbuster, it demonstrated Sparsh’s ability to hold his own in a film setting.

Laapataa Ladies (2024): The Role That Made India Fall in Love

In 2024, Sparsh Shrivastava played Deepak Kumar in Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan. The film tells the story of two newlywed brides who accidentally get swapped during a train journey in rural India in 2001.

As Deepak, the ultimate green flag in Kiran Rao’s Oscar-hopeful film, Sparsh won hearts.

He auditioned for the role in the usual way. He was selected. The rest is now Indian cinema history.

Kiran Rao is “a gem,” Sparsh said. “A director who trusts and empowers actors.”

The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. It was then released in Indian theatres on March 1, 2024, to universal praise from critics.

The Film Federation of India unanimously chose Laapataa Ladies as India’s official entry to the 97th Academy Awards. It was selected from a list of 29 films, including Animal, Kalki 2898 AD, and the Cannes winner All We Imagine As Light. Although the film did not advance to the final Oscars shortlist, the nomination itself was a historic honour for everyone involved.

Sparsh was subsequently nominated for the 25th IIFA Awards in the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) category for Laapataa Ladies.

Dupahiya (2025): Proving Range Through Comedy

Dupahiya was released on Amazon Prime Video on March 7, 2025. It is a Hindi comedy-drama series with an ensemble cast that includes Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Bhuvan Arora, Sparsh Shrivastava, Shivani Raghuvanshi, and Yashpal Sharma.

Sparsh played Bhugol Jha across 9 episodes. The series struck the right chords with audiences. It also showed a new dimension of Sparsh as a performer — that he could do broad, warm comedy with the same ease he brought to dramatic roles.

Vrushakarma (Upcoming): Telugu Debut

Sparsh is set to make his Telugu film debut with Vrushakarma, opposite Naga Chaitanya. The film’s first glimpse, unveiled in early 2026, featured Sparsh in a menacing antagonist role. Fans were impressed by his evil turn, a striking contrast to his gentle, lovable image from Laapataa Ladies.

The film is produced under Sukumar Writings and promises to be a high-octane mythical action thriller.

Music: The Stress Buster That Became a Dream

Ji Huzoor (2025)

Beyond acting, Sparsh Shrivastava has always harbored a deep love for music. After making his mark with compelling performances in Jamtara, Laapataa Ladies, and Dupahiya, he stepped into a melodic space with his single “Ji Huzoor.”

Along with singing “Ji Huzoor,” Sparsh also wrote and composed the melody. The track features actor Preeti Panigrahi.

“I have around 200–300 finished and unfinished songs in my phone,” he revealed. “I want to slowly release them and let the audience experience that part of me too.”

Music, for Sparsh, is not a side project. It is a parallel life — one he is only now beginning to share with the world.

Personal Life: Resilience Behind the Scenes

Family

Sparsh’s mother, Ragini Shrivastava, is not just a parent. She was his first dance teacher. She trained him in kathak, folk, and Bollywood dance forms from his earliest years. She has been a constant source of strength throughout his life.

In 2017, reports emerged that Sparsh Shrivastava filed a complaint against his father, Dinesh Shrivastava, and also sought security for his mother, Ragini Shrivastava. Despite this deeply personal and painful period, Sparsh continued working and focused on his craft. His dedication through adversity is one of the most defining chapters of his story.

Relationship Status

Sparsh Shrivastava is currently unmarried. He keeps his personal romantic life private, letting his work do the talking.

Personal Interests

Sparsh rides a KTM RC 200 motorcycle and has been seen with it frequently. He has tattoos. He carries the energy of someone who lives fully and feels deeply — qualities that come through in every role he plays.

Filmography at a Glance

Year	Title	Role	Platform / Notes
2010	Chak Dhoom Dhoom	Contestant	Winner — Colors TV
2013	Shake It Up	Neel Walia	Disney Channel India
2014–15	Maha Kumbh: Ek Rahasya Ek Kahani	Young Charlie	TV Series
2015–16	Balika Vadhu	Young Kundan Singh	Colors TV
2020–22	Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega	Sunny Mondal	Netflix
2021	Collar Bomb	Shoeb Ali	Disney+ Hotstar
2024	Laapataa Ladies	Deepak Kumar	Theatrical / Netflix — India’s Oscar Entry
2025	Dupahiya	Bhugol Jha	Amazon Prime Video
2025 (TBA)	Vrushakarma	Fahad	Telugu debut — opposite Naga Chaitanya

Awards and Nominations

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result
2024	Indian Film Festival of Melbourne	Best Actor	Laapataa Ladies	Nominated
2025	25th IIFA Awards	Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male)	Laapataa Ladies	Nominated