Sonu Sood: From Villain to Humanitarian Icon Sonu Sood, born July 30, 1973, is a prominent Indian actor, producer, and philanthropist, known for his impactful roles as antagonists and his extensive humanitarian efforts. His career spans Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema, marked by a string of successful films. Sood's breakthrough came with his portrayal of villains in Telugu cinema. His role in Arundhati (2009) earned him the Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Award for Best Villain and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Telugu. His performance in Dabangg (2010) further solidified his reputation, winning him the Apsara Award and IIFA Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role. Subsequently, his negative role in Julayi (2012) fetched him the SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role (Telugu). Beyond his acting prowess, Sood's humanitarian work, particularly his significant contributions during the
COVID-19 pandemic, garnered widespread recognition. This commendable work earned him the UNDPâs SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award in 2020. His filmography includes notable roles in Yuva, Athadu, Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Jodhaa Akbar, Shootout at Wadala, R... Rajkumar,
Happy New Year, Simmba, and Kurukshetra. In 2016, he launched his production house, Shakti Sagar Productions. More recently, he launched the social media app, Explurger, in June 2022. Sood's career is defined by his compelling villainous roles and his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, cementing his status as a versatile and impactful figure in Indian cinema and beyond.