Zeishan Quadri Biography: Life Story, Career, Family, Movies & Achievements
Introduction
Zeishan Quadri is an Indian writer, actor, director, and producer, best known for his work on the cult classic Gangs of Wasseypur. Hailing from Wasseypur, Dhanbad, he brought authenticity and raw storytelling to Indian cinema. Zeishan co-wrote Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1 & 2 with Anurag Kashyap and played the role of Definite Khan in the film. Since then, he has worked on several films and web series as a writer, director, and performer, becoming one of Bollywood’s most unconventional storytellers.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Zeishan Quadri
- Date of Birth: 18 March 1983
- Birthplace: Wasseypur, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Physical Appearance
- Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 70 kg
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Brown
- Build: Slim
Early Life & Family Background
Zeishan was born into a middle-class Muslim family in Wasseypur. Growing up amidst the coal mafia backdrop, he later used these experiences to create authentic scripts.
- Father: A civil engineer
- Mother: Homemaker
- Siblings: Not publicly known
Education Journey
Zeishan studied at Doon Public School, Dhanbad, and later pursued Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science. After working briefly in a call center and with HCL in Delhi, he moved to Mumbai in 2009 to pursue his passion for cinema.
Career Beginnings
Initially, Zeishan struggled in Mumbai but soon found his breakthrough by narrating his Wasseypur-based story to Anurag Kashyap, which eventually turned into Gangs of Wasseypur.
Film Career
Writer
- Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) – Co-writer with Anurag Kashyap, landmark success
- Revolver Rani (2014) – Story & screenplay
- Meeruthiya Gangsters (2015) – Written and directed by him
Actor
- Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2 (2012) – Played Definite Khan
- Revolver Rani (2014) – Supporting role
- Mumbai Cutting and cameo appearances in indie films
Director & Producer
- Meeruthiya Gangsters (2015) – Directorial debut
- Produced small-budget films and collaborated with OTT projects
OTT & Web Series Work
- Worked as a writer and creative force in web series focusing on crime and youth culture
- Associated with projects for platforms like Netflix and Zee5 (content collaborations)
Awards & Achievements
- Critical acclaim for Gangs of Wasseypur screenplay
- Recognized as a new-age storyteller of Bollywood
- Invited to multiple film festivals and writer’s forums
Records & Milestones
- Brought Wasseypur into India’s cinematic landscape
- One of the few talents to achieve success as writer, actor, and director
- Helped create India’s most talked-about cult gangster saga
Recent Work & Current Projects
- Developing new OTT crime-drama projects (2024–2025)
- Working on independent films as writer-producer
- Exploring collaborations with digital platforms for youth-centric content
Personal Life
Zeishan keeps his personal life private, focusing on writing and filmmaking. He is passionate about realistic cinema rooted in small towns.
Legacy & Influence
Zeishan Quadri is regarded as one of the most authentic storytellers of Indian cinema. His contribution to Gangs of Wasseypur gave Bollywood a new storytelling style, and his journey inspires aspiring filmmakers from small towns.
