---
name: "Ajay Naidu"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ajay-naidu"
fi1m_id: "ajay-naidu"
imdb_id: "nm0619651"
tmdb_id: 1982
wikidata_id: "Q412643"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "12 February 1972"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-05T03:08:22.462861+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ajay Naidu

## Identity

Ajay Naidu

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ajay-naidu
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ajay-naidu
- **IMDb ID:** nm0619651
- **TMDB ID:** 1982
- **Wikidata ID:** Q412643
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajay_Naidu, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q412643, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0619651/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1982

Actor. Born 12 February 1972 in Evanston, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 12 February 1972, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 1997–present
- **Frequently works with:** [Darren Aronofsky](https://film.one/person/darren-aronofsky.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (3), 2000s 69 (6), 2020s 73 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 67 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Comedy 4, Crime 3, Mystery 3, Thriller 2, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $691m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajay_Naidu, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q412643, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0619651/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1982

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*Pi*](https://film.one/film/pi.md) (78)
- **Netflix:** [*The Good Nurse*](https://film.one/film/the-good-nurse.md) (73)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ajay Naidu

> Ajay Naidu makes a supporting character's frustration feel as pressing as the lead's. We value his comic timing and restraint in *Office Space*, and would like more films to give his dramatic understatement as much room.

In *Office Space* (1999), Ajay Naidu's Samir helps make dissatisfaction belong to a whole workforce rather than just its leading man. Ron Livingston keeps Peter's unhappiness quiet, while Naidu and David Herman, as Michael Bolton, give the grievances around him more force. We laughed at Samir's exasperation because Naidu makes it feel like an ordinary working day that has become intolerable. His timing works within that group, making Peter's discontent feel less like a private complaint.

His return to film in *SubUrbia* (1996), playing convenience shop owner Nazeer, gave him a layered dramatic supporting part. In Darren Aronofsky's *Pi* (1998), he appears as Farroukh. That is a film we rate for its grainy images and abrasive music, though its relentless pressure leaves the ideas underexamined. It offers less reason to make Naidu the centre of our attention than his work as Samir does. He worked with Aronofsky again in *Requiem for a Dream* (2000), appearing as a mailman.

Mike Judge's *Office Space* offers the clearer reason to seek him out. Naidu's physical comedy gives Samir's annoyance some force, while his restraint keeps him recognisable as a colleague. The workplace relationships are more sharply observed than the romantic scenes, and Naidu helps make those relationships convincing without needing to dominate them. That matters in a comedy built around small humiliations, where the supporting cast must have complaints worth hearing. When the thin plot loses force in the final third, however, there is only so much good ensemble acting can repair.

After *Office Space* brought him wider recognition, he continued in supporting film and television roles. That work carries a risk of typecasting in ethnic supporting parts, which asks too little of his ability to make ordinary behaviour convincing. He also moved into directing with *Ashes* (2010), in which he starred. We would welcome more parts that give his dramatic understatement something substantial to do. Start with *Office Space*, provided a faltering final third will not spoil an evening of good company.

## Biography

Ajay Naidu is an American actor born on 12 February 1972 in Evanston, Illinois. He trained at the American Repertory Theater's Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University and worked extensively in classical theatre between 1988 and 1995.

His early screen roles include Touch and Go (1986) and Vice Versa (1988). He returned to film with SubUrbia (1996), for which he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male. Naidu is known for his performances in Pi (1998) as Farroukh, Office Space (1999) as Samir, Requiem for a Dream (2000), and guest appearances in series such as The Sopranos and The West Wing.

He is married to actress Heather Burns.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (10)

- *The Good Nurse* (2022), Fi1m 73, as Dr. Robert Hind — [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-nurse.md)
- *The Wrestler* (2008), Fi1m 85, as Medic — [page](https://film.one/film/the-wrestler.md)
- *30 Rock* (2006), Fi1m 86, as Asif — [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *Scary Movie 3* (2003), Fi1m 52, as Sayaman — [page](https://film.one/film/scary-movie-3.md)
- *Hannibal* (2001), Fi1m 54, as Perfume Expert — [page](https://film.one/film/hannibal.md)
- *K-PAX* (2001), Fi1m 56, as Dr. Chakaraborty — [page](https://film.one/film/k-pax.md)
- *Requiem for a Dream* (2000), Fi1m 80, as Mailman — [page](https://film.one/film/requiem-for-a-dream.md)
- *Office Space* (1999), Fi1m 80, as Samir — [page](https://film.one/film/office-space.md)
- *Pi* (1998), Fi1m 78, as Farroukh — [page](https://film.one/film/pi.md)
- *King of the Hill* (1997), Fi1m 82, as Delivery Guy / Malik (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)

## Complete filmography (81)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *A Company of Thieves* (2026), Actor
- *Only Good Feelings* (2026), as Lee
- *Brenda* (2026), as Dennis
- *Bunny* (2025), as Officer Cellestino
- *Peas and Carrots* (2025), as Director
- *Elsbeth* (2024), series, as Martin Wali
- *The Zombie Wedding* (2023), as Brick Rivers
- *The Magnificent Meyersons* (2023), as Mohammed
- *Extrapolations* (2023), series, as Hiram
- *The Good Nurse* (2022), as Dr. Robert Hind — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-nurse.md)
- *Uncoupled* (2022), series, as Raffi
- *WeCrashed* (2022), series, as Randall
- *Dr. Death* (2021), series, as Dr. Sasani
- *Thorp* (2020), as Pat
- *Antarctica* (2020), as Principle Pepp
- *The Sleepless* (2020), as Vivek
- *Uncle* (2020), Actor
- *God Friended Me* (2018), series, as Eric
- *The Kindergarten Teacher* (2018), as Nikhil Roy
- *Boy Boy Girl Girl* (2018), Actor
- *Lost Cat Corona* (2017), as Amir
- *Billions* (2016), series, as Kulbinder Darcha
- *Blindspot* (2015), series, as Shohid Akhtar
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Mahmoud Iqbal — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *3 Days of Normal* (2012), as Vik Donowitz
- *Mister Handsome* (2011), as Mister Handsome
- *Ashes* (2011), as Ashes · Director, Writer
- *PIA* (2010), as Rakesh
- *Today's Special* (2009), as Munnamia
- *Falling Up* (2009), as Paco
- *Mercy* (2009), series, Actor
- *Kings* (2009), series, as Dr. Nayar
- *Hotel for Dogs* (2009), as ACO Jake
- *Stream* (2009), as Kyle
- *The Wrestler* (2008), as Medic — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-wrestler.md)
- *Righteous Kill* (2008), as Dr. Chadrabar
- *The Accidental Husband* (2008), as Deep
- *Loins of Punjab Presents* (2007), as Turbanotorious B.D.G.
- *Hiding Divya* (2006), as Divya's Husband
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Asif — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *Confess* (2005), as Account Executive
- *The War Within* (2005), as Naved
- *The Honeymooners* (2005), as Vivek
- *Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy?* (2005), as Prince Omar (voice)
- *Alchemy* (2005), as Best Man
- *Waterborne* (2005), as Vikram Bhatti
- *212* (2005), as Vincent
- *Perception* (2005), as Kamal
- *The Jury* (2004), series, as George Edwards
- *Bad Santa* (2003), as Hindustani Troublemaker
- *Scary Movie 3* (2003), as Sayaman — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/scary-movie-3.md)
- *Justice* (2003), as Mohammed
- *Fillmore!* (2002), series, as Sanjay (voice)
- *The Guru* (2002), as Sanjay
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Masul the Cabbie
- *K-PAX* (2001), as Dr. Chakaraborty — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/k-pax.md)
- *Hannibal* (2001), as Perfume Expert — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/hannibal.md)
- *American Chai* (2001), as Hari
- *Requiem for a Dream* (2000), as Mailman — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/requiem-for-a-dream.md)
- *Dinner Rush* (2000), as Ademir the Matre'd
- *More Dogs Than Bones* (2000), as Andy
- *You Are Here** (2000), as Sanjay
- *Office Space* (1999), as Samir — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/office-space.md)
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Omar — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *Pi* (1998), as Farroukh — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/pi.md)
- *Scotch and Milk* (1998), as Armand
- *My Giant* (1998), as Hot Dog Vendor
- *LateLine* (1998), series, as Raji Bakshi
- *Montana* (1998), as Ives
- *Once We Were Strangers* (1997), as Apu
- *Subway Stories* (1997), as Prashant  (segment "Honey-Getter")
- *SubUrbia* (1997), as Nazeer Choudhury
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Delivery Guy / Malik (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Vice Versa* (1988), as Dale
- *Where the River Runs Black* (1986), as Segundo
- *Touch and Go* (1986), as Louis DeLeon
- *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Ahmed
- *No Greater Gift* (1985), as Nick Santana
- *Wire & Cloth*, as Sunil
- *Vivien & the Florist*, as Eldridge
- *Intimité*, as Darren Swiss

## Gallery

- ![Ajay Naidu at South by Southwest 2024](https://film.one/media/person/87795/gallery-d939fc3bd9a0.jpg) Ajay Naidu at South by Southwest 2024 — Jay Dixit, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/2024-03-09_SXSW_Conan_Nick-Kroll_Office-Space--1.jpg/1280px-2024-03-09_SXSW_Conan_Nick-Kroll_Office-Space--1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ajay Naidu at South by Southwest 2024](https://film.one/media/person/87795/gallery-69d1d12ed608.jpg) Ajay Naidu at South by Southwest 2024 — Jay Dixit, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/2024-03-09_SXSW_Conan_Nick-Kroll_Office-Space23.jpg/1280px-2024-03-09_SXSW_Conan_Nick-Kroll_Office-Space23.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ajay Naidu at South by Southwest 2024](https://film.one/media/person/87795/gallery-f1defc13da50.jpg) Ajay Naidu at South by Southwest 2024 — Jay Dixit, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/2024-03-09_SXSW_Conan_Nick-Kroll_Office-Space_2.jpg/1280px-2024-03-09_SXSW_Conan_Nick-Kroll_Office-Space_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ajay Naidu at South by Southwest 2024](https://film.one/media/person/87795/gallery-4d63f8e11692.jpg) Ajay Naidu at South by Southwest 2024 — Jay Dixit, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/2024-03-09_SXSW_Conan_Nick-Kroll_Office-Space_events_07303.jpg/1280px-2024-03-09_SXSW_Conan_Nick-Kroll_Office-Space_events_07303.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ajay Naidu](https://film.one/media/person/87795/gallery-098363f25f34.jpg) Ajay Naidu — Fuzheado, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Ajay_Naidu_SXSW_2024.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ajay-naidu