Ankur Rathee Bio: Age, Wife, Education, Movies, Shows & Career
Ankur Rathee is an Indian-American actor, director, writer, and trained dancer. He has built a career across Indian cinema, streaming platforms, theater, and American entertainment.
He gained recognition through projects such as Four More Shots Please!, Made in Heaven, Thappad, Undekhi, and Eternally Confused and Eager for Love. More recently, Rathee joined the cast of Netflix’s 2026 comedy Best of the Best.
His career reflects a blend of Indian and American influences. Moreover, his background in theater and dance helped shape his versatile acting style.
Who Is Ankur Rathee?
Ankur Rathee is an Indian-born American actor known for film, television, and theater roles. He was born in Haryana, India, and later grew up in San Diego, California.
Several biographical sources list his birth date as March 24, 1991 and Haryana as his birthplace, while other biographical records identify Hisar, Haryana.
Rathee developed an interest in performance from an early age. He started dance training when he was eight years old.
His training included Bollywood, hip-hop, contemporary dance, and acrobatic adage. Later, musical theater introduced him to singing and acting.
This combination gave him a strong foundation before he entered professional entertainment.
Ankur Rathee’s Early Life and Family
Rathee comes from Haryana and later spent much of his upbringing in the United States. His experiences across both cultures influenced his artistic identity.
He also has a sister, Sonia Rathee, who works as an actress. The siblings have both developed careers within the entertainment industry.
Rathee speaks English, Hindi, and Haryanvi. His multilingual background has helped him work across different entertainment markets.
Furthermore, he has maintained connections with Indian and American storytelling throughout his career.
Ankur Rathee Education
Education played an important role in Rathee’s development as an artist.
He attended The Bishop’s School before studying at Princeton University. He graduated from Princeton after combining academic work with extensive artistic training.
During his university years, Rathee trained under respected theater professionals. His mentors included Tony Award winner John Rando and Tony Award nominee Leigh Silverman.
He also trained with screenwriter and Academy Award nominee Christina Lazaridi. Additionally, he briefly studied filmmaking at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Therefore, his education extended beyond traditional academic studies. It also gave him practical exposure to acting, theater, writing, and filmmaking.
Ankur Rathee’s Dance Career
Before becoming widely known as an actor, Rathee developed considerable experience as a dancer.
He began formal dance training at just eight years old. Over time, he studied several dance styles and performed in different settings.
His skills eventually led to teaching opportunities. In 2015, he became a dance faculty member at Steps on Broadway in New York.
Dance also connected with his later acting opportunities. His movement skills became particularly relevant when he worked on projects involving music and performance.
Additionally, Rathee competed on Dance India Dance in 2013. He became a finalist on the popular Indian dance competition.
Ankur Rathee’s Theater Career
Rathee developed his acting foundation through theater before gaining wider screen recognition.
After moving to New York City, he continued studying acting. He trained with acting teacher Alice Spivak in the Stanislavsky technique.
He also appeared in Off-Broadway productions. His theater credits include Journey Beyond the West, Between the Tigris and the Euphrates, and My Heart is in the East.
He later returned to the stage in Baby’s Blues in 2018. The production featured Ila Arun and K. K. Raina.
These experiences strengthened his understanding of character development and live performance.
Ankur Rathee Movies and TV Shows
Rathee’s screen career includes films, television series, and streaming productions.
One of his early notable screen appearances came through The Tashkent Files in 2019. He played Imran Qureshi in the political thriller.
The same period brought opportunities on Indian streaming platforms. He appeared in Made in Heaven, where he played Sam.
Rathee also gained attention as Arjun Nair in Four More Shots Please!. The Amazon Prime Video series became one of his recognizable streaming credits.
He later appeared in projects such as Mission Over Mars, Inside Edge, City of Dreams, and Undekhi.
His film work expanded with Thappad, starring Taapsee Pannu. He also appeared in Taish, a crime drama featuring Jim Sarbh and Harshvardhan Rane.
In 2023, Rathee appeared in Shehzada, alongside Kartik Aaryan. He played Raj Nanda in the Hindi action-comedy.
Ankur Rathee in Eternally Confused and Eager for Love
Rathee joined Netflix’s Eternally Confused and Eager for Love in 2022.
The series follows a young man’s complicated search for love and emotional connection. Rathee played Varun in the series.
The role expanded his international streaming profile. It also introduced his work to audiences beyond India’s entertainment industry.
His other streaming credits include Reeta Sanyal and Single Papa. IMDb lists him as Goldie in the 2025 series Single Papa.
Ankur Rathee in Best of the Best
In 2026, Rathee joined the cast of Netflix’s Best of the Best.
The comedy centers on two childhood friends who join a competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team at UCLA. They then compete for a place in the US championship.
The film stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Priyanka Kedia, and Ankur Rathee. The ensemble also includes Hasan Minhaj, Lilly Singh, Chaneil Kular, and Janina Gavankar.
Netflix lists the movie as a 2026 comedy. Netflix Tudum announced its September 18, 2026 release date.
Rathee’s dance background makes the project especially relevant to his career. His participation also represents another step into American mainstream entertainment.
Is Ankur Rathee Married?
Yes, Ankur Rathee is married to actress Anuja Joshi.
The couple became engaged in July 2020 after a long-term relationship. Rathee proposed during the COVID-19 pandemic after traveling across the United States.
Rathee and Joshi later married in June 2022 in the English countryside.
Their wedding took place at the historic Hawkstone Hall in England. Reports described the ceremony as an intimate celebration attended by family and close friends.
Anuja Joshi is also an actress. She is known for projects such as Hello Mini and The Resident.
The couple have both worked across Indian and American entertainment industries.
Ankur Rathee’s Acting Style and Interests
Rathee’s career combines several performance disciplines.
His background in dance gives him strong physical awareness. Meanwhile, his theater training developed his approach to character work.
He has also explored filmmaking and writing. IMDb currently credits him as an actor, director, and writer.
Beyond entertainment, Rathee has an interest in spirituality. IMDb notes his connection with Paramahansa Yogananda and his practice of Kriya Yoga meditation.
These interests form another part of his public profile.
Ankur Rathee’s Career Timeline
- 1991: Reported birth in Haryana, India.
- Childhood: Began formal dance training at age eight.
- 2013: Became a finalist on Dance India Dance.
- 2015: Joined Steps on Broadway as dance faculty.
- 2018: Returned to theater with Baby’s Blues.
- 2019: Appeared in The Tashkent Files, Made in Heaven, and Four More Shots Please!.
- 2020: Featured in Thappad, Taish, and Undekhi.
- 2022: Starred in Eternally Confused and Eager for Love.
- 2022: Married actress Anuja Joshi.
- 2023: Appeared in Shehzada.
- 2025: Appeared in Netflix’s Single Papa.
- 2026: Appeared in Netflix’s Best of the Best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ankur Rathee
How old is Ankur Rathee?
Sources report that Ankur Rathee was born on March 24, 1991. That makes him 35 years old in 2026.
Where was Ankur Rathee born?
Rathee was born in Haryana, India. Some biographical records specifically identify Hisar as his birthplace.
What is Ankur Rathee famous for?
He is known for Four More Shots Please!, Made in Heaven, Thappad, Undekhi, Shehzada, and Eternally Confused and Eager for Love.
Who is Ankur Rathee’s wife?
Ankur Rathee’s wife is actress Anuja Joshi. The couple married in England in June 2022.
What did Ankur Rathee study?
Rathee graduated from Princeton University. He also briefly studied filmmaking at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Is Ankur Rathee in Best of the Best?
Yes. Rathee stars in Netflix’s 2026 comedy Best of the Best. The film features a competitive Bollywood-fusion dance setting.
Ankur Rathee’s Growing Legacy
Ankur Rathee has developed a career across Indian cinema, American entertainment, theater, dance, and streaming.
His journey began with dance and theater before expanding into screen acting. Consequently, he has built experience across several performance formats.
His roles in Indian streaming productions established his visibility among international audiences. Meanwhile, Best of the Best gives him another major opportunity in American entertainment.
As his career continues, Rathee remains connected to both sides of his cultural background. His combination of acting, dance, theater, and filmmaking continues to shape his professional identity.
