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Ajay Naidu

Ajay Naidu

Actor, also director and writer · Born February 12, 1972 (54) · Evanston, Illinois, USA

Ajay Kalahastri Naidu (born 12 February 1972) is an American actor. Naidu was born in Evanston, Illinois and raised in Chicago, the son of Indian immigrants from Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh to the U.S. He attended Evanston Township High School. As an actor, he trained with the American Repertory Theater's Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. His first professional acting job was the film Touch and Go (released in 1986) which he won from an open call, this in turn led to television jobs.He starred in the TV-movie, Lady Blue (1985) as "Paquito". This was followed by an ABC Afterschool Special episode, "No Greater Gift" (1985), where he played "Nick Santana", a 12-year old boy with a terminal illness. He then appeared in an uncredited role as "Ahmed" in the "MacGyver" TV series, during the first season, in episode, "To Be a Man" in 1986. Other film credits when younger include Where the River Runs Black (1986) and Vice Versa (1988). Between 1988 and 1995 he worked extensively in classical theatre. He returned to film acting in SubUrbia (1996), where he was praised for his role as the convenience store owner, "Nazeer Choudhury" and for which he was nominated for an independent spirit award for best supporting actor. On screen, Naidu has appeared in the film Office Space, as well as K-Pax, π, Requiem for a Dream, Bad Santa, The War Within, American Chai, The Guru, Waterborne and Loins of Punjab Presents and many more. He co-starred in the sitcom LateLine and had guest starring roles on the television dramas The Sopranos, in the episode entitled Big Girls Don't Cry, as well as The West Wing. In 1997, Naidu was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his role in the independent film subUrbia. Naidu has been working extensively with musicians from the Asian underground music movement for many years and his vocals have appeared on many records most notably Talvin Singh's mercury award winner "OK". In 2006 he directed his first feature film Ashes which came out in 2010. His most recent Theatre credits include A world tour of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure with Simon McBurney's Theatre Complicite, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui alongside Al Pacino, and The Little Flower of East Orange at New York's Public Theater. He is currently engaged to actress Heather Burns.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 12, 1972 (54)
From
Evanston, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor, also director and writer
Titles
58 on MovieCove · 82 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Up 36% in 30 days

What are Ajay Naidu's films like?

Across their 30 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy18 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
31%
Bonds
31%
Society
15%
Morality
10%
Survival
7%
Power
3%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 18 · Serious 4 · Dark 8

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 22 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 14 · Charged 11 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 20 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 6

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 10

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 18 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 18 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 13 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 7

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 8
Mentor
2 of 8
Hero
1 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Threshold guardian
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
14
Tense
9
Hopeful
11
Joyful
9
Melancholic
10
Other
29

How their films linger

Feel-good16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous9

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ajay Naidu's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 40 of their 58 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ajay Naidu's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

82 credits, 58 with a MovieCove page.

  • Only Good Feelings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Lee

  • Brenda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Dennis

  • Bunny(2025)

    as Officer Cellestino

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Peas and Carrots(2024)

    as Director

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Elsbeth(2024)

    Show 3 episodes · as Martin Wali

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • The Zombie Wedding(2023)

    as Brick Rivers

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Magnificent Meyersons(2023)

    as Mohammed

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Extrapolations(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Hiram

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • The Good Nurse(2022)

    as Dr. Robert Hind

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Uncoupled (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Raffi

  • WeCrashed(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Randall

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Dr. Death(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Sasani

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Thorp(2020)

    as Pat

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Antarctica(2020)

    as Principle Pepp

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The Sleepless(2020)

    as Vivek

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Uncle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • The Dark End of the Street(2020)

    as Graham

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • God Friended Me(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Eric

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Kindergarten Teacher(2018)

    as Nikhil Roy

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Boy Boy Girl Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Lost Cat Corona (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Amir

  • Billions(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Kulbinder Darcha

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Blindspot(2015)

    Show 4 episodes · as Shohid Akhtar

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Mahmoud Iqbal

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • 3 Days of Normal(2012)

    as Vik Donowitz

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Mister Handsome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Mister Handsome

  • Ashes(2010)

    Director · Writer · as Ashes

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • PIA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Rakesh

  • Today's Special(2009)

    as Munnamia

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Falling Up(2009)

    as Paco

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kings(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Nayar

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Hotel for Dogs(2009)

    as ACO Jake

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Stream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Kyle

  • The Wrestler(2008)

    as Medic

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Righteous Kill(2008)

    as Dr. Chadrabar

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Accidental Husband(2008)

    as Deep

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Loins of Punjab Presents(2007)

    as Turbanotorious B.D.G.

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Hiding Divya(2006)

    as Divya's Husband

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • 30 Rock(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Asif

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Confess(2005)

    as Account Executive

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The War Within(2005)

    as Naved

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Honeymooners(2005)

    as Vivek

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Scooby-Doo in Where's My Mummy?(2005)

    as Prince Omar (voice)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Alchemy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Best Man

  • Waterborne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Vikram Bhatti

  • 212 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Vincent

  • Perception (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Kamal

  • The Jury (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as George Edwards

  • Bad Santa(2003)

    as Hindustani Troublemaker

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Scary Movie 3(2003)

    as Sayaman

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Justice(2003)

    as Mohammed

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Fillmore! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Sanjay (voice)

  • The Guru(2002)

    as Sanjay

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Masul the Cabbie

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • K-PAX(2001)

    as Dr. Chakaraborty

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Hannibal(2001)

    as Perfume Expert

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • American Chai(2001)

    as Hari

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Requiem for a Dream(2000)

    as Mailman

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Dinner Rush(2000)

    as Ademir the Matre'd

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • More Dogs Than Bones(2000)

    as Andy

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • You Are Here* (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Sanjay

  • Office Space(1999)

    as Samir Nagheenanajar

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Sopranos(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Omar

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Chutney Popcorn(1999)

    as Raju

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Pi(1998)

    as Farroukh

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Scotch and Milk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Armand

  • My Giant(1998)

    as Hot Dog Vendor

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • LateLine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 12 episodes · as Raji Bakshi

  • Montana(1998)

    as Ives

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Once We Were Strangers(1997)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • SubwayStories: Tales from the Underground(1997)

    as Prashant (segment "Honey-Getter")

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • SubUrbia(1996)

    as Nazeer Choudhury

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • King of the Hill(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Delivery Guy / Malik (voice)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Vice Versa(1988)

    as Dale

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Where the River Runs Black(1986)

    as Segundo

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Touch and Go(1986)

    as Louis DeLeon

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • MacGyver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Ahmed

  • No Greater Gift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Nick Santana

  • A Company of Thieves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Vivien & the Florist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Eldridge

  • Wire & Cloth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Sunil

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 80 titles, 77 of them dated from 1985 to 2026; peak year 1999.

Biggest box office

Hotel for Dogs (2009)

$117M worldwide

Highest rated

Office Space (1999)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Hotel for Dogs (2009)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19852026

Peak 1999 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting80 of 80: 79 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndDirecting1 of 80: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 80: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s5 · acting1990s11 · acting2000s34 · acting2010s11 · 11 acting · 1 crew2020s16 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 22 roles
8803

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Ajay Naidu's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 45; across their 30 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 48th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 58 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 58 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

The Zombie Wedding (2023)

99th percentile spread · 43% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Midcredits 98th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 28 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ajay Naidu's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles8–64 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles20–62 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles37–85 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles20–59 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles19–65 · median 47 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Ajay Naidu work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ajay Naidu's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Samrat Chakrabarti shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles