Sajid Sulieman Nadiadwala was born on February 18, 1966, into a prominent Gujarati Muslim family with deep roots in the Indian film industry. His grandfather, Abdul Karim Nadiadwala, migrated from Nadiad, Gujarat, to Mumbai in 1955, where he became a renowned filmmaker and producer.
The Nadiadwala family owned several theaters in Malad, Mumbai, and produced over 200 films, including classics like “Taj Mahal” and “Chitralekha.” Being raised in a typical filmy atmosphere, he used to watch a lot of movies since his childhood.
Despite his family’s cinematic legacy, Sajid initially aspired to become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. However, his passion for films led him to pursue a career in the film industry.
Although he completed his graduation in Law and Chartered Accountancy, he started his career as a spot boy for his sheer love for movies. In 1985, at age 21, he joined J.P. Dutta as an assistant director on “Ghulami,” working hands-on to understand the art of filmmaking.
After working as a production assistant in his uncle’s production house, Sajid established his own production company called “Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt Ltd” at the age of 25. In 1992, he produced his first film “Zulm Ki Hukumat” starring Dharmendra and Govinda. He brought together Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty for the first time on the big screen with his next film, “Waqt Hamara Hai” (1993).
His breakthrough came with “Jeet” in 1996, starring Salman Khan and Sunny Deol, which became a huge hit and popularized Sunny’s hook step in the song “Yaara O Yaara.” His next film, “Judwaa” (1997), starring Salman Khan in a double role, created a benchmark in the actor’s life and was recognized as a cult film. The late 1990s and 2000s saw him producing successful films like “Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega” (2000) and “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi” (2004).
Sajid revolutionized Bollywood with “Housefull” (2010), which launched one of the most successful comedy franchises in Indian cinema. Housefull 2 (2012) became his first film to enter the 100-crore club, marking a milestone for Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.
In 2014, he had an exceptional year with four successful films: “Highway,” “2 States,” “Heropanti,” and his directorial debut “Kick.”
Sajid made his directorial debut with “Kick” (2014), a remake of the Telugu film of the same name, starring Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez. The film broke all previous Khan records and became one of the top 100 highest-grossing Indian films, also successfully resurrecting Jacqueline Fernandez’s Bollywood career.
He continued his success streak with films like “Phantom” (2015), “Tamasha” (2015), and the action-packed “Baaghi” franchise starring Tiger Shroff, whom he launched with “Heropanti” (2014).
In 2019, his production “Chhichhore,” directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring the late Sushant Singh Rajput, won the National Film Award for Best Hindi Feature Film at the 67th National Film Awards. Sajid dedicated this prestigious award to Sushant Singh Rajput, stating, “We can’t get over his loss ever, but I sincerely pray that this award gives a little bit of happiness to his family and fans.”
Personal life has been marked by both tragedy and resilience. Sajid married actress Divya Bharti on May 10, 1992, in a private Nikah ceremony. Tragically, just ten months later, Divya fell to her death from their fifth-floor apartment window at age 19.
In 2000, he married Warda Khan, a former journalist whom he first met when she was 16 during an interview. The couple has two sons, Sufyan and Subhan. Warda has mentioned that Divya Bharti remains a part of their lives, with their children calling her “Badi Mummy” when they watch her movies.
Currently, Sajid continues to be a powerhouse in Bollywood with major upcoming projects including “Sikandar” (2025) with Salman Khan, which recently released, and “Baaghi 4” (September 2025) starring Tiger Shroff.
His production house is celebrating 75 years of the Nadiadwala legacy in entertainment. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is approximately ₹12,800 crore (around $1.5 billion), making him one of the wealthiest film producers in India.
Awards and Accolades:
- National Film Award for Best Hindi Feature Film – Chhichhore (67th National Film Awards, 2021)
- Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) – France
- Volare Award from Italian Consulate for fostering India-Italy friendship through films
- Various debutant director awards for Kick (2014)
- First producer in Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list
Interesting Facts:
- His production “Kambakkht Ishq” (2009) was the first Bollywood film to cast Hollywood superstars, including Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards, and Brandon Routh.
- He has been elected as the youngest President of the Indian Film and TV Producers’ Council (IFTPC) for 11 consecutive years.
- He has been honoured as the Ambassador for Indo-Abu Dhabi Entertainment.
Social Media:
Instagram: @nadiadwalagrandson
Twitter: @NGEMovies
