Quick answer: Jason Shah is a Mumbai-based actor and model who entered Bigg Boss 10 as a wild card contestant in 2016. He has since become known for playing British officers on screen, most notably Alastair Cartwright in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024), and he has acted in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films such as Thugs of Hindostan, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire and Jigra.
Who is Jason Shah?
Jason Shah is an actor of mixed British and Indian background who grew up in Mumbai (then Bombay) and works mainly in Indian film and television. Before acting, he worked as a model, including fitness modelling, and he has said in interviews that his first ambition was to play cricket. In recent years he has often been cast as British characters in Indian period dramas.
Jason Shah: profile at a glance
- Name: Jason Shah
- Born: sources disagree. His Wikipedia entry gives 14 December 1987 in its text but files him under 1986 births, and an earlier version of this article gave 26 March 1986. We have not stated an age for that reason.
- Based in: Mumbai
- Education: New York Film Academy; University of Memphis
- Occupation: actor, model
- Known for: Bigg Boss 10 (wild card entry); Cartwright in Heeramandi; British officer roles in Indian period dramas
Family background
Accounts of Jason Shah’s family differ. His mother is British. In an interview with Global Indian he named his father as entrepreneur Kantilal Shah, of Kutchi Jain background, while his Wikipedia entry describes an American father and an Indian stepfather of Gujarati origin. Wikipedia also gives his birthplace as Ireland, whereas an earlier version of this article said he was born in Mumbai. What the sources agree on is that he grew up in Mumbai.
An earlier version of this article also said he was “not well in Hindi”, that he “has got looks to die for” and that his girlfriend’s name was unknown. Those lines were speculation or opinion and have been removed.
Jason Shah in Bigg Boss 10 (2016)
Bigg Boss 10 began on Colors in October 2016 with Salman Khan as host. On day 42 of the season, Jason Shah entered the house as one of four wild card contestants, along with Elena Kazan, Priyanka Jagga and Sahil Anand. In week seven he took part in the “dome” task against Gaurav Chopra; he left the dome before Gaurav, which saved Gaurav and put Jason up for eviction. He walked out of the show about two weeks after entering and is recorded as finishing 13th. Manveer Gurjar went on to win the season, with Bani J as the first runner-up.
An earlier version of this article, written the day after his entry, asked whether he would “beat Gaurav”. That question has been answered above. Read our profile of his fellow wild card entrant Elena Kazan, the season’s winner Manveer Gurjar and our list of Bigg Boss winners.
Films
Jason Shah’s earliest screen appearances include an uncredited role as a groom in Partner (2007), the music video “Dupatta Tera Nau Rang Da” and a Van Heusen advertisement. His film work since includes:
- Fitoor (2016, Hindi): a cameo, his Bollywood debut.
- Thugs of Hindostan (2018, Hindi): an East India Company officer.
- August 16 1947 (2023, Tamil): Justin, the son of a British officer, his Tamil debut.
- Conjuring Kannappan (2023, Tamil): Soldier William.
- Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023, Telugu)
- Mission: Chapter 1 (2024, Tamil): Neil Johnson.
- Jigra (2024, Hindi): Matthew.
- Nagabandham (2026, Telugu)
Television and web series
- Dev DD (2017) and Dev DD 2 (2021): web series.
- Chandrashekhar (2018): John Nott-Bower.
- Khoob Ladi Mardaani – Jhansi Ki Rani (2019): the British general Hugh Rose.
- Barrister Babu (2020): Sir John Greenwood.
- State of Siege: 26/11 (2020): web series.
- Swaraj (2022): Vasco da Gama.
- Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024, Netflix): Alastair Cartwright, a British police officer.
- The Revolutionaries (2026, Amazon Prime Video): General Dyer.
Frequently asked questions
Who played Cartwright in Heeramandi?
Jason Shah played Alastair Cartwright, the British officer in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024).
Was Jason Shah in Bigg Boss?
Yes. He entered Bigg Boss 10 in 2016 as a wild card contestant and walked out of the show about two weeks later.
Is Jason Shah Indian or British?
He has a British mother and grew up in Mumbai, where he lives and works. He has said that holding a British passport is why he could not pursue cricket for India. Accounts of his father’s background differ.
Which was Jason Shah’s first Bollywood film?
His Bollywood debut is usually given as a cameo in Fitoor (2016), though he had an uncredited appearance in Partner (2007).
Details checked in October 2026 against his Wikipedia entry and its cited interviews, the Bigg Boss 10 season record and press coverage of Heeramandi. Where sources disagree, we have said so.
