Faisal Malik Biography: Age, Family, Prahlad Cha in Panchayat, Movies, Kumbhakarna in Ramayana, Awards & Latest News
Last updated: 11 November 2026
Faisal Malik (born 18 February 1980) is an Indian actor and producer, loved by millions as Prahlad Pandey, or “Prahlad Cha”, in Prime Video’s Panchayat. He spent years behind the camera as a producer before Anurag Kashyap pushed him to act. In 2026 he plays Kumbhakarna, Ravana’s giant brother, in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part 1, a role that took him to No. 5 on IMDb’s Trending People in India list. This Faisal Malik biography covers his age, hometown, career, Panchayat, his Kumbhakarna role in Ramayana, awards and the latest news.
Faisal Malik Key Facts
- Born: 18 February 1980
- Hometown: Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh
- Profession: Actor and producer
- Best known for: Prahlad Pandey (Prahlad Cha) in Panchayat
- Acting debut: Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012)
- Awards: Critics’ Choice, Filmfare OTT and IIFA Digital awards for Panchayat
- Latest: Kumbhakarna in Ramayana: Part 1 (2026)
- Next: Panchayat Season 5
Faisal Malik Latest News
- IMDb No. 5: He was fifth on IMDb’s Trending People in India list released on 10 November 2026. Six of the top ten names were linked to Ramayana.
- Kumbhakarna on screen: Ramayana: Part 1 released on 5 November 2026, with Faisal as Kumbhakarna opposite Yash‘s Ravana. He told Variety India that the character’s look was partly inspired by Marvel’s Hulk.
- Bigger in Part 2: Faisal has said Ramayana: Part 2 (Diwali 2027) will be even more spectacular. Kumbhakarna’s main battle comes in the second half of the epic.
- Panchayat Season 5: In late October 2026 he hinted at “shifts and changes” in the new season. Director Deepak Kumar Mishra had said it could arrive around October or November 2026, but no date has been confirmed yet.
Faisal Malik Biography, Age and Wiki
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Faisal Malik |
| Popular as | Prahlad Cha (Panchayat) |
| Profession | Actor, producer |
| Date of Birth | 18 February 1980 |
| Age | 46 years (as of 2026) |
| Hometown | Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Lives in | Mumbai |
| Family | |
| Family | Keeps his family life private |
| Career | |
| Acting Debut | Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012) |
| Breakthrough | Panchayat (2020–present) as Prahlad Pandey |
| Recent Films | Thamma (2025), Subedaar (2026) |
| Latest Release | Ramayana: Part 1 (2026) as Kumbhakarna |
| Upcoming | Panchayat Season 5, Ramayana: Part 2 (Diwali 2027) |
| As Producer | Revolver Rani, Main Aur Charles |
Faisal Malik Early Life
Faisal Malik comes from Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh. Like many small-town boys of his generation, he grew up watching Hindi films and dreamt of working in Mumbai. He moved to the city as a young man, not as an actor but to work behind the camera.
Faisal Malik Career
Two decades as a producer
For many years Faisal worked in film production, handling the logistics of shoots and later producing projects himself. He co-produced films and series such as Revolver Rani (2014), Main Aur Charles (2015) and the web series Smoke. That experience taught him how sets work from the ground up. He has said in interviews that he was “getting his due after two decades” when acting finally took off.
Gangs of Wasseypur
Director Anurag Kashyap insisted that Faisal take a role in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012), where he played police inspector Gopal Singh. It was a small part, but it started his acting career. Over the next few years he played police officers and side characters in projects like Fraud Saiyaan (2019) and the series Black Widows (2020).
Panchayat and Prahlad Cha
In 2020 TVF and Prime Video launched Panchayat, a gentle comedy about Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar), an engineering graduate posted as secretary of the village of Phulera. Faisal played Prahlad Pandey, the Up-Pradhan (deputy head) and best friend of the Pradhan-pati, played by Raghubir Yadav. Faisal has said he first turned the role down before agreeing to it.
Prahlad quickly became a fan favourite. In Season 2 (2022), Prahlad’s son Rahul, an army jawan, is killed on duty, and Faisal’s quiet, broken performance in that episode moved viewers across India. It won him the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor. Season 3 (2024) won him the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Supporting Actor (Comedy) and the IIFA Digital Award. Panchayat Season 4 released in June 2025, and Season 5 is due next.
Films and other shows
The success of Panchayat brought him more film work. He appeared in Mast Mein Rehne Ka (2023) with Jackie Shroff and Neena Gupta, the Malayalam film Ariyippu (2022) and the series Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper and Swipe Crime. He played Inspector P. K. Yadav in Maddock Films’ horror comedy Thamma (2025) and Softy Bhaiya in Subedaar (2026) with Anil Kapoor.
Faisal Malik as Kumbhakarna in Ramayana
In March 2026, Hindustan Times reported that Faisal had been cast as Kumbhakarna in Nitesh Tiwari‘s Ramayana, a role that had earlier been linked to Bobby Deol. Sources said his height and strong build made him a good fit. He shot an introduction scene with Yash‘s Ravana at Prime Focus Studios in Mumbai, with heavy use of visual effects.
Faisal has called the role “a dream come true”, since he grew up watching the Ramayana on television. He told Variety India that the team used Marvel’s Hulk as one reference for the giant’s look. He hopes Kumbhakarna will help audiences see him beyond Prahlad Cha. With the Lanka war still to come in Ramayana: Part 2, his role is expected to grow in the second film.
Faisal Malik Movies List
| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 | Inspector Gopal Singh | Hindi |
| 2019 | Fraud Saiyaan | Inspector | Hindi |
| 2022 | Ariyippu | Dinesh | Malayalam |
| 2023 | Mast Mein Rehne Ka | Baburam | Hindi |
| 2025 | Thamma | Inspector P. K. Yadav | Hindi |
| 2026 | Subedaar | Softy Bhaiya | Hindi |
| 2026 | Ramayana: Part 1 | Kumbhakarna | Hindi |
| 2027 | Ramayana: Part 2 | Kumbhakarna (upcoming) | Hindi |
Faisal Malik Web Series
| Year | Show | Role / Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Black Widows | Inspector Bholey |
| 2020–present | Panchayat (Prime Video) | Prahlad Pandey |
| 2024 | Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper (Netflix) | Supporting role |
| 2024 | Swipe Crime | Professor |
Faisal Malik Awards
- Critics’ Choice Shorts and Series Award – Best Supporting Actor, Panchayat Season 2 (2023)
- Filmfare OTT Award – Best Supporting Actor, Comedy, Panchayat Season 3 (2024)
- IIFA Digital Award – Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Series), Panchayat Season 3 (2025)
Faisal Malik’s Acting Style
Faisal Malik is known for quiet, natural performances. As Prahlad Cha he rarely raises his voice, and much of the character’s humour and sadness comes through his eyes and pauses. Fans often say he feels like a real villager rather than an actor. His years as a producer also help: he understands how a scene is built and how to support the lead actors around him.
Why Is Faisal Malik Trending in November 2026?
Faisal is trending because audiences who knew him only as the gentle Prahlad Cha are now seeing him as the giant Kumbhakarna in Ramayana: Part 1. The contrast between the two roles has caught people’s attention on social media. At the same time, Panchayat fans are waiting for news on Season 5, which he has been teasing in interviews. Both together took him to No. 5 on IMDb’s list, ahead of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Yash and Ranbir Kapoor.
Faisal Malik Net Worth
Faisal Malik has not disclosed his net worth, and there is no official figure. He earns from acting in films and web series and from his earlier work as a producer. Figures on celebrity-wealth websites are estimates and should be treated with caution.
Lesser-Known Facts About Faisal Malik
- He worked as a producer for years before becoming an actor.
- Anurag Kashyap convinced him to act in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2.
- He has said he first declined the role of Prahlad in Panchayat.
- The role of Kumbhakarna in Ramayana was earlier linked to Bobby Deol.
- He used Marvel’s Hulk as one reference for Kumbhakarna’s look.
- His co-star Chandan Roy (Vikas) is one of his closest friends from the Panchayat set.
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FAQs About Faisal Malik
How old is Faisal Malik?
Faisal Malik was born on 18 February 1980 in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, so he is 46 years old in 2026.
Who plays Kumbhakarna in Ramayana?
Faisal Malik, best known as Prahlad Cha in Panchayat, plays Kumbhakarna in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana.
Who plays Prahlad Cha in Panchayat?
Faisal Malik plays Prahlad Pandey, known as Prahlad Cha, in Prime Video’s Panchayat.
Where is Faisal Malik from?
Faisal Malik is from Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh.
What was Faisal Malik’s first film as an actor?
His first acting role was Inspector Gopal Singh in Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012).
When will Panchayat Season 5 release?
Prime Video has confirmed Season 5 for 2026, and the director said it could come around October or November 2026. An official date had not been announced as of 11 November 2026.
Has Faisal Malik won any awards?
Yes. He has won the Critics’ Choice, Filmfare OTT and IIFA Digital awards for best supporting actor for Panchayat.
Is Faisal Malik in Ramayana Part 2?
Yes. Kumbhakarna’s main battle comes in the second half of the story, and Faisal has said Part 2 will be even bigger. It is planned for Diwali 2027.
Who plays Vikas in Panchayat?
Chandan Roy plays Vikas in Panchayat. He is one of Faisal Malik’s closest friends from the show.
What happened to Prahlad’s son in Panchayat?
In Panchayat Season 2, Prahlad’s son Rahul, an army jawan, is killed on duty. Faisal Malik’s performance in that episode won wide praise.
About This Biography
Written by: MyStarsBio Editorial Team. This profile was checked against the sources listed below. It reports Faisal Malik’s career and the personal details he has shared publicly.
Sources
- ETV Bharat – IMDb Trending People in India, week of 10 Nov 2026
- NewsBytes – Faisal Malik cast as Kumbhakarna (HT report)
- BollywoodShaadis – Faisal Malik on Kumbhakarna’s Hulk-inspired look
- NewsBytes – Faisal Malik hints at changes in Panchayat 5
- Pinkvilla – Panchayat Season 5 release window
- IMDb – Faisal Malik awards