Karan Tacker (born 11 May 1986[1]) is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi television and series. Tacker is best known for his portrayal of Viren Singh Vadhera in Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai, Farooq Ali in Special OPS and Amit Lodha IPS in Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. In 2014, he participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7 and emerged as the 1st runner-up.
Tacker was born on 11 May 1986 in Mumbai, in a Hindu family from Punjab.[2] He acquired a degree in Business Management before joining the television space.[3]
Tacker had his first acting appearance in the film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).[4] Tacker made his television debut with Love Ne Mila Di Jodi, where he played Sameer Saxena opposite Perneet Chauhan, from 2009 to 2010.[5] From 2010 to 2011, he played Shantanu Khandelwal opposite Yashashri Masurkar in Rang Badalti Odhani.[6]
Tacker had his career breakthrough with Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai, where he played Viren Singh Vadhera opposite Krystle D'Souza, from 2011 to 2013.[7] The series earned him nomination for ITA Award for GR8! Performer Of The Year – Male.[8]
In 2014, Tacker participated in the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and emerged as the first runner up of the show.[9] Tacker then became host for Halla Bol (2014), The Voice India (2015) and Nach Baliye (2017).[10][11]
Tacker expanded to web in 2020 with Special Ops, where he played an undercover agent. This marked his return to acting in a major role after 7 years after Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai, that ended in 2013.[12] Saibal Chatterjee stated that he gave an "impressive performance".[13] Divyanshi Sharma of India Today noted, "Tacker gives a fine performance and looks dashing throughout."[14] In 2021, Tacker reprised his role in the spin off series Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story.[15]
Tacker portrayed SP Amit Lodha IPS opposite Nikita Dutta in the 2022 series Khakee: The Bihar Chapter.[16][17] Both Anuj Kumar and Saikat Chakraborty were appreciative of his performance adding that he "looks the part", but criticised the under development of his character.[18]
Tacker had two releases in 2025. He first made his film debut with Tanvi the Great, portraying an army officer.[19] A Bollywood Hungama critic found him to be "adorable" in his role.[20] He then reprised his role in the second season of Special Ops. Chirag Sehgal of News18 noted, "Tacker gets less screen time in comparison to the first season but does his part with utmost perfection."[21]
In Times Most Desirable Men on Television list, Tacker was placed 3rd in 2017.[22]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tanvi the Great | Captain Samar Raina | [23] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–2010 | Love Ne Mila Di Jodi | Sameer Saxena | [24] | |
| 2010–2011 | Rang Badalti Odhani | Shantanu Khandelwal | ||
| 2011–2013 | Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai | Viren Singh Vadhera | [25] | |
| 2011 | Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? | Himself | Guest appearance | |
| 2012 | Punar Vivah | |||
| Teri Meri Love Stories | ||||
| 2013 | Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara | |||
| 2014 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7 | Contestant | 1st runner-up | |
| Halla Bol | Host | |||
| Kaun Banega Crorepati 8 | Himself | |||
| Box Cricket League | Contestant | [26] | ||
| 2015 | Farah Ki Dawat | Episode: "Karan Special" | [27] | |
| Killerr Karaoke Atka Toh Latkah | [28] | |||
| India's Got Talent | [29] | |||
| The Voice | Host | [30] | ||
| Strictly Come Dancing 13 | Himself | [31] | ||
| Sarojini - Ek Nayi Pehal | [32] | |||
| Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi | [33] | |||
| 2016 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9 | [34] | ||
| 2017 | Nach Baliye 8 | Host | [35] | |
| 2018 | The Remix | [36] | ||
| Bepannah | Himself | |||
| Ace of Space 1 | [37] | |||
| Naagin 3 | ||||
| 2019 | Kitchen Champion 5 | Contestant |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Special Ops | Farooq Ali / Amjad Sharif / Rashid Malik | 3 seasons | [38] |
| 2021 | Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story | |||
| 2022 | Khakee: The Bihar Chapter | SP Amit Lodha IPS | [39] | |
| 2025 | Special Ops 2 | Farooq Ali / Amjad Sharif / Rashid Malik | [40] | |
| TBA | Bhay: The Gaurav Tiwari Story † | TBA | Completed | [41] |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Gold Awards | Most Fit Actor | — | Won | [42] |
| Indian Television Academy Awards | GR8! Performer Of The Year – Male | Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Gold Glam and Style Awards | Most Fit Actor | — | Won | [43] |
| 2023 | Iconic Gold Awards | Power Pack Performer | Khakee: The Bihar Chapter | Won | [44] |
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