Shihan Hussaini Biography
Shihan Hussaini was a multifaceted Indian personality—a martial artist, actor, sculptor, poet, and political devotee—whose life was as dramatic as the roles he played on screen.
Early Life & Education
Full Name: Syed Ali Murtuza Hussaini
Born: December 28, 1964, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Died: March 25, 2025, at age 60, due to blood cancer and aplastic anemia
Religion: Islam
Education:
St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Madurai
Don Bosco High School, Kolkata
BSc in Zoology – American College, Madurai
MA in Social Work – Madurai Institute of Social Work
Diplomas in Journalism, Counseling, and Intellectual Property Rights
BFA & MFA in Sculpture and Painting
PhD Research Scholar in Archery in Ancient Sculpture
Career Highlights
Martial Arts:
Renowned karate expert, held multiple Guinness World Records
Performed extreme feats like being bitten by cobras, breaking thousands of tiles, and pulling cars with his ears
Founded a martial arts school to train young fighters
Acting:
Debuted in Punnagai Mannan (1986)
Played antagonists in films like Velaikaran (1987) and Bloodstone (1988)
Final appearance in Chennai City Gangsters (2025)
Also worked in unreleased films and supported productions like Marudhanayagam and Jeans
Art & Media:
Accomplished sculptor and painter
Hosted a cooking show called Athiradi Samayal on Mega TV
Served as General Secretary of the Archery Association of Tamil Nadu
Political Devotion
A fierce admirer of J. Jayalalithaa, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Painted 56 portraits using his own blood for her birthday
Created a bust of her face from frozen blood
Crucified himself in 2015 wearing a shirt with “Amma” to pray for her electoral victory
Personal Life
Wife: Anita Hussaini, a karate athlete (married in 2010)
Children: One daughter
Siblings:
Brother: Ishaq Hussaini (actor and martial artist)
Sisters: Hanifa, Valentina Parveen, Zubaida Johnny, and Lenina Tahira
Father: Dr. Syed Abdul Quadir Hussaini (professor and author)
Mother: Meher Babu
Shihan Hussaini’s life was a blend of discipline, devotion, and dramatic flair—a man who lived boldly, whether on the mat, on screen, or in the name of politics.
Shihan Hussaini Age
Shihan Hussaini was born on December 28, 1958, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, and passed away on March 25, 2025, in Chennai. That made him 66 years old at the time of his death.
Interestingly, some earlier sources had mistakenly listed his birth year as 1964, which would have made him 60. However, official records and updated biographies confirm 1958 as his correct birth year.
Shihan Hussaini Education
Shihan Hussaini’s educational journey was as eclectic and ambitious as his career. He pursued a wide range of academic disciplines, blending science, art, journalism, and social work:
Primary & Secondary Education
St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Madurai (1975)
Don Bosco High School, Park Circus, Kolkata
Undergraduate & Postgraduate Degrees
BSc in Zoology – American College, Madurai (1979)
MA in Social Work – Madurai Institute of Social Work (1982)
Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling – Madurai Institute of Social Work (1983)
Artistic & Legal Studies
Diploma in Journalism – Presidency College, Bengaluru
Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights Management
BFA in Sculpture – Government College of Fine Arts, Madurai (2010)
MFA in Painting and Sculpture – Government College of Fine Arts, Madurai
Doctoral Research
PhD Research Scholar – Tamil Nadu Government Music and Fine Arts University
Focus: Archery in Ancient Sculpture
His academic path reflects a deep commitment to both intellectual exploration and creative expression, making him a rare blend of scholar, artist, and warrior.
Shihan Hussaini Religion
Shihan Hussaini was a devout Muslim, but his spirituality was deeply personal and expansive. He often described himself as being “deeply and differently religious,” blending traditional Islamic beliefs with a profound sense of universal divinity.
Faith & Spiritual Identity
He traced his lineage to the bloodline of the Prophet Muhammad, a discovery that deeply influenced his spiritual outlook.
Though a practicing Muslim, he believed that God manifested in all forms of life—humans, animals, nature, and creativity.
He once said, “I feel God in every moment in my life. I feel Him in me.” This reflected his belief that divinity wasn’t confined to mosques or rituals, but was present in everyday experiences.
Expressions of Faith
He frequently visited the Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Delhi for meditation and peace, showing his openness to spiritual practices beyond Islam.
His acts of devotion—like painting portraits with his own blood or crucifying himself in support of Jayalalithaa—were, in his view, spiritual sacrifices, not just political statements.
Shihan’s religion wasn’t just a label—it was a living, breathing force in his life, expressed through art, endurance, and a fierce sense of purpose.
Shihan Hussaini Net Worth
Shihan Hussaini’s net worth was estimated at around $5 million USD as of late 2023. This wealth was accumulated through a diverse and unconventional career that spanned martial arts, film, art, television, and political performance art.
Sources of Income
Film & Television: He acted in Tamil-language films such as Punnagai Mannan, Velaikaran, and Bloodstone, and hosted the cooking show Athiradi Samayal on Mega TV.
Martial Arts: As a celebrated karate expert, he held multiple world records and ran a martial arts school, training young fighters and organizing public demonstrations.
Art & Sculpture: He was a professional sculptor and painter, with formal degrees in fine arts. His works included both traditional pieces and controversial installations, like the bust of Jayalalithaa made from frozen blood.
Publicity & Endorsements: His extreme acts of devotion and media stunts brought him national attention, which likely contributed to paid appearances and sponsorships.
Property & Personal Assets: He reportedly lived in his own home and maintained a modest but stable lifestyle.
Despite his dramatic public persona, Shihan’s financial success was rooted in hard-earned versatility—he turned passion into profession across multiple fields.
Shihan Hussaini Wife
Shihan Hussaini was married to Anita Hussaini, a fellow karate athlete, on April 7, 2010. Their relationship was rooted in shared passions—particularly martial arts—and mutual respect. Anita was not just his partner in life but also a supportive presence in his professional and spiritual journey.
Though she largely stayed out of the public spotlight, Anita was known to be deeply involved in his martial arts initiatives and community outreach. In interviews, Shihan often spoke of her with affection and reverence, once calling her his “greatest loss” in a moment of emotional reflection.
Together, they had one daughter, and their family life was described as close-knit and grounded, despite Shihan’s larger-than-life public persona.
Shihan Hussaini Children
Shihan Hussaini had one daughter, though her name and personal details have not been publicly disclosed. He was known to be deeply protective of his family’s privacy, especially given his often controversial public persona and extreme acts of devotion.
Despite his fame as a martial artist, actor, and political performance artist, he kept his daughter out of the media spotlight. There are no known interviews, public appearances, or social media profiles linked to her. His wife, Anita Hussaini, a karate athlete herself, was similarly discreet, though she was known to support his work behind the scenes.
Shihan Hussaini Social Media Followers
Shihan Hussaini maintained a modest but meaningful social media presence, using it more as a platform for expression than for popularity.
Handle: @shihan_hussaini_hu
His final post, titled “Take Me Home”, was a poignant video shared shortly before his passing in March 2025.
He used Instagram to share glimpses of his art, martial arts feats, and spiritual reflections.
Exact follower count is not publicly archived, but it was in the low thousands, reflecting a niche but loyal following.
Other Platforms
He had accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, though none were heavily promoted or verified.
His content often included motivational quotes, artwork, and tributes to Jayalalithaa, as well as updates on his martial arts school and public stunts.
Despite his dramatic public acts, he kept a low digital profile, preferring offline engagement through community work and media appearances.
Shihan’s online presence mirrored his real-life persona: intense, artistic, and deeply personal, rather than driven by follower counts or viral fame.
Shihan Hussaini Achievements
Shihan Hussaini’s achievements were as vast and intense as his personality—spanning martial arts, cinema, art, and political performance. Here’s a full look at what made him such a singular force:
Martial Arts & World Records
Godfather of Isshinryu Karate in India: Trained over 300,000 students, produced 2,300 black belt instructors, and established 554 karate schools across 7 countries.
12 human endurance world records, including:
Being bitten by four poisonous cobras
Set ablaze with 140 liters of petrol
Crucified himself with six-inch nails for over six minutes in 2015 as a political prayer.
Smashed tons of ice with his forehead
Served as mind coach for the Korean archery team at the Rio Olympics, credited with helping them win gold in every category.
Cinema & Media
Debuted in Punnagai Mannan (1986), later appeared in Velaikaran, Bloodstone, and Badri (as Vijay’s karate coach).
Worked behind the scenes on major productions like Marudhanayagam and Jeans.
Hosted the cooking show Athiradi Samayal on Mega TV.
Acted in unreleased films and supported Tamil cinema through choreography and training.
Art & Academia
Accomplished sculptor and painter, with degrees in BFA and MFA.
Created portraits and busts using his own blood, including a bust of Jayalalithaa’s face made from frozen blood.
PhD research scholar in Archery in Ancient Sculpture, blending his artistic and martial passions.
Political Devotion
Fierce admirer of J. Jayalalithaa, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
Painted 56 portraits with his blood for her birthday in 2004
Crucified himself in 2015 wearing a shirt with “Amma” to pray for her electoral 1
His acts were seen as spiritual sacrifices, not mere stunts—earning both admiration and controversy.
Legacy
Known as “HU,” he described himself as a mind coach, philosopher, and modern-day polymath.
Despite criticism, he remained unapologetically bold, inspiring generations with his fearless creativity and discipline.
Shihan Hussaini wasn’t just a man of many talents—he was a man of unrelenting conviction, who lived every moment as a performance, a prayer, or a protest. Let me know if you’d like to explore his Guinness records or his influence on Tamil martial arts cinema.
