Paresh Rawal

Biography

Paresh Rawal (born 30 May 1955) is an Indian actor, comedian, film producer, and politician known for his works notably in Hindi films apart from Telugu films. He has appeared in over 240 films and is the recipient of various accolades including a National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards.

He was honored with Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor from the Government of India in 2014.

He has received recognition for his villainous roles in Telugu films such as Kshana Kshanam (1991), Money (1993), Money Money (1995), Govinda Govinda (1994), Rikshavodu (1995) and Bavagaru Bagunnara (1998).

His other notable works in Hindi cinema are Naam (1986), Shiva (1990), Mohra (1994), Tamanna (1996), Aitraaz (2004), Table No. 21 (2013), and Zilla Ghaziabad (2013).

Rawal has gained acclaim with comedy and a few intense supporting roles in Hindi films as some of his notable roles are in Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Chachi 420 (1997), Hera Pheri (2000), Nayak (2001), Aankhen (2002), Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Hungama (2003), Garam Masala (2005), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Chup Chup Ke (2006), Malamaal Weekly (2006), Welcome (2007), Mere Baap Pehle Aap (2008), Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), De Dana Dan (2009), Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? (2010), Ready (2010), OMG (2012), Welcome Back (2015), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Sanju (2018), and Uri (2019).

His most remembered role is Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the cult classic Hera Pheri comedy franchise, and he also appeared in the Tamil film Soorarai Pottru (2020).

Rawal with his wife Swaroop Sampat at the screening of the film Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

Rawal was born and raised in Bombay (present-day Mumbai) to a Gujarati family.

In 1987, Rawal married Swaroop Sampat, an actress, and winner of the Miss India contest in 1979. Paresh and Swaroop have two sons, Aditya and Anirudh. He is an alumnus of Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics, Vile Parle, Mumbai.

He won as the Bharatiya Janata Party's Member of Parliament (MP) from Ahmedabad East constituency in the 2014 Indian general election. In 2014, he was awarded Padma Shri.