Paresh Rawal

Paresh Rawal

Paresh Rawal (born 30 May 1951) is an Indian film actor, comedian[4] and politician known for his works notably in Bollywood. He was a member of parliament in the Lok Sabha of the Indian Parliament representing the Ahmedabad East constituency from 2014 to 2019. He is politically affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Rawal speaks Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu and English. In 1994, he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in the films Woh Chokri and Sir.[5] For the latter, he received his first Filmfare Award for Best Comedian. This was followed by Ketan Mehta's Sardar, which saw him playing the lead role of freedom fighter Vallabhbhai Patel, a role that got him national and international acclaim.[5]

He has received wide recognition for his villainous roles in Telugu box office hits such as Kshana Kshanam (1991), Money (1993), Money Money (1995), Govinda Govinda (1994), Rikshavodu (1995), Bavagaru Bagunnara (1998), Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. (2004), and Teen Maar (2011). 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).[5]

He then ventured into comedy, with hits such as Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Chachi 420 (1997), Hera Pheri (2000), Nayak (2001), Aankhen (2002), Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Hungama (2003), Hulchul (2004), Deewane Huye Paagal (2005), Garam Masala (2005), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Malamaal Weekly (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), Welcome (2007), One Two Three (2008), Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? (2010), OMG – Oh My God! (2012), Welcome Back (2015), Dharam Sankat Mein (2015), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Sanju (2018), Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi (2018) and Made in China (2019).

Rawal was born and brought up in Mumbai.[2] He is married to 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 is said to be one of the most versatile and fabulous actors in the Bollywood industry. He is also a devoted cricket fan and has been spotted many times in cricket matches.