Paresh Rawal, Indian actor, producer, and politician

Paresh Rawal (born 30 May 1955) is an Indian actor, comedian, film producer and politician known for his works notably in Hindi films. He is the recipient of various accolades. In 1994, he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in the films Woh Chokri and Sir. For the latter, he received his first Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role. 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.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).Rawal then gained immense universal acclaim with comedy and few intense supporting roles in such Hindi films as Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Chachi 420 (1997), Hera Pheri (2000), Nayak (2001), Aankhen (2002), Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Hungama (2003), Hulchul (2004), Garam Masala (2005), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Golmaal (2006), Chup Chup Ke (2006), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Malamaal Weekly (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), Welcome (2007), One Two Three (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), Uri (2019), Toofaan (2021) and Sharmaji Namkeen (2022). His most remembered role is of the iconic Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the cult classic Hera Pheri comedy franchise, and he also attained widespread praise for Tamil film Soorarai Pottru (2020) and Marathi film.

He has received widespread critical acclaim and won many awards for his performance as Baburao in the Hera Pheri series.