Paresh Rawal (Gujarati: પરેશ રાવળ) (b. May 30, 1950) is an Indian actor from Bollywood, Mumbai of Gujarati background.
Making his film debut in 1984, he mainly played supporting and villain roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Since 2000 he has mostly played comic roles.
Family and early life
Paresh was born in Paliad, Gujarat, India. 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 Aniruddh. Paresh Rawal is an alumunus from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics, Vile Parle, Mumbai.
Career
Rawal made his debut with the 1984 film Holi. He then appeared in over 100 films throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
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 also 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 not only national but international acclaim. He followed it with the film Tamaana (1996), in which he played the role of a hijra (person of "third" gender, typically male transgender) who raises a young, orphaned girl, played by Pooja Bhatt.
Paresh Rawal (centre) with Akshay Kumar (left) and Sunil Shetty in Hera PheriIn 2000, Rawal played a dim-witted and boisterous, but kind-hearted Marathi landlord Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the film Hera Pheri, who takes in Raju (Akshay Kumar) and Shyam (Sunil Shetty). Rawal's acting was a key reason for the major nationwide success the film received. For his performance, he won the Filmfare Best Comedian Award. He reprised his role as Baburao in the sequel to the film, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), which was also successful.
In 2002, Rawal portrayed one of three blind bank robbers in the hit film Aankhen. Rawal has since played many comedy roles in successful films including Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Garam Masala (2005), Deewane Huye Pagal (2005), Malamaal Weekly (2006), Golmaal (2006), Chup Chup Ke (2006) and Bhagam Bhag (2006). He is also produced the Hindi Serials including Zee TV's Teen Bahuraaniyaan, Sahara One's Main Aisi Kyunn Hoon.
Awards
National Film Awards
*1994: National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Woh Chokri & Sir
Filmfare Awards
*1993: Filmfare Best Villain Award for Sir
*2001: Filmfare Best Comedian Award for Hera Pheri
*2003: Filmfare Best Comedian Award for Awara Paagal Deewana
Star Screen Awards
*1996: Star Screen Award Best Supporting Actor for Raja
*2001: Star Screen Award for Best Comedian for Hera Pheri
*2003: Star Screen Award for Best Comedian for Awara Paagal Deewana
IIFA Awards
*2001: IIFA Best Comedian Award for Hera Pheri
Zee Cine Awards
*2003: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for Awara Paagal Deewana |
