Surendra Pal, a prominent figure in Indian cinema and television, is renowned for his diverse roles. His career spans decades, showcasing his versatility and impact on the entertainment industry.
Wiki/Biography
Surendra Pal was born on Friday, September 25, 1953 (age 66 as of 2019) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He spent his formative years in Lucknow, where his father served as a DSP in the Uttar Pradesh Police. He completed his schooling through the UP Board. Despite his father’s wish for him to join the Indian Army or police force, Pal harbored a passion for acting. After graduating from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, he moved to Mumbai in 1980 at the age of twenty-four, venturing into the film industry with limited knowledge of its workings.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 6′ 2″
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper (semi-bald)
Family & Caste
While born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, his ancestry traces back to Pali, Rajasthan.
Parents & Siblings: His father was a DSP in the Uttar Pradesh Police. He has five older brothers, two of whom joined the Indian Army, and another who joined the police service.
Relationships, Wife & Children
Surendra Pal married Barkha Sharma Singh in 1996. They had three children – two sons and a daughter. The marriage ended in divorce in 2002, with all three children residing with him in Mumbai.
His elder son, Shivam Singh, is a television anchor; his younger son, Shubham Singh, is a commerce graduate from Delhi University. His daughter, Shivangi Singh, manages a gym at a five-star hotel in Goa.
Career
Film
He debuted in the 1981 Hindi film Shama (produced by Kader Khan), portraying a negative role alongside Shabana Azmi and Girish Karnad. Subsequent roles included appearances in Grahasti (1984) with Ashok Kumar, and J. P. Dutta’s Ghulami (1985), where he played ‘Daku Suraj Bhan’. His film career boasts over 40 films, with notable roles in Bollywood hits such as Khuda Gawah (1992), Lakshya (2004), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Airlift (2016), and Rangoon (2017). He also expanded his career into regional cinema, making his Malayalam debut with Prayikkara Pappan (1995) and his Tamil debut with Mr. Romeo (1996). He even ventured into Bhojpuri cinema in 2010 with Aisan Pyar Se Dekhbu T Pyar Ho Jai and produced several Rajasthani films.
Television
His television debut in B. R. Chopra’s Mahabharat (1988) as Guru Dronacharya catapulted him to widespread recognition. The success of Mahabharat led to numerous offers, resulting in memorable performances in shows like Chanakya (1991), The Zee Horror Show (1995), Shaktimaan (1997), Shagun (2001), Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki Season 2 (2005), and Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev (2011).
Controversy
In 2019, Cobrapost implicated him in paid promotions for political parties. He reportedly agreed to a contract involving social media promotions for the BJP.
Favourite Things
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| Director | Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Vishal Bhardwaj |
| Travel Destination | Rajasthan |
| Music Genre | Rajasthani Folk |
| Politician(s) | Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi |
Facts & Trivia
- His full name is Surendra Pal Singh, and his nickname is ‘Bhaiya’.
- He often wears a wig due to being semi-bald.
- He was 26 when cast as Dronacharya in Mahabharat.
- He was initially hesitant about the Mahabharat role, fearing typecasting.
- After Mahabharat, he waited 23 years before taking another mythological role (Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev).
- Tamraj Kilvish’s face was revealed after 50 episodes of Shaktimaan.
- He is a BJP supporter and actively campaigns for the party.
- He is a dog lover and owns a pet Poodle named “Kaju”.
- He enjoys playing Polo.
