Paresh Rawal, a multifaceted personality, is a celebrated actor, accomplished thespian, and respected politician. His remarkable career spans over a hundred films, showcasing his versatility in both comedic and villainous roles. This comprehensive profile delves into his life, career, and contributions to Indian cinema and politics.

Biography/Wiki

Born on May 30, 1955, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Paresh Rawal hails from a prestigious Nagar Brahmin Gujarati family. He completed his schooling from the Maharashtra SSC Board and graduated from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai in March 1974.

Physical Appearance

Standing at 5’8″ tall and weighing 78 kg, Paresh Rawal maintains a healthy physique with a 42″ chest, 34″ waist, and 13″ biceps. His dark brown eyes and well-maintained physique enhance his on-screen presence.

Family, Caste & Girlfriends

Paresh Rawal is married to Swaroop Sampat, an actress and former Miss India contestant (1979). The couple has two sons, Aditya and Anirudh.

Career

Post-graduation, Rawal began his journey in Gujarati theatre, gaining significant acclaim for his role in “Dear Father.” His Bollywood debut was in “Holi” (1984), followed by a supporting role in “Arjun” (1985). His breakthrough role came in “Naam” (1986), catapulting him into the limelight.

He rose to superstardom with “Hera Pheri” (2000), showcasing his exceptional comedic timing. This success led to numerous lead roles in films like “Aankhen” (2002), “Awara Paagal Deewana” (2002), and many more. He also made a significant mark in Telugu cinema with notable villainous roles.

Beyond acting, Rawal has ventured into film production, producing successful television serials and movies including “Oh My God” (2012) and the Narendra Modi biopic. He also made a significant contribution to the small screen through various television serials.

His role as Sunil Dutt in the Sanjay Dutt biopic “Sanju” further solidified his acting prowess. He entered politics in 2014, becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) from Ahmedabad East. In the same year, he received the prestigious Padma Shri award.

In 2020, he was appointed chairperson of the National School of Drama society (NSD).

Controversy

Arundhati Roy Tweet

In 2017, a tweet by Rawal sparked controversy, leading to accusations of advocating violence against women. The tweet referenced author Arundhati Roy in the context of a human shield incident.

‘Cook fish for Bengalis’ remark

In December 2022, remarks made during a Gujarat election campaign resulted in a summons from Kolkata Police. The comments, perceived as promoting hatred towards Bengalis, led to charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Paresh Rawal:

• He is a cricket enthusiast.
• He is fluent in Hindi, English, Gujarati, Telugu, and Marathi.
• His favorite movie is “Il Postino: The Postman.”
• His hobbies include reading, traveling, listening to music, and yoga.
• He admires directors Priyadarshan, Ketan Mehta, Rajkumar Santoshi, and Mahesh Bhatt.
• His favorite politician is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• He admires actors Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Amitabh Bachchan, Kajol, and Marlon Brando.
• His favorite book is “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Awards and Recognition