Paresh Rawal

Paresh Rawal is an Indian actor known for his work in Hindi and Gujarati cinema and theatre, and a former Member of Parliament. Born on 30 May 1955 in Bombay (now Mumbai), he made his film debut with Arjun (1985) and became one of the industry's most versatile character actors across four decades, playing villains, supporting parts and comic leads. He is best remembered as Baburao in Hera Pheri (2000), and for films such as Andaz Apna Apna, OMG – Oh My God!, Sanju and Uri: The Surgical Strike. He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1994, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014, and served as a BJP MP from Ahmedabad East from 2014 to 2019. In Sarfira (2024) he plays Paresh Goswami.

Paresh Rawal is an Indian actor known for his work across Hindi and Gujarati cinema and theatre, as well as a former Member of Parliament. Over four decades he has moved between menacing villains, sharp supporting parts and beloved comic roles, and is most widely recognised as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from Hera Pheri (2000). A National Film Award winner and Padma Shri recipient, he appears in Sarfira (2024) as Paresh Goswami.

Paresh Rawal was born on 30 May 1955 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. He graduated in commerce from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai. Drawn to the stage while still young, he performed extensively in Gujarati theatre, an experience that shaped his range as a character actor.

He is married to actress and former Miss India Swaroop Sampat, whom he wed in 1987. The couple have two sons, Aditya and Anirudh; Aditya is also an actor and writer.

Paresh Rawal has been married to actress Swaroop Sampat since 1987. Sampat won the Miss India title in 1979 and is a well-known actress in her own right. The couple are among the film industry's long-married pairs and have kept a relatively private family life; there are no credible reports of affairs.

Rawal made his film debut with Arjun (1985) and drew early notice in Naam (1986). Through the late 1980s and 1990s he became one of Hindi cinema's most in-demand character actors, playing antagonists and supporting roles in films such as Shiva (1990), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Mohra (1994) and China Gate (1998).

His role as Baburao in Hera Pheri (2000) became one of his most loved performances and led to the sequel Phir Hera Pheri (2006). He appeared in a long line of comedies and dramas including Nayak (2001), Aankhen (2002) and OMG – Oh My God! (2012).

His later films include Sanju (2018), Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) and Sarfira (2024). He served as a Member of Parliament from Ahmedabad East (2014–2019) for the BJP, and in 2020 was appointed chairperson of the National School of Drama Society.

Paresh Rawal is one of Hindi cinema's most established character actors, with earnings from a four-decade film career, theatre and television production. His net worth has been reported by third-party sites at around ₹79 crore; this figure is an estimate and has not been officially confirmed by the actor.

During the 2022 Gujarat election campaign, Rawal drew criticism for remarks he made about migrants; a complaint was filed and Kolkata Police summoned him over the comments. He later expressed regret for the way the statement was received. Aside from occasional political controversy, his acting career has been largely free of scandal.