Few film characters make you laugh just by remembering their name, but Paresh Rawal’s Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from Hera Pheri is one of them. Behind that comic genius, though, is a man who has also delivered award-winning dramatic performances, produced films, and served as a Member of Parliament, tracing his journey from the Gujarati stage to the Lok Sabha and back to the big screen.
Born: 30 May 1955 · Age: 69 (as of 2024) · Occupation: Actor, film producer, politician · Spouse: Swaroop Rawal · Children: 2 · Years active: 1984–present
Quick snapshot
- Born 30 May 1955 in Mumbai, Gujarat family (National School of Drama Bengaluru Centre)
- Married to Swaroop Sampat since 1987 (FilmiBeat biography)
- Two sons: Aditya and Anirudh (FilmiBeat biography)
- BJP MP from Ahmedabad East 2014–2019 (IMDb filmography)
- Exact net worth – estimates range from $13 million to $20 million; height listed as 5 ft 8 in but unconfirmed (Starunbox profile)
- Religion – assumed Hindu, not explicitly stated in authoritative sources (Starunbox profile)
- Early stage career details before 1972 are sparse (Starunbox profile)
- Birth year is contested (some sources say 1950 or 1951) (Starunbox profile)
- Exact number of films is unclear (estimates vary) (Starunbox profile)
- 1984 – Film debut in Ahankaar (FilmiBeat biography)
- 1993 – National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Sir (Wikipedia biography)
- 2000 – Breakthrough comedy Hera Pheri (FilmiBeat biography)
- 2014 – Elected to Lok Sabha (FilmiBeat biography)
- Return to full-time acting after 2019 (Wikipedia biography)
Ten facts that define Paresh Rawal’s identity, carefully verified across multiple sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paresh Rawal |
| Date of Birth | 30 May 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Spouse | Swaroop Rawal |
| Children | Aditya Rawal, Aryan Rawal |
| Education | Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics |
| Occupation | Actor, film producer, politician |
| Years Active | 1984–present |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2022), National Film Award, Filmfare Awards |
Who is Paresh Rawal?
Early life and education
- Born on 30 May 1955 in Mumbai into a Gujarati family, graduated from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, and began performing on stage in 1972 in Gujarati and Hindi theatre (National School of Drama Bengaluru Centre)
His early stage work gave him the versatility that later defined his screen career. The National School of Drama Bengaluru Centre (a government-funded theatre institute) notes that he started acting long before his film debut, cutting his teeth in Gujarati and Hindi plays.
Political career
- Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (OneIndia profile)
- Won the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Ahmedabad East on a BJP ticket (IMDb filmography)
- Served as MP until 2019; did not contest the 2019 election
- In 2014, Rawal was the richest candidate in Gujarat with declared family assets of ₹79.40 crore (Times of India report)
The implication: Rawal’s political chapter was short but financially substantial. His wealth declaration made headlines, but his parliamentary work focused on arts and culture rather than high-profile legislation.
A man who made millions laugh on screen became one of the wealthiest MPs in Gujarat, yet his political career was brief and low-key – a reminder that comedy and public service can coexist but rarely thrive simultaneously.
What are Paresh Rawal’s most famous movies?
Iconic comedy roles
- Hera Pheri (2000) – cult classic comedy (IMDb filmography)
- Hungama (2003) – ensemble comedy
- Phir Hera Pheri (2006) – sequel to the hit
- Dhamaal (2007) – comedy adventure
Dramatic performances
- Sir (1993) – won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (IMDb filmography)
- Sardar (1993) – portrayal of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- The Lunchbox (2013) – critically acclaimed drama
- Oh My God! (2012) – satirical drama
Notable films by genre
- Horror-comedy: Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
- Thriller: A Wednesday! (2008) – widely acclaimed (IMDb filmography)
- Gujarati cinema: produced and acted in Kevi Rite Jaish (2012)
- Telugu and Tamil films: appeared in several regional productions
The pattern: Rawal’s versatility allowed him to excel in both comedy and drama, securing his legacy across multiple film industries.
What is Paresh Rawal’s net worth?
Estimated earnings
- Net worth estimated at $15–20 million (₹120–160 crore) as of 2024 (Starunbox profile)
- In 2014, declared family assets of ₹79.40 crore (Times of India report)
Sources of income
- Acting fees and film production
- Endorsements and brand partnerships
- Real estate investments
- Political salary (2014–2019)
The catch: net worth figures vary widely because no single authoritative source tracks his earnings post-2019. The Times of India’s 2014 affidavit report is the only verified public disclosure.
What is Paresh Rawal’s family background?
Wife and marriage
- Married to actress Swaroop Sampat (known as Swaroop Rawal) since 1987 (FilmiBeat biography)
- Swaroop is a former actress and now a life coach and educator
Children
- Aditya Rawal – actor, debuted in Bamfaad (2020)
- Anirudh Rawal (also referred to as Aryan Rawal) – works behind the scenes in film production
Parents and siblings
- Father was a government employee; mother a homemaker (National School of Drama Bengaluru Centre)
- Gujarati family originally from Mumbai
Why this matters: the family’s connection to the arts runs deep – both sons have followed their father into the film industry, while Swaroop Rawal has built a parallel career in education.
How old is Paresh Rawal?
Date of birth and age calculation
- Born 30 May 1955 (National School of Drama Bengaluru Centre)
- Age: 69 years old as of 2024
- Some sources list 1950 or 1951, but the National School of Drama (tier 1) and Wikipedia (tier 2) agree on 1955
Milestones over the decades
- 1972 – stage debut at age 17
- 1984 – film debut at 29
- 1993 – National Film Award at 38
- 2000 – Hera Pheri at 45
- 2014 – elected MP at 59
- 2022 – Padma Shri at 66
The trade-off: Rawal’s most productive years were in his 40s and 50s, a trajectory that allowed him to transition from character actor to political figure without losing his fan base.
Timeline
- – Born in Mumbai (National School of Drama Bengaluru Centre)
- – Film debut in Ahankaar (FilmiBeat biography)
- – Won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Sir (Wikipedia biography)
- – Starred in the cult comedy Hera Pheri
- – Released A Wednesday! (and Oh My God! in 2009)
- – Elected to Lok Sabha from Ahmedabad East on BJP ticket (OneIndia profile)
- – Completed term as MP and returned to full-time acting
- – Awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 30 May 1955
- Spouse: Swaroop Rawal
- Children: 2 sons
- Political affiliation: BJP, MP 2014-2019
- Padma Shri award (2022)
- National Film Award (1993)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary widely)
- Height (not officially listed on Wikipedia, reported as 5’9″ but unconfirmed)
- Religion (assumed Hindu but not explicitly stated in authoritative sources)
- Details of early stage career before films
- Birth year is contested (some sources say 1950 or 1951)
- Exact number of films is unclear (estimates vary)
The implication: Despite many verified details, gaps in net worth, height, and early career leave room for speculation.
Quotes
Paresh Rawal is an actor, comedian, film producer, politician, and former Member of Parliament.
– National School of Drama Bengaluru Centre
Paresh Rawal’s family wealth was Rs 79.40 crores, making him the richest contestant in Gujarat.
– Times of India report
From stage to screen to parliament, Rawal’s journey shows that versatility – not a single skill – is what builds a lasting public career. For fans of Indian cinema, the choice is clear: celebrate his comedy, respect his dramatic range, and watch for his next act, because at 69 he shows no signs of slowing down.
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Paresh Rawal’s versatility in Bollywood is legendary, and one can explore career highlights of Paresh Rawal to understand his full trajectory in the industry.
Frequently asked questions
Did Paresh Rawal win a National Award?
Yes, he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1993 for the film Sir.
What is Paresh Rawal’s caste?
He belongs to a Gujarati family; his caste is not officially documented in authoritative sources.
Is Paresh Rawal a member of BJP?
Yes, he is associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party and served as its MP from Ahmedabad East from 2014 to 2019.
What languages does Paresh Rawal speak?
He speaks Hindi, Gujarati, and English, and has acted in Telugu and Tamil films.
How many movies has Paresh Rawal acted in?
He has appeared in over 100 films across Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, and Tamil cinema.
Which was Paresh Rawal’s first movie?
His film debut was in 1984 with Ahankaar.
What is Paresh Rawal’s education qualification?
He graduated from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai.
Does Paresh Rawal have a son who is also an actor?
Yes, his elder son Aditya Rawal is an actor who debuted in the 2020 film Bamfaad.
Rawal’s frequent appearances in diverse roles keep his career dynamic, even as he enters his 70s.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Northern Focus, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across Canada.