Paresh Rawal-Bollywoods top comedian

By: Sunil Noronha

Paresh Rawal is unquestionably one of the kings of Indian Comedy apart one hell of an actor. His antics on the screen are unmatched by the comedians of today. He has played other roles with equal excellence showing his versatility in the field. He has played varied roles ranging from Vellji Bhai in Sir to Baburao in Phir Hera Pheri, which propelled him to the heights of his fame. He showed equal excellence in comedy, serious and villainous roles.

He was born in the 30th of May, 1950. His first roles were on stages of Gujarati plays. His first movie was Dushmanon Ka Dushman in 1984. He has a degree of Commerce from Monjee Institute of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai. In school and college, he was lucky to have people who recognised that in him and encouraged him to pursue it like his school and college principals who encouraged him to go and act instead of attending class if he didn't want to. His first on stage role in a play was with Indian National Theatres production-Vhent Chetu Maut (Death Is Just A Span Away).

His inspiration to "take the stage" onscreen came with his idolisation of then Bollywood bigtimers Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri. He tried it but didn't succeed because only people who enough who had star power got such roles. He tried meeting up with directors but that didn't work either. On the verge of giving up, he went back to theatre and met Rahul Rawail who gave him his first breaks. He made his debut in Arjun.

Awaiting the world is Baburao, the phenomenal character in Phir Hera Pheri, which has had people cracking up in the first instalment and promises to deliver in the second one.

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