Birthday love: Paresh Rawal’s five funniest roles
A veteran actor, Paresh Rawal has done it all. Since making his debut in 1982 as a supporting artist, Rawal has gone on to receive wide recognition and critical acclaim for his portrayals as a villain and various character roles. But despite the diversity of films Rawal has done, he will still be probably be best remembered as one of the industry’s top comedians.
On the occasion of his 66th Birthday, BizAsiaLive.com looks back at some of his funniest roles.
‘Hera Pheri (2000)’
This list has to begin with ‘Hera Pheri’. And just the name of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte aka Babu Bhaiya is enough to bring that giggle on anyone’s face. To say that Rawal was the soul of this Priyadarshan film, and even its sequel ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ (2006), won’t be wrong. From trying to stop the two men — Raju and Shyam — from turning his house into a mess to running from the villains wearing a helmet in the climax, what Rawal has done, just cannot be forgotten. We can only thank him for giving us such an epic film and an iconic role.
‘Andaz Apna Apna’ (1994)
“Teja main hoon, mark idhar hai…” Only those who’ve lived through this cult film will know why this dialogue which looks too random to read is actually one of the most memorable scenes in the film. And as if one Rawal wasn’t enough to leave the audience in splits, he played a double role. When good man Ram Gopal Bajaj is replaced with his twin brother Shyam Gopal Bajaj aka Teja, who is a criminal, hell breaks loose, and that’s where all the confusion begins which only gives way to one of the most hilarious climax scenes in Bollywood.
‘Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge’ (2010)
He played the perfect uninvited guest who just refuses to go. From letting out wind everywhere and anywhere to forcing out the maid by following her around and criticising her work, Rawal was in his elements again. He becomes that annoying character that you love to hate, but when he leaves in the end, the audience is teary eyed. We all fell in love with this uncle, didn’t we?
‘OMG – Oh My God’ (2012)
One of the best works of Rawal, this one had him playing the protagonist, as producer Akshay Kumar preferred to take a back seat in the supporting role. A hard-core atheist who becomes victim of an earthquake, and ends up filing for damages incurred to his shop due to the natural calamity listed under ‘Act of God’. Rawal as Kanji Lal raises several questions about religion and superstitions in the society. It is one of his most hard hitting, yet light-hearted films.
‘Hungama’ (2003)
‘Hungama’ saw the veteran actor take on the role of a businessman, Radhesham Tiwari, and even though he moves to the city, there is little change that he brings about to his life when it comes to the one he was living in while in a village. None the less, apart from a character that has been chalked out well in terms of visuals, it was the simpler and smaller things that made this movie an absolute fun watch. Rawal’s sarcastic one liners are a must watch even today!
BizAsiaLive.com wishes Paresh Rawal a very happy birthday.