In Bollywood- a film industry thriving on churning out set images, few actors break mould with their consummate ease to perform any role with conviction. They fit into any character like a hand in glove. They don’t really have the chocolate looks or star-power but as actors, they are streets ahead of many such stars. In terms of screen-time, they might have smaller roles but often their roles leave the lasting impression compared to the so-called leading roles. Actors like Motilal, Balraj Sahani, Sanjeev Kumar, Om Puri and Anupam Kher have showed such talents over the years. Paresh Raval belongs to that august company.

Entering the films through small, insignificant roles but soon going on to establish his unique identity as a ‘non-image’ actor, Paresh has been a classy performer in Hindi cinema. The iron-man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Sardar; the mafia- don with a heart of gold in Sir; the lecherous brother-in-law in Chachi 420; the eternally confused Gurkha watchman in Haseena Maan Jaayegi; the irritatingly funny father in Judaai; the wrongly accused ‘terrorist’ in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani; the bespectacled landlord in Herapheri; the blind beggar-thief in Aankhein; the compassionate eunuch in Tamanna and the straight-from-Bihar businessman in Hungama - Paresh has shown exceptional versatility to etch some of the most memorable characters. He can make you cry and he can make you laugh. His body language - especially his face and his eyes and his dialogue delivery in various dialects makes him such a delight to watch.

Originally coming from stage, Paresh has kept his love for theatre in tact and often delivers stunning stage performances, whenever he can snatch time away from his busy film-schedule.