Sh. Paresh Rawal Chairman, NSD

An actor par excellence, Shri Paresh Rawal was born in 1955 in Mumbai in a Gujrati family. He is an actor, comedian, film producer, politician and a Member of Parliament. Completed his studies from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai, Shri Rawal started performing on stage in 1972 in Gujarati and Hindi. He has performed more than 150 plays and about 7000 performances in India and in countries like the USA, the UK, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Europe and the Far East. He also acted with and directed Naseeruddin Shah in the stage version of "Slueth". Worked under the direction of Ketan Mehta in a stage version of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo"s Nest". Besides, he performed 50 shows in 52 days of the play "Kisan vs Kanhaiya" (stage version of film OMG) in the USA.

Shri Rawal made his debut in films in 1985 with "Arjun" in a supporting role. It was the 1986 blockbuster film "Naam" that established him as an actor with great talent. He then appeared in over 250 films in Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil and other languages.  His most famous films are "Sir", "Wo Chhokri", "Hera Pheri", "OMG", "Hungama" "Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!", "Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?", "Sardar", "Sanju", "Aankhen" among others.

Shri Rawal conferred with Padamashri in 2014 by the Govt. of India for his contributions to the entertainment industry and received Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) from Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat in the same year. He has also been awarded The P. L. Despande Award for his contribution to theatre and films in 2013; Dinnanath Mangeshkar Award bestowed by Lata Mangeshkar for his contribution to theatre and films in 2008; Rotary award for Excellence in Profession by Rotary Club, Mumbai South in 1995. He also won Best Actor award for the plays "Tokhaar" in 1977 and "Veth Chetu Moth" in 1980 in the prestigious Gujarat State Drama Competitions.

As far as awards for the films are concerned, he has won about 21 awards and 28 nominations for different films till now. He received National Award for "Sir" (1993) and "Wo Chhokri" (1994). Besides, he has been awarded Best Comic Actor for "Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?" (2010), "Hera Pheri" (2000), "Hungama" (2003), "Awara Paagal Deewana" (2002) by Apsara Film Producers Guild, International Indian Film Academy, Bollywood Awards, Sansui Viewer"s Choice Awards, Screen Awards, Zee Cine Awards respectively; Best Actor Award for "Sardar" (1993) in Bengal Film Journalists" Award; Best Performance by an Actor in a Negative Role for "Sir" (1993) in Film fare Awards; Best Supporting Actor for "Raja"  (1995) in Screen Awards; and Best Actor in Comedy Role (in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 2006) in Star Gold Award for his contribution as an actor in different films.