We all know him as the hilarious, dhoti-clad Baburao Ganpatrao Apte—the soul of Hera Pheri and the face of desi meme culture. But what if we told you that Paresh Rawal, Bollywood’s comic genius, has also played some of the most spine-chilling villains on screen? Yes, the same man who made us laugh till we cried has also made us shiver in our seats.
While the buzz around Hera Pheri 3 brings Baburao back into the spotlight, let’s not forget Rawal’s darker side—the one that dabbled in deceit, power, and psychological warfare. His villainous roles may be less talked about, but they’re no less iconic. Here’s a throwback to the times when Baburao ditched the laughs for pure dhamaka.
1. Table No. 21 – The Game Master of Revenge
Released in 2013, Table No. 21 was a twisted game of truth and consequences. Paresh Rawal played the eerie, calculated game host—a man orchestrating a psychological trap to avenge his son’s death. As the suave but sinister mastermind, Rawal’s performance left a lasting chill. He didn’t shout. He didn’t scream. He just controlled—with eerie calm and unnerving precision.
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2. Aakrosh – Raw and Ruthless
In the gritty 2010 social thriller Aakrosh, Rawal shed all traces of warmth to embody a corrupt and terrifying antagonist. Sharing screen space with Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna, and Bipasha Basu, he delivered a performance so intense, it became hard to imagine this was the same man who once argued about “khaali cylinder.” His character oozed power, arrogance, and danger—serving pure villain vibes with no filter.
3. Ram Lakhan – The Old-School Baddie
Throwback to 1989, when Subhash Ghai’s Ram Lakhan roared at the box office. Amidst a galaxy of stars like Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, and Dimple Kapadia, Paresh Rawal stood tall as Shivnath—a villain with fire in his eyes and betrayal in his blood. Back when Bollywood villains came with booming laughs and dramatic dialogues, Rawal nailed the ‘bad guy’ formula like a pro.
4. King Uncle – Dark in a Family Drama
Yes, the same King Uncle that gave us warm fuzzy family feels also featured Paresh Rawal in a grim role. Playing Pratap, he was cunning, cold, and manipulative—completely at odds with the heartwarming tone of the film. With stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Jackie Shroff, and Nagma leading the cast, Rawal still managed to stand out. Even in a film designed to comfort, he brought just the right amount of menace.
5. Baazi – The Battle with Aamir Khan
In the 1995 action-thriller Baazi, Aamir Khan took on the challenge of unmasking a villain who was smarter than he looked. And that villain? You guessed it—Paresh Rawal. With Mamta Kulkarni joining the high-octane drama, Rawal’s character added the punchy obstacles and deadly mind games that made the film a gripping watch. He was cunning, unpredictable, and utterly fearless—until he finally met his match.
More Than Just a Laugh Riot
While the world continues to chant “yeh Baburao ka style hai,” there’s no denying that Paresh Rawal has mastered every shade of cinema—be it slapstick comedy, emotional depth, or cold-blooded villainy. From family entertainers to psychological thrillers, he’s proven time and again that he’s not just a comic legend but a complete powerhouse of talent.
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So the next time you rewatch Hera Pheri, remember: behind that iconic dhoti and cracked specs is a man who once played villains you wouldn’t dare mess with. Now that’s range.
