Rajesh Sharma

Rajesh Sharma is a well-known figure in the Bollywood film industry, recognized for his roles as both a villain and a comic character. He began his cinematic journey in 1996 with the blockbuster film, "Maachis," and has also made significant contributions to Bengali cinema. Throughout the 2000s, Rajesh focused primarily on Bengali films before returning to Bollywood in 2005, where he starred in the acclaimed movie "Parineeta," directed by Pradeep Sarkar. His extensive career includes collaborations with notable directors and actors from both the Hindi and Bengali film industries, including Salman Khan, Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, and Rani Mukerji, among others.

Born into a middle-class Punjabi family in Ludhiana, Punjab, Rajesh is the son of the late Gurucharan Sharma and Amarjit Sharma. He completed his schooling at Bhawanipur Adarsh Hindi High School in Kolkata, later graduating from the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi. To enhance his proficiency in Bengali, he learned the language from neighbors and by watching local dramas at Muktangon.

At 17, Rajesh joined a drama academy, where he participated in various plays, including "Gudia Ki Ghar" and "Rangakarmi." His film career took off with "Maachis," directed by Gulzar and featuring an ensemble cast, which addressed the tragic events following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the ensuing Anti-Sikh riots. Despite needing a four-year break after his debut, he returned to the screen in 2000 with "Paromitar Ek Din," a film that garnered numerous awards and accolades within the national and international circuits.