# Paresh Ganatra

Paresh Ganatra (born 19 February 1965) is an Indian television, stage and film actor. He is known for his role as Praveen Thakkar in the Star Plus comedy series Baa Bahu Aur Baby (2005–2010), SAB TV's sitcom Chidiya Ghar and films like No Entry (2005), Rowdy Rathore (2012) amongst others.

## Early life and education

Paresh Ganatra was born on 19 February 1965 in a Gujarati household in Mumbai, India, where was brought up. He did his schooling from Lions Juhu High School in 1981. Thereafter he graduated from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics in 1986, and joined Management studies at Somaiya College, Mumbai.

## Career

Participating in theatre while in still college, he started his acting career with Gujarati theatre in the city from 1984 to 1992. He made his film debut with a role in Mann in 1999. He acted in TV series Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka, a Colonial Cousins music video, TV commercials (including Symphony Air Coolers, Tata Phones, Coffee Bite, LG TV, Nerolac, Dabur and McDonald's), when he reached fame with the 2002 multi-star hit film Aankhen.
From then on, he has been active in Bollywood. He is known for his comic roles in comedic films, including No Entry, Welcome, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai and Delhi Belly amongst others. Rowdy Rathore, in which Paresh played a supporting role with Akshay Kumar, became a milestone for him as it succeeded at the box office. He worked in the comedy film, Bol Bachchan, starring Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin Thottumkal, Prachi Desai and directed by Rohit Shetty.

## Filmography

* Mann (1999)
* Kai Zhala (2001)
* Aankhen (2002)
* No Entry (2005)
* Dil Diya Hai (2006)
* Welcome (2007)
* Money Hai Toh Honey Hai (2008)
* Khallballi: Fun Unlimited (2008)
* Khichdi: The Movie (2010)
* No Problem (2010)
* Delhi Belly (2011)
* Rowdy Rathore (2012)
* Main Krishna Hoon (2013)
* Shree (2013)
* Ramaiya Vastavaiya (2013)
* Shelter Skelter (2013)
* Freaky Ali (2016)
* Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir se (2018)
* Dabangg 3 (2019)
* Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukistan (2023)
As a Producer
* Threesome (2018)

### Television

| Year | Serial | Role | Notes |
| 1999–2002 | Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka | | |
| 2005–2010 | Baa Bahoo Aur Baby | Praveen Thakkar | |
| 2008–2009 | Jasuben Jayantilaal Joshi Ki Joint Family | Purushottam Thakkar | |
| 2009–2010 | Comedy Circus | Contestant | |
| 2009 | Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo | Natwarlal | |
| 2011–2017 | Chidiya Ghar | Ticket Collector Ghotak Narayan | |
| 2013–2016 | Comedy Nights with Kapil | Various characters | |
| 2014 | Samvidhaan: The Making of the Constitution of India | Prof. K. T. Shah | |
| 2016–2017 | The Kapil Sharma Show | Various characters | |
| 2018 | Khichdi | Advocate | Episodic role |
| 2019–2020 | Bhakharwadi | Mahendra Thakkar | |
| 2020 | Scam 1992 | Maheshwari | |
| 2022 | The Great Weddings of Munnes | Phatte Phupha | |
| 2023 | Happy Family: Conditions Apply | Dr. Jatin Kumar | |
| 2024 | Aapka Apna Zakir | Himself | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Awards | Category | Work | Result |
| 2007 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor – Male | Baa Bahoo Aur Baby | Won |
| 2012 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Comic Role | Chidiya Ghar | Nominated |
| 2015 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Comedy) | Chidiya Ghar | Nominated |