Raj Babbar

Biography:

Raj Babbar, born on June 23, 1952, is a prominent Indian actor in both Hindi and Punjabi cinema, as well as a seasoned politician affiliated with the Indian National Congress. He has served as a three-time member of the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s Parliament) and a two-time member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house). Additionally, he held the position of state President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee.

In his early life, Babbar was born into a Punjabi family in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, with a family history rooted in Tundla, Firozabad, since the partition. He received his initial education at Mufid-E-Aam Inter College in Agra and later graduated from Agra College. He is an alumnus of the National School of Drama, completing his training in the Method school of acting in New Delhi, with a particular emphasis on Street Theatre.

Raj Babbar commenced his film career in Mumbai, acting alongside Reena Roy, a prominent actress of the time. He gained recognition for his role as a villainous rapist in the film “Insaf Ka Tarazu,” where he assaulted the character portrayed by Zeenat Aman. His association with B. R. Chopra’s production banner featured him in films like “Nikaah” and “Aaj Ki Aawaz.” In Punjabi cinema, he achieved success with performances in art house movies such as “Chann Pardesi,” “Marhi Da Deeva,” and “Long Da Lishkara,” which explored serious themes realistically. Babbar also played antagonist roles in several movies, including “Insaf Ka Tarazu,” “Dalaal,” and “Indian.”

Apart from his film career, Raj Babbar ventured into television, appearing in popular shows like “Mahabharat” and “Maharaja Ranjit Singh.” In the realm of politics, he began his political journey by joining Janata Dal in 1989, later moving to the Samajwadi Party and subsequently joining the Indian National Congress in 2008. He has been elected as a Member of Parliament multiple times and has also faced electoral defeats. Babbar has been involved in political controversies, including remarks on food affordability and comparisons to historical figures like Adolf Hitler.

On a personal note, Raj Babbar has been married to Nadira Zaheer and Smita Patil, with whom he has children. He is the founder of Babbar Films Pvt. Ltd. and has produced feature films and television series under this production banner, including “Karm Yodha” and “Kash Aap Hamare Hote.”