Harish Patel

Harish Patel (; born 5 July 1953) is an Indian character actor. He has appeared in a variety of Hindi films, but in recent years has begun to appear in American projects like reimagination of Four Weddings and a Funeral on Hulu and the MCU film Eternals. Although mainly associated with the stage, he has appeared in Indian and British films and television shows.

Early life and background Patel was born in Mumbai, Bombay State (now Maharashtra), India. He began performing at the age of seven, when he played male and female roles in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Acting career He made his film debut in Mandi directed by Shyam Benegal in 1983. From 1994 to 2008, Patel worked with the Indian theatre director Satyadev Dubey. In 1995, he joined the Indian National Theatre and appeared in the play Neela Kamra. His repertoire has included classical and modern Indian plays as well as plays by Western writers, e.g., Pinter's The Caretaker, Sartre's No Exit, Camus' Cross Purpose, Ionesco's The Lesson, and Mrozek's Vatzlav.

In the spring of 2007, Patel took the lead role of Eeshwar Dutt in Rafta, Rafta..., a comedy written by Ayub Khan-Din and directed by Nicholas Hytner at the National Theatre in London to critical acclaim and sellout audiences.

His credits include The Buddha of Suburbia, China Gate, Mr India and Run Fatboy Run. In 2009 he appeared in Coronation Street playing the role of Umed, Dev Alahan's uncle. Patel also appeared in Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny, The Boy in the Dress and Billionaire Boy, the television film adaptations of children's books by David Walliams. He plays shopkeeper Raj in all the films, although they are set in different places.

His acting career has taken him all over India, and he has performed in the United Kingdom and abroad, in the United States and Dubai among other countries. Patel is a life member of the Cine & TV Artists Association of India.

He is well known for his catchphrase "gayee bhains paanee mein" (the buffalo entered the water), in the movie Mr. India. Additionally, he garnered international recognition after starring in Marvel Studios' Eternals as Karun. When interviewed regarding the film, Harish admitted to never watching a Marvel film before or even seeing Angelina Jolie or Salma Hayek films before.

Filmography Film + Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1967 Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti Child in classroom Uncredited role 1983 Mandi Policeman 1984 Utsav Maitrey 1985 Vivek Aghaat Laxman / Chotelai brother Maa Kasam 1986 Mirch Masala Pandit / The priest 1987 Dacait Tolaram Mr. India Roopchand Cameo appearance Susman Venkatesh 1988 Rihaee Narrator / Raojibhai Qatil Havaldar Hamid Rashid Khan 1989 Billoo Badshah Tikamdas Kundandas Mirchandani Maine Pyar Kiya Rahim chacha 1990 Ek Number Ka Chor Policeman Police Public CBI Assistant Ravi Pratibandh Katkar Credited as Hrsh Patel Thanedaar Hawaldar Bechare 1991 Ramgarh Ke Sholay Inspector Himmat Singh Izzat Sultan First Love Letter Bahadur Singh Great Target Aag Laga Do Sawan Ko 1992 Shola Aur Shabnam Velji Panaah Lala Ranchod Sarphira Cop Bol Radha Bol Narag 1993 Aankhen Monto Gurudev Inspector Sainik Guddi's father 15th August Secretary to Nagpal Bedardi Baburam Chahoonga Main Tujhe Main Phir Aaoongi 1994 Andaz Home Minister Uncredited role Jai Kishen Putarmal Mohra Kranti KumarFauj Anokhe Lal Andaz Apna Apna Sevaram Mr. Azaad Havaldar Khare Uncredited role Ikke Pe Ikka Bajrangi Paramaatma Munshi Yuhi Kabhi Kapoor 1995 Aaj Ka Maseeha God and Gun Man at Railway Crossing Ravan Raaj: A True Story Shilpa's Father Taaqat Barsaat Damru 'Danny' Akele Hum Akele Tum Amarji Ab Insaf Hoga Bansi Vartmaan 1996 Halo Rajkumar Tu Chor Main Sipahi Home Minister Mafia Kalyanji Bhai Matke Loafer Pandit Bhishma Havaldar Ramdas Dil Tera Diwana Laxminarayan Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love Doctor Mani Rangbaaz Ghatak: Lethal Katya's Brother-In-Law Rakshak Rokde Ram Aur Shyam Money Lender Angaara Dhaniram Koilewala 1997 Aar Ya Paar Gupta Ziddi Sanam Balwant Sinha My Son the Fanatic Fizzy Do Ankhen Barah Hath Keshav Bapu Darwaza Tarazu Appa Rao's attorney Gupt: The Hidden Truth Phoolchand Udaan DCP Rawat Uncredited role Loha Salim Chikna Aflatoon Police Commissioner Mrityudand MLA Durga Pandey Suraj Charandas 1998 Purani Kabar Vinashak - Destroyer Convict Salaakhen Bhutaneshwar Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai Mr. Sinha (Komal's uncle) Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha Rahul & Sanjana's Boss Maut Main Solah Baras Ki Mofatlal Gunda Ibu Hatela Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate Dr. Narmada Prasad China Gate Devrug villager 1999 Daag: The Fire Bihari Kaala Samrajya Benaam Bankhelal Maa Kasam Dillagi 2000 Baaghi Aurat Mela Chandulal Popatlal Badal Daya Shanker Krodh Rambhau Sabse Bada Be-Imaan Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke Sharan Grewal Billa No. 786 2001 Shola Aur Barood Maut Ka Khel Zubeidaa Nandlal Seth Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat Hassubhai Master Superintendent of Police Roshan Lal 2002 Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein Ghaav: The Wound Mamaji (Jog's maternal uncle) 2003 Lady James Bond Love at Times Square Natvar Khanjar Pammi's maternal uncle Calcutta Mail Bokshu – The Myth 2004 Mein Bikaaoo: On Sale Pati Ho To Aisa Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum Hatya Chedulal Mirchi: It's Hot Ilyas Khan Nevermind Nirvana Dr. Arjun Mehta 2005 Chicken Tikka Masala Harishbhai Patel Pyaar Mein Twist Raj Loc 2006 Quarter Life Crisis Neil's Doctor Vidhyaarthi: The Power of Students Teacher Sharma 2007 Khallas: The Beginning of End Chhota Shetty Run Fatboy Run Mr. Goshdashtidar 2009 Today's Special Hakim 2012 All in Good Time Eeshwar Keith Lemon: The Film Kushvinder 2013 Jadoo Raja Chandana 2017 Lies We Tell Haji 2021 Eternals Karun Patel 2023 Companion Amit Oza 2024 A Nice Indian Boy Archit Gavaskar

Television + Year Title Role Notes 1986 Malgudi Days Gopinath / Photographer 2 episodes Hum Hindustani Katha Sagar 1987 Chunni Ghasita Ram 1987–1988 Aa Bail Muje Maar 1988 Wagle Ki Duniya Joshi Episode: "Landlord" 1988–1989 Mahanagar Bharat Ek Khoj Lala Makhanlal, Todarmal, Buddhist Monk, Draha, Nai 5 episodes 1990–1991 Agar Aisa Ho To 1992 Talaash 1993 The Buddha of Suburbia Changez Mini-series, 3 episodes 1994–1995 Tajurbe 1994–2000 Zara Hatke Zara Bachke 2000 Noorjahan 2009 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Mr. Patel 3 episodes Coronation Street Umed Alahan 42 episodes 2010 Nevermind Nirvana Dr. Arjun Mattoo TV film 2011 My Freakin' Family Pradip 2012 Mr Stink Raj 2013 Gangsta Granny 2014 Samvidhaan: The Making of the Constitution of India M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar Mini-series; episode: "Independent India: Righting Fundamental Wrongs with Fundamental Rights" The Driver Amjad 3 episodes Mapp & Lucia Guru Episode: "Episode #1.2" The Boy in the Dress Raj TV film 2016 Billionaire Boy 2017 Ratburger 2018 Grandpa's Great Escape The Midnight Gang 2019 Four Weddings and a Funeral Haroon Khan Main role, mini-series 2022 Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! Raj TV film