Raj Babbar

Raj Babbar (born 23 June 1952) is an Indian Hindi and Punjabi film actor and politician belonging to Indian National Congress. He is a three-time member of the Lok Sabha and a two-time member of the Rajya Sabha. He was the state President of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee.

Early life and education Babbar was born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, into a Punjabi Hindu family on 23 June 1952. His family had settled in Tundla after the partition of India. Their ancestral roots lie in Jalalpur Jattan, a city now located in the Gujrat District of Punjab in modern-day Pakistan.

He did his initial schooling from Mufid-E-Aam Inter college, Agra. He is an alumnus of the 1975 class of the National School of Drama (NSD) and graduate from Agra College.

Acting career

Films

Hindi He trained in the method school of acting at the NSD, which also involved street theatre. After training in New Delhi, he moved to Bombay and started his film career with Reena Roy, one of the most well-known actresses of the 1970s. He gained notoriety for his horrific portrayal of a rapist in B. R. Chopra's Insaf Ka Tarazu, in which he assaulted the heroine Bharti Saxena, played by Zeenat Aman and her sister Neeta, played by Padmini Kolhapure and in the end, is shot and killed by Bharti. He then became a consistent feature of the B. R. Chopra banner and appeared in Nikaah with Deepak Parashar and Salma Agha and in with Smita Patil.

Punjabi He also achieved success in Punjabi cinema as he gave remarkable performances in Chann Pardesi (1980), Marhi Da Deeva (1989), and Long Da Lishkara (1983). He also appeared in the films like Aasra Pyar Da (1983), Mahaul Theek Hai (1999), Shaheed Uddham Singh (1999), Yaaran Naal Baharan (2005), Ek Jind Ek Jaan (2006), Apni Boli Apna Des (2009) and Tera Mera Ki Rishta (2009). He appeared in several films as a villain in Hindi-language films like Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), Saazish (1988), Aankhen (1993), Dalaal (1993), The Gambler (1995), (1994), Yaarana (1995), Barsaat (1995), Ziddi (1997), Gundagardi (1997), Daag: The Fire (1999), Indian (2001).

Television series He has also appeared on television. He appeared in the introductory episodes of the famous Indian TV series Mahabharat, as King Bharat, Bahadur Shah Zafar (1986) as Akbar, alongside debutant Juhi Chawla, and also in his home production; Maharaja Ranjit Singh (2010), all telecast on Doordarshan. In 2014 and 2015, he appeared in the serial telecast on Life OK; Pukaar - Call For The Hero, directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, with Rannvijay Singh, Adah Sharma and Shubhangi Latkar.

Political career Raj Babbar entered politics by joining Janata Dal in 1989, which was led by V. P. Singh.

From 1994 to 1999 he was a member of the Rajya Sabha. He was re-elected in the 14th Lok Sabha elections for his second term in 2004. He was suspended from Samajwadi Party in 2006. Later he joined Indian National Congress in 2008 and was elected for his fourth term as Member of Parliament in 2009, by defeating Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav and daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh Yadav. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from Ghaziabad and lost to General V. K. Singh. He was appointed as the president of Uttar Pradesh congress committee (UPCC), but in 2019 elections he couldn't even manage to save his own seat and lost to Rajkumar Chahar of the Bharatiya Janata Party by a huge margin of 4,95,065 votes.

Raj Babbar, in the capacity of Congress spokesman, created controversy in 2013, by stating that Rs.12 is sufficient for a common man to get a full meal in Mumbai, which drew severe criticism. He also said that a poor person in India can get full meals two times a day, within Rs. 28 to 32 and opposition parties termed Raj Babbar's statement laughable. In July 2013, he compared Narendra Modi to Adolf Hitler, which also created controversy.

In the 2024 Indian general election, Raj Babbar contested from the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency on Indian National Congress ticket. In a tight contest, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh registered his fourth straight win from the Gurgaon Lok Sabha constituency, defeating Raj Babbar by 75,079 votes.

Personal life

He is married to Nadira Zaheer, daughter of noted progressive Urdu writer Sajjad Zaheer. The couple have two children together; a son named Arya Babbar and a daughter named Juhi Babbar. He was also married to actress Smita Patil from 1983 to her death in 1986, with whom he has a son named Prateik Babbar.

He has two younger brothers, Kishan and Vinod (deceased) and four younger sisters. Babbar's niece Kajri Babbar is an upcoming filmmaker.

He launched his own home production; Babbar Films Pvt. Ltd. along with his brother Kishan. Under it, he has produced two films, Karm Yodha (1992) and Kash Aap Hamare Hote (2003), and also the TV serial Maharaja Ranjit Singh (TV series) (2010).

Awards and nominations 1981: Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Insaf Ka Tarazu 1984: Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Agar Tum Na Hote 1985: Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Aaj Ki Awaaz 1994: Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for Dalaal 1996: Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for Yaraana

Filmography Films YearFilm Role Note 1978 Kissa Kursi Ka Raj 1980 Aap To Aise Na The Vijay Jazbaat Inspector Kumar Sau Din Saas Ke Prakash Nazrana Pyar Ka Shankar Chann Pardesi Laali Punjabi film Insaf Ka Tarazu Ramesh Gupta Hum Paanch ArjunJwalamukhiInspector Rakesh Saajan Mere Main Saajan Ki Raj 1981 Kalyug Dharam Raj Raaz Kumar Chandrapaal Singh Poonam ChanderPrem Geet Akash Bharadwaj/Nishant Sharda Suryakant Yeh Rishta Na Toote Shyam Saxena Umrao Jaan Faiz Ali Tajurba Akad Armaan Bar Owner Raj Aapas Ki Baat Anand Kumar Srivastav Chann Pardesee Laali Singh 1982 Dulha Bikta Hai Deepak Walia Daulat Sushil Bheegi Palkein Ishwar Jeevan Dhaara Ashok Kumar Srivastav Lakshmi Vijay Singh/Ajay Singh Nikaah Afaque Haidar 1983 Arpan JK Agar Tum Na Hote Raj Bedi Achha Bura Ravi Lala Aasra Pyar Da Suraj Punjabi film Main Awara Hoon Rajeev Kumar Mazdoor Ashok Mathur Durdesh Raju Rang Birangi HimselfGuest appearance Kalka Hariya Long Da Lishkara Raja Punjabi film Mehndi Ajit Singh Naukar Biwi Ka Prabhat Kumar Paanchwin Manzil Raj Rishta Kagaz Ka Arun Sharma 1984 Aaj Ki Awaaz Professor Prabhat Kumar Verma/Robinhood Anand Aur Anand Pratap Singh, Union Leader Inteha Raj Bahadur Jeene Nahi Doonga Badal Kanoon Meri Mutthi Mein Vijay Maati Maangey Khoon Balraj Singh Pet Pyar Aur Paap Raj Khatron Ke Khiladi Sheeshay Ka Ghar Shapath Inspector Vijay Hum Do Hamare DoAnil/Jagadish 1985 Jhoothi Dr. Anil Ek Chitthi Pyar Bhari Dr. Sunil Sharma Salma Nawabzada Aslam / Raj Lakhnauvi Haqeeqat Amar Jawaab Thakur Ram Pratap Singh Aitbaar Jaideep Yaar Kasam Raja Rusvai Durgaa Sunil Narayan Maha Shaktimaan Rajkumar Ajay Singh Meraa Ghar Mere Bachche Balwant Bhargav/ Arun BhargavDouble Role Lava Ajit Verma Ulta Seedha Ramesh Saxena 1986 Angaarey Inspector Vijay Teesra Kinara Baat Ban Jaye Vijay Dahleez Colonel Rahul Saxena Insaaf Ki Awaaz Chandrashekhar Azaad Raat Ke Baad Himself Guest appearance Kirayadar Anil Choudhury Suhagan Murli 1987 Awam Rafiq Jafri Insaniyat Ke Dushman Ajay Verma Jaan Hatheli Pe Inspector Khan Mirch Masala Sonbai's husband Guest appearance Muqaddar Ka Faisla RajAaj Press Editor Raj Daraar Husn De Hulare Himself Punjabi film; Special appearance Ahsaan Sansar Vijay Kumar Sharma 1988 Andha Yudh Raja Hum Farishte Nahin Raja Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani Satyavan 'Sathu' Kabzaa Ranjit Verma Kanwarlal Minister Suraj Prakash Mahaveera Inspector Deepak Kissan Mera Muqaddar Himself Guest appearance Rama O Rama Monu/Sandeep Vijay Shashiraj BhallaSpecial appearance Saazish Prakash Waaris Binder Libaas TK Zakhmi Aurat Suraj Prakash Ganga Tere Desh Mein Police Inspector Amar Paanch Fauladi Raja, Faulaadi 2Akarshan Himself Special appearanceNamumkin Sunil Kapoor 1989 Asmaan Se Ooncha DSP Ranjeet Mallik Marhi Da Deeva Jagseer 'Jagsaa' Punjabi film Aakhri Ghulam Kumar Touhean Dr. Sharad Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein Sohanlal Saxena Mahaadev Kishan Hisaab Khoon Ka Rajesh Hum Bhi Insaan Hain Shankar Paraya Ghar Dr. Ramesh Sindoor Ki Awaaz Do Yaar Mohabat Ka Paigham Nadeem Rahman Suryaa: An Awakening Inspector Iqbal Khan Jaaydaad Rajesh Srivastav Mirza Ki Shaadi Aslam 1990 Amiri Garibi Rajesh Agneekaal SP Jagadish Zanjeerwala Kanoon Ki Zanjeer Kishore Aaj Ke Shahenshah Barsaati Shera Shamshera Shivkumar Singh Ghayal Ashok Mehra Andher Gardi Inspector Avinash Shadyantra Inspector Raj Diwakar Qurbani Jatt Di Jagroop Punjabi film 1991 Gunehgar Kaun Vinod Saxena Dharam Sankat Police Officer Gopal Inspector Kiron Swarg Jaisaa GharRajKasam Kali Ki Vijay 1992 Anutap Bengali film Karm Yodha Sameer Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj Ravi Ye Hai Ghar Ki Mahabharata Ramesh Waqt Ka Badshah Jacky Special appearance Kal Ki Awaz Minister Syed Nooruddin Ahmed 1993 Sadhna Bipin Rudaali Thakur Laxman Singh Gardish Pratap Badi Bahen Vijay Dwarkaprasad Dalaal Jagganath Tripathi Aankhen Chief Minister & SarangDouble role Aulad Ke Dushman Jai Kumar Maya Memsaab Rudra Pratap Singh Bonny Himself Guest appearance 1994 Nasibo Naajar Singh Punjabi film Mr. Azaad Satyaprakash Andaz Captain Janam Se Pehle Kishanlal Punchcha Dalaal Jaggannath TripathiRakhwale Himself Guest appearanceSaboot Mangta Hain Kanoon Ashwini Ucha Pind Succha Punjabi film Do Fantoosh Veerendra Kumar 1995 God and Gun Police Commissioner Avtaar Singh Sarhad: The Border of Crime Prakash Mathur Sir Dhad Di Baazi Himself Guest appearanceThe Gambler JaichandFauji Arjun B. Sinha Barsaat Dinesh Oberoi Yaraana JB/ Inspector Pradhan 1996 Maahir Jabbar Khan (JK) Yeh Majhdhaar Mohan Sautela Bhai Advocate Rajaram Kalinga Unreleased film Hukumnama Gehra Raaz Kumar Bahadur 1997 Gupt: The Hidden Truth Governor Jaisingh Sinha Gundragardi Kalicharan Itihaas Thakur Digvijay Singh Qahar Police Commissioner Kapoor Ziddi Jindal 1998 Achanak Himself Cameo appearance Maharaja Ali Prem Aggan Captain Veer Bahadur Singh 1999 Daag: The Fire Tejeshwar SinghalShaheed Uddham Singh Sardar Udham Singh Kamboj Punjabi film Mahaul Theek Hai Inderjit Rai 2000 Baaghi Raj Aaj Ka Nanha Farishta Inspector Ashok R. Singh Aakhir Kaun Thi Woh? Raj2001 Indian DGP Surya Pratap Singh Chhupa Rustam: A Musical Thriller Super Intendent of Police, Bhim Thappa Censor Public Prosecutor Ek Aur Jung 2002 Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa Esha's father The Legend of Bhagat Singh Kishan Singh Sandhu Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani Principal Joseph 2003 LOC Kargil Col. Khushal Thakur, CO, 18 Grenadiers Talaash: The Hunt Begins Rajoo Singh Kash Aap Hamare Hote Sardar Teja Singh Brar 2004 Police Force: An Inside Story Ratan Sethi Bhola in Bollywood Himself Cameo appearance Sheen Pandit Amarnath Shikaar ACP Sumed Singh 2005 Bunty Aur Babli T. T. Chandra P. Trivedi, Bunty's father Haseena: Smart, Sexy, Dangerous Yaaran Naal Baharran Major Balwinder Singh Punjabi film 2006 Corporate Dharmesh Marwah Ek Jind Ek Jaan Sukhdev "Sukha" Singh Punjabi film Babul Pyaare Dil Toh Deewana Hai Himself Cameo appearance; Unreleased film Banaras Mahendra Nath2007 Aap Kaa Surroor: The Movie Feroz Merchant Sirf Romance: Love by Chance Rguveer Pratap Singh 2008 Karzzz G.G. Oberoi Khushboo: The Fragraance of Love Chairman Vishal Deep Fashion Shobhit Mathur 2009 Tera Mera Ki Rishta Varyam Singh Punjabi film Hamara Parivar First Time - Pehli Baar Apni Boli Apna Des Bikramjit Singh Punjabi film2010 Minsara Kadhali Vijay - Winner All The Way 2011 Bodyguard Sartaj Rana Force Mahesh Singh Rajput IRS; Zonal director of NCB, Mumbai 2012 Khiladi 786 Sattar Singh 2013 Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns Birendra Pratap Rabba Main Kya Karoon Choudhary Shebaar Karan Singh / Tauji Dhuaan Bullett Raja Minister Ram Babu Shukla 2014 Freedom 2015 Tevar S.P Ravikant Shukla Karbonn 2016 Force 2 Home Secretary of Intelligence Bureau Manish Singh RajputCameo appearance Dil Toh Deewana Hai Ashok2018 Ishqeria Raghav's father Sirf 5 Din Tantrik2021 Bunty Aur Babli 2 Himself Cameo appearance2022Bhoot Uncle Tusi Great HoBhoot Uncle Punjabi film Umran Ch Ki Rakheya Pyare Lal2024 ShahkotMirg Ek Kori Prem Katha Thakur Ram Dev Singh

Television Year Title Role Notes 1986 Bahadur Shah Zafar Akbar 1988–1990 Mahabharat Bharata 2010 Maharaja Ranjit Singh Narrator 2014–2015 Pukaar: Call For The Hero Amarjeet 2021 Dil Bekaraar LN Thakur 2023 Happy Family: Conditions Apply Mansukhlal Dholakia