The best comedy actors of Bollywood include Johnny Lever, Paresh Rawal, Boman Irani, Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Mishra and Rajpal Yadav. Each has a distinct style, from Johnny Lever’s mimicry and physical comedy to Paresh Rawal’s deadpan timing as Baburao in Hera Pheri. Most of them are still working in 2026, in both comedies and serious roles.
Comedy in Hindi cinema depends on timing, voice and the ability to make a small role memorable. This updated list, current as of October 2026, looks at six actors who have done that consistently, with their best-known roles, awards and recent work.
At a glance
| Actor | Iconic comic role | Notable award |
|---|---|---|
| Johnny Lever | Babulal in Baazigar | Filmfare Best Comedian (twice) |
| Paresh Rawal | Baburao in Hera Pheri | National Film Award, Padma Shri |
| Boman Irani | Dr Asthana in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. | Filmfare Best Supporting Actor |
| Arshad Warsi | Circuit in the Munna Bhai films | Filmfare Best Comic Role |
| Sanjay Mishra | Golmaal and Dhamaal films | Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor (twice) |
| Rajpal Yadav | Chhota Pandit in Bhool Bhulaiyaa | Screen Award (Jungle) |
Best comedy actors of Bollywood
1. Johnny Lever
Born John Prakash Rao Janumala, Johnny Lever started out mimicking film stars while selling pens on Mumbai’s streets, and later performed in stage shows with the Kalyanji-Anandji group. His first film was Sunil Dutt’s Dard Ka Rishta, and he has since appeared in more than 300 Hindi films.
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He won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for Deewana Mastana and Dulhe Raja. His role as Babulal in Baazigar is still among his most quoted. He continues to work in big comedies, including Housefull 5 (2025).
2. Paresh Rawal
Paresh Rawal made his film debut with Arjun in 1985 and was first known for villain roles. His turn as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri (2000) changed that, winning him the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian and a lasting fan following.
He has also won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Woh Chokri and Sir, and the Padma Shri in 2014. Hungama, Malamaal Weekly, Golmaal and Welcome are among his other comedy hits. The future of Hera Pheri 3 has been the subject of conflicting reports, and its status remains unclear as of October 2026.
3. Boman Irani
Boman Irani worked as a waiter and a sports photographer and ran a family shop before he took up theatre. His film debut came in 2001, and his role as Dr Asthana in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) made him a household name.
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Virus in 3 Idiots, and IIFA and Screen awards for comic roles. Khosla Ka Ghosla, Lage Raho Munna Bhai and the Housefull films show his range. In 2025 he made his directing debut with The Mehta Boys on Prime Video.
4. Arshad Warsi
Arshad Warsi debuted in Tere Mere Sapne (1996), but his role as Circuit, Munna’s loyal sidekick, defined his comic image. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for Lage Raho Munna Bhai.
The Golmaal and Dhamaal films added to his comedy record. He returned as lawyer Jagdish Tyagi in Jolly LLB 3, released on 19 September 2025, opposite Akshay Kumar.
5. Sanjay Mishra
Sanjay Mishra first appeared on screen in the television series Chanakya in 1991 and has worked in films since 1995. He became a familiar comic face through the Golmaal and Dhamaal series, often playing eccentric side characters.
He has also shown strong dramatic range, winning the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for Ankhon Dekhi and later for Vadh. His recent films include Bhool Chuk Maaf and Son of Sardaar 2 (both 2025), and Dhamaal 4 is listed as an upcoming release.
6. Rajpal Yadav
A graduate of the National School of Drama, Rajpal Yadav made his film debut in 1999. Early on he won a Screen Award for a negative role in Jungle, but comedy soon became his strength.
His roles in Hungama, Chup Chup Ke, Malamaal Weekly, Phir Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa are still shared widely as memes. He returned to the franchise in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024) and is part of Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla (2026).
What makes a great comic actor
All six actors share a few traits: precise timing, a recognisable voice or manner, and the ability to work in ensemble casts without overshadowing the story. Several, including Paresh Rawal, Boman Irani and Sanjay Mishra, have also proved themselves in serious roles, which has kept their careers long.
Hindi film comedy has also changed. Older films often gave the comedian a separate side track, while many recent hits build the humour into the main story. Actors who can do both, like Sanjay Mishra and Arshad Warsi, have benefited from that shift.
Honourable mentions include the late Kader Khan, Pankaj Tripathi and Shreyas Talpade, all of whom have major comic roles to their name.
For more on Hindi films and stars, see our Entertainment section, and read more profiles in People.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best comedian in Bollywood?
Johnny Lever is often called Bollywood’s top comedian, with more than 300 films and two Filmfare Best Comedian awards. Paresh Rawal is close behind for Hera Pheri.
Which actor played Baburao in Hera Pheri?
Paresh Rawal played Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006).
Who played Circuit in Munna Bhai?
Arshad Warsi played Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Lage Raho Munna Bhai.
Has Boman Irani directed a film?
Yes. He directed and starred in The Mehta Boys (2025), which streams on Prime Video.
Sources: Wikipedia: Johnny Lever, Wikipedia: Paresh Rawal, Wikipedia: Boman Irani, Wikipedia: Arshad Warsi.
