Harish Patel is an Indian actor who is known for his predominant work in both the Bollywood and Hollywood film industries. He is popularly known for roles in films such as Eternals (2021), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), and Mr India (1987).
Wiki/Biography
Harish Patel was born on Sunday, 5 July 1953
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Hair Colour: Dark Brown
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information available about his family and siblings.
Wife & Children
Harish Patel’s wife’s name is Upma Patel and they have a son.
Harish Patel with his wife, Upma Patel
Career
Early career
Harish Patel worked in a garment exporting as an Export manager.
Film
Bollywood
In 1983, he made his Bollywood debut with the Hindi film ‘Mandi,’ directed by Shyam Benegal. In this film, Harish played the role of a policeman. In 1987, he made a cameo appearance in the superhero film ‘Mr India,’ where he played the role of Roopchand and worked alongside actors Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, and Amrish Puri. In this film, Harish’s dialogue ‘Gayi bhains pani mein’ earned him massive popularity.
Harish Patel with Aamir Khan in a still from the film ‘Mr India’ (1987)
He appeared in many Bollywood films including ‘Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha’ (1998), ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ (1994), ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’ (1992), and ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ (1989). The Bollywood film titled Pyaar Mein Twist (2005) was the last film Harish acted in before he moved to Hollywood.
Hollywood
In 1997, he made his Hollywood debut with the British film titled ‘My Son the Fanatic’ in which he played the role of Fizzy Parvez’s best friend. In 2021, Harish appeared as Karun Patel in the American superhero film based on Marvel Comics titled Eternals. In this film, he worked alongside actors Angelina Jolie and Kumail Nanjiani.
Harish Patel as Karun Patel on the official poster of the film Eternals (2021)
In 2007, actor- director David Schwimmer cast Harish Patel in an English- language comedy film titled Run Fatboy Run in which Harish played the role of Mr. Ghosh Dastidar.
Harish Patel as Mr. Ghosh Dastidar in a still from the film Run Fatboy Run (2007)
TV shows
In 1986, he made his television debut with the series titled Malgudi Days (Season 1 Episode 4) in which he played the role of Gopinath.
Harish Patel as Gopinath in a still from the TV series ‘Malgudi Days’ (1986)
In 2009, he played the role of Dev Alahan in the British soap opera titled Coronation Street. In 2019, he appeared as Haroon Khan in the American mini-series titled Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Harish Patel as Haroon Khan in a still from the series ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral (2019)
Apart from this, Harish also appeared in English-language TV series including Mr Stink (2012), Gangsta Granny (2013), The Boy in the Dress (2014), and Billionaire Boy (2016).
Theatre & Plays
In 1995, he joined the Indian National Theatre and appeared in the play Neela Kamra. He has worked in classical and modern Indian plays as well as plays by Western writers such as Pinter’s The Caretaker, Sartre’s No Exit, Camus’ Cross Purpose, Ionesco’s The Lesson, and Mrozek’s Vatzlav. In 2007, he played the lead role, Eeshwar Dutt, in an English comedy play titled ‘Rafta, Rafta…,’ which was written by Ayub Khan-Din.
I got a chance to rekindle my first love, which is theatre. I did a play, Rafta Rafta, at Royal National Theatre, then went on to do several TV shows.”
Facts/Trivia
- Unaware of Harish’s Hollywood venture, many people considered Harish Patel to be dead. During an interview, while talking about this, Harish said,
Ever since people saw me in the trailer of the film, Eternals, they started talking about me. All of a sudden, I became a talking point. But before that, I had heard that people just assumed that men duniya mein nahi raha. I am no more.”
- During an interview, Harish admitted that up until he was cast to act in the film Eternals (2021), he had never watched any single film from the Marvel series.
To tell you the truth, I’d never seen their films. I’d maybe seen one of Angelina’s movies, but I didn’t watch all of it; I can’t sit for long periods. I’d only heard of them. I was called in for a table read immediately after my audition, and all these stars were there, except Angelina. They were all there. It felt like I was a part of the family from day one.”
- Harish is a member of the Cine & TV Artists Association of India, Mumbai.