Vinay Pathak is an Indian actor, theatre artist, television presenter, and film producer. He is known for his work in various Hindi comedy films.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Vinay Pathak was born on Saturday, 27 July 1968 (age 55 years; as of 2023) in Behea, Bihar, India. His zodiac sign is Leo. Until 1982, he studied at Vikas Vidyalaya, Ranchi. For classes 11 and 12, he attended St. Columba’s College, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. He pursued a BA in English (Hons.; 2 years degree at that time) at the University of Allahabad. To pursue an MBA, he moved to the US and joined Stony Brook University, New York. However, he came to know that in the University, BA was a four-year degree. So, he completed 2 years of BA there. He then dropped the idea of doing an MBA and did a BA in Fine Arts there. It was his acting coach Farley Richmond there, who advised him to start performing in Hindi theatre plays in India. [1]Hindustan Times [2]YouTube – The Lallantop
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper (dyed Black)
Eye Colour: Light Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Sachidanand Pathak, was a Maths and Sports teacher in a school, and later, he was selected in the Bihar Police. His mother’s name is Kishori Pathak.
Vinay Pathak’s father
Vinay Pathak’s mother
He has three sisters named Maya Pathak, Archana Pathak, and Poonam Pathak, and an elder brother named Shashi Shekhar Pathak (lecturer).
Vinay Pathak’s brother
A picture of Vinay Pathak’s sister Maya Pathak
A picture of Vinay Pathak’s sister Archana Pathak
Wife & Children
He once met the Indian actress Sonika Sahay through one of his friends during the making of the Hindi film. Soon, they became friends, and later, they fell in love with each other. In 2006, the couple got married. They have two daughters together named Vasudha Pathak and Sharinee Pathak.
Vinay Pathak with his wife and daughters
Vinay Pathak with his daughters
In 2008, Vinay and Sonika filed for a divorce. However, his marital status is not known. [3]The Times of India
Other Relatives
He is the cousin of the Indian actor Shyam Pathak.
Vinay Pathak’s cousin Shyam Pathak
Religion/Religious Views
He belongs to a Brahmin Hindu family. However, he does not believe in any religion. [4]Film Boards
Career
Theatre
He is a well-known Indian theatre artist. He has performed in various Hindi and English theatre plays. Some of his popular theatre plays are Nothing Like Lear and Koi Baat Chale.
Vinay Pathak in a theatre play
TV
Hindi
Actor
In 1997, he made his TV debut with the Hindi TV serial ‘Margarita’ in which he played the role of Dr. John Coelho. The serial was aired on Zee TV.
A still of Vinay Pathak from the TV serial Margarita
Some of his other Hindi TV serials are ‘Hip Hip Hurray’ (1998; Zee TV) and ‘Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr’ (2002; Star Plus).
A still of Vinay Pathak from the serial Hip Hip Hurray
Host
As a TV presenter, he has hosted various Hindi TV shows such as ‘Kahani Poori Filmi Hai’ (2001; Sony), ‘Ranvir Vinay Aur Kaun?’ (2007; Star One), and ‘Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai’ (2013; Colors).
Vinay Pathak in Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai
English
In 1998, he hosted the English TV show ‘House Arrest’ which aired on Channel V.
House Arrest
Film
In 1996, he made his film debut with the Hindi-English film ‘Fire’ in which he played the role of a guide at the Taj Mahal.
Fire
Hindi
He has appeared in various Hindi films like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ (1999), ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’ (2006), ‘Bheja Fry’ (2007), ‘Dasvidaniya’ (2008), ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ (2008), and ‘Chalo Dilli’ (2011).
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
English
He has also acted in various English films such as ‘Bombay Boys’ (1998), ‘Quick Gun Murugun’ (2009), and ‘Midnight’s Children’ (2012).
Midnight’s Children
Web Series
He has appeared in various Hindi web series like ‘Made in Heaven’ (2019; Amazon Prime Video), ‘Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story’ (2021; Diseny+ Hotstar), ‘Khakee: The Bihar Chapter’ (2022), ‘Sultan of Delhi’ (2023), and ‘P I Meena’ (2023).
Special Ops 1.5: The Himmat Story
TV Movie
He has acted in a few Hindi TV movies like ‘Unmaad’ (2001), ‘Murder Unveiled’ (2005), and ‘Kaam Ka Plot’ (2010).
Short Videos
Vinay has also appeared in a few Hindi short videos like ‘Murder Unveiled’ (2005), ‘Bole Wahtte Fun’ (2007), ‘The Cake Story’ (2018), ‘Tear’ (2018), and ‘Sound Proof’ (2023).
Other Work
He has been featured in various TV commercials like Parle Mango Bite, Ambuja Cement, Pizza Hut, VI, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
He has walked the ramp in various fashion shows.
Vinay Pathak in a fashion show
He was one of the writers in the Zee TV serial ‘Hip Hip Hurray’ in 1998. In 2008, he worked as a producer in the Hindi film ‘Dasvidaniya.’ In 2011, sang a song in the Hindi film ‘Bheja Fry 2.’
Awards
- 2008: Nominated for International Indian Film Academy for Best Performance in a Comic Role for the Hindi film Bheja Fry
- 2008: Won Apsara Film Producers Guild Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for the Hindi film Bheja Fry
- 2008: Nominated for Screen Award for Best Comic Actor for the Hindi film Bheja Fry
- 2008: Won Star Gold Comedy Honor for Rising Actor with Comic Excellence
- 2008: Nominated for People’s Choice Award for Best Actor for the Hindi film Dasvidaniya
- 2008: Nominated for People’s Choice Award for Best Comic Performance for the Hindi film Dasvidaniya
- 2008: Won Zee Cine Award for Best Comic Actor for the Hindi film Bheja Fry
- 2009: Nominated for V Shantaram Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Hindi film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
- 2009: Nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Hindi film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
- 2009: Nominated for International Indian Film Academy for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the Hindi film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
- 2009: Nominated for Stardust Award for Best Actor for the Hindi film Dasvidaniya
- 2010: Nominated for the Apsara Film Producers Guild Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for the Hindi film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
- 2010: Nominated for Screen Award for Best Comic Actor for the Hindi film Raat Gayi, Baat Gayi
- 2012: Nominated for The Ghanta Award for Worst Actor for the Hindi film Utt Pataang
- 2012: Nominated for Screen Award for Best Comic Actor for the Hindi film Chalo Dilli
- 2020: Nominated for Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actor: Web Original Film for the Hindi film Chintu Ka Birthday
- 2021: WOn FOI Online Award for Best Performance by an Ensemble Cast for the Hindi film Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi
- 2022: Nominated for Indian Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the Hindi film Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi
- 2023: Nominated for Grazia Millennial Award for OTT Ensemble Cast of the Year for the Hindi web series Made in Heaven
Favourites
- Actor(s): Mehmood, Sanjeev Kumar, Deven Verma, Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan
- Film(s): The Godfather (1972), CityLights (2014)
- Poem(s): Madhushala by Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Kamayani by Jaishankar Prasad, Rashmirathi by Ramdhari Dinkar, Panchvati & Yashodhara by Maithili Sharan Gupt
- Food: Veg Sushi
- Cuisine(s): Bihari, Andhra
Facts/Trivia
- His family lovingly calls him Chunna. [5]YouTube – The Lallantop
- In one of his Instagram posts, he shared that the Indian actress Padmini Kolhapure was his childhood crush. [6]Instagram – Vinay Pathak
- In class 11, he changed his school, and in his new school, his classmates used to bully him for his fair skin. [7]YouTube – Lallantop
- Since childhood, he had a keen interest in watching films. He used to often bunk his classes in college to watch almost every film released in theatres near him.
Vinay Pathak in his younger days
- While studying in the US, he started developing an interest in theatre plays after watching the British play Equus.
- He once shared that while he was studying at St Columbus School, he developed a habit of chewing paan. Later, when he moved to the US to pursue his higher studies, he got rid of this habit as there were no paan shops there. [8]Hindustan Times
- In an interview, he shared that while growing up, he dreamt of becoming a teacher. To fulfil his dream, he often takes acting workshops for aspiring actors.
- In his leisure time, he enjoys travelling and reading books.
Vinay Pathak during his trip
- He is often spotted consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes. [9]Instagram – Vinay Pathak
Vinay Pathak smoking a cigarette
- Vinay Pathak follows a vegetarian diet. [10]Catch News
- Vinay and his wife once decided to adopt a girl. However, their plea was rejected as according to the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act it was not acceptable for a couple having a naturally born child to adopt another child of the same gender. Later, the Bombay High Court, stated that the secular law should prevail. [11]Law Planet
- He has been friends with the Indian actors Rajat Kapoor and Ranvir Shorey for a very long time.
Vinay Pathak with Rajat Kapoor and Ranvir Shorey
- In 2021, he was appointed as the brand ambassador of the online app Bikry, an online app for business.
