Deepak Dobriyal’s Bio, Career, Movies, Family, Net Worth & More

Deepak Dobriyal is one of those rare Indian actors whose presence can transform a supporting part into the heart of a film

He first turned heads as “Rajju” in Omkara (2006). He then became a household name as the lovable “Pappi” in Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Over the years, Deepak has built a reputation for honest, unshowy acting grounded in theatre discipline. His roles span drama, comedy, crime, and even horror-comedy.

He has switched with ease from tender, small-town characters to flamboyant villains and eccentric oddballs.

That range has earned him a Filmfare Special Award (Hindi), a Filmfare Best Actor award (Marathi), and steady respect from filmmakers and fans alike.

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Deepak Dobriyal’s Biography

Early Life and Education

Deepak Dobriyal was born on 1 September 1975 in the Pauri Garhwal region. His family hails from Kabra village near Rithakhal and Satpuli.

When he was about five, the family moved to Delhi in search of better opportunities.

He completed schooling at Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Begumpur, and spent his youth in Delhi’s neighborhoods absorbing the city’s energy and dialects that later enriched his characters. Interviews and profiles often mention his deep “Dilli” connection and the way it shaped his worldview. ¹

Theatre became his training ground. In 1994, he began working with director Arvind Gaur at Asmita Theatre, performing in a wide range of plays from Indian classics like Tughlaq and Andha Yug to international works like The Good Person of Szechwan.

After six years with Asmita, he joined Act One under N. K. Sharma.

This foundation gave Deepak not only acting technique but also an appetite for character detail. You can see the theatre imprint in his impeccable timing and ability to create full lives out of brief scenes.

Hasne ka reminder aur reason dono lekar aa rahe hai with Son of Sardaar 2. 😃#SonOfSardaar2 in cinemas this 25th of July! #SardaarIsBack #SOS2@ajaydevgn @ravikishann @mrunal0801 @neerubajwa @KubbraSait @ChunkyThePanday @SaxenaSharat #MukulDev @RealVinduSingh ⁦ pic.twitter.com/29Q30zH0aj

— Deepak Dobriyal (@Deepakdobriyaal) July 6, 2025

Quick Stats

From Stage to Screen: The Film Journey

Deepak’s film appearances began in the early 2000s with a small part in Dil Hai Tumhara (2002) and a supporting role in Maqbool (2003).

These were followed by meatier parts in Charas and Omkara. It was Omkara Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Othello that changed everything.

As “Rajju,” a young man whose wedding collapses in a storm of jealousy and manipulation, Deepak delivered a tender, wounded performance that earned him the Filmfare Special Award in 2007.

Critics and industry insiders called him one of the discoveries of the year.

The “Pappi” Phenomenon

In 2011, Tanu Weds Manu gave Deepak a role that audiences would quote for years “Pappi ji.” He returned in Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) with even more zing, delivering some of the franchise’s funniest moments.

The second film earned him a wave of award nominations and wins across popular award bodies, especially in comic categories.

This phase sealed his image as a scene-stealer who could elevate a film’s emotional and comic beats without overshadowing the leads.

Beyond Comedy: Drama and Character Work

Deepak’s gift is that he never stayed put. In Hindi Medium (2017) he played Shyam, part of a charming couple whose lower-middle-class warmth becomes a mirror for the privileged protagonists.

He was nominated for Filmfare Best Supporting Actor for the role, and received another nomination for Angrezi Medium (2020) where he played the protagonist’s brother in a story that turned poignant with Irrfan Khan’s final performance.

Then came Baba (2019), a Marathi film in which Deepak portrayed a deaf-mute father raising a child with love and determination. It’s a quiet performance, built from gestures and eyes classic theatre discipline funneled into cinema minimalism.

The role won him the Filmfare Best Actor (Marathi), and the film itself drew critical attention across regional lines.²

Recent Turns: Villains, Wolves, and Web Series

In Bhediya (2022), Deepak played “Panda,” a local officer with folk knowledge about the forest’s myths.

Reviews of the film highlighted its VFX and ensemble humor, with mentions of Deepak’s steady presence anchoring scenes that blended horror and comedy. The project broadened his mainstream visibility among younger viewers and streaming audiences.³

In Bholaa (2023), he took a sharp left turn as Ashwaththama (often called “Aashu”), a flamboyant, coke-snorting antagonist.

Critics were divided on the film but many singled out Deepak as a standout. Several reviews called his performance “outstanding” or “scene-stealing,” proof that he can turn even a heightened villain into a memorable character.⁴

On streaming, Deepak appeared as the deadly rival “Monk/Aagyo Dao” in Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo (2023), a stylized crime series created by Homi Adajania.

Different outlets assessed the show’s tone in varied ways, but his presence as the antagonist remained a talking point. This role reinforced another side of his range: cold menace laced with unpredictability.

In 2024, he co-starred with Vikrant Massey in Sector 36, a gritty crime drama released on Netflix. Deepak played Inspector Ram Charan Pandey, a cop pushed into a brutal investigation of child disappearances.

The film drew attention for its “inspired by true events” premise and for the performances at its core. For an actor known for warmth and humor, this stark role showed his comfort with morally grey terrain. ⁵

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Career Milestones

1. Early 2000s—Film Debut: Small parts in Dil Hai Tumhara and Maqbool mark his film entry after theatre years.

2. 2006—Breakthrough in Omkara: Filmfare Special Award; industry notices a new face with depth.

3. 2011–2015—Tanu Weds Manu Franchise: Pop-culture fame as “Pappi,” several award nominations and wins in comic categories.

4. 2017 & 2020—Critical Supporting Turns: Filmfare Supporting Actor nominations for Hindi Medium and Angrezi Medium.

5. 2019—Marathi Lead in Baba: Wins Filmfare Best Actor (Marathi); validates range across languages.

6. 2022–2024—Genre Swings: Bhediya (horror-comedy), Bholaa (action villain), Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo (crime series), Sector 36 (cop thriller on Netflix).

Filmography

• Omkara (2006) – Rajju Tiwari. The role that announced him as a major talent. Filmfare Special Award (Hindi).

• Tanu Weds Manu (2011) & Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) – Pappi. Career-defining comic support with enduring recall value.

• Hindi Medium (2017) – Shyam. A gentle, warm portrayal; Filmfare Best Supporting Actor nomination.

• Angrezi Medium (2020) – Gopi Bansal. Another supporting turn with heart; Filmfare nomination.

• Baba (2019, Marathi) – Madhav. A deaf-mute father; Filmfare Best Actor (Marathi).

• Bhediya (2022) – Panda. A steadying presence in a VFX-driven horror-comedy.

• Bholaa (2023) – Ashwaththama/Aashu. A flamboyant villain turn, widely noted by reviewers.

• Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo (2023) – Monk/Aagyo Dao (series). A ruthless antagonist in a stylized crime world.

• Sector 36 (2024) – Inspector Ram Charan Pandey. Netflix crime thriller co-starring Vikrant Massey.

Awards and Recognitions

• Filmfare Special Award (Hindi), 2007 – Omkara.

• Filmfare Award (Marathi) Best Actor, 2020 – Baba. Confirmed by Filmfare’s official winners list and Times of India coverage.

• Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Nominations – Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Hindi Medium (2017), Angrezi Medium (2020).

• Other Popular Awards – Wins and nominations in comic and supporting categories for the Tanu Weds Manu series at IIFA/other ceremonies. ⁶

Personal Life

Deepak is married to Lara Bhalla. He has generally kept his personal life away from the spotlight, choosing to let his work speak for him.

Based on publicly available profiles, his Delhi roots remain dear to him, and he often speaks with warmth about his growing-up years in the city.

Influence and Legacy

While the word “legacy” is usually saved for veterans, Deepak has already shaped the perception of what a “character actor” can do in mainstream Hindi cinema.

He helped normalize the idea that supporting roles can be as memorable as leads. Post-2010, many films rely on a strong ensemble to carry tone and humor.

Deepak’s success in that space through Tanu Weds Manu, Hindi Medium, and others has encouraged casting directors to back distinctive performers rather than just star clones.

He also sets an example for cross-industry work. An established Hindi face taking a lead in a Marathi film like Baba and winning Best Actor sends a signal that language barriers are porous if you commit to the part and its world.

Recent and Noteworthy Projects (2022–2024)

• Bhediya (2022): A creature feature that leaned on humor and high-end VFX, with Deepak as a wary local officer who knows the forest’s secrets. Reviews praised the film’s technical craft and ensemble comedy.

• Bholaa (2023): Ajay Devgn’s action vehicle where Deepak’s villainous turn drew consistent attention even among divided reactions to the film. Several outlets explicitly called him “outstanding” or “scene-stealing.”

• Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo (2023): A pulp-tinted streaming crime saga by Homi Adajania, with Deepak as a formidable rival to Dimple Kapadia’s matriarch.

• Sector 36 (2024, Netflix): A grim cop thriller set against child disappearances, with Deepak as Inspector Pandey. Released on 13 September 2024 (streaming), the film added another hard-edged facet to his filmography.

Career Timeline

• 1994–2000: Delhi theatre with Asmita; later joins Act One.

• 2002–2005: Early film roles, learning the ropes on sets.

• 2006: Breakout with Omkara; Filmfare Special Award.

• 2011–2015: Tanu Weds Manu era; rising mainstream popularity.

• 2017–2020: Hindi Medium, Angrezi Medium; awards attention for supporting roles.

• 2019: Baba (Marathi) and Best Actor (Marathi) win.

• 2022–2024: Genre spread across Bhediya, Bholaa, Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo, and Sector 36.

 

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FAQs about Deepak Dobriyal

1) How old is Deepak Dobriyal?

He was born on 1 September 1975. As of October 2025, he is 50 years old.

2) Where is he from?

He was born in the Pauri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh). His parents belong to Kabra village near Rithakhal and Satpuli. He moved to Delhi at age five and grew up there.

3) What was his breakthrough role?

Omkara (2006), where he played “Rajju.” He received the Filmfare Special Award for this performance.

4) Which roles made him popular with the masses?

“Pappi” in Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns. The second film led to multiple nominations and wins in comic categories.

5) Has he won major awards?

Yes. He won the Filmfare Special Award (Hindi) for Omkara and the Filmfare Best Actor (Marathi) for Baba. He has Filmfare Best Supporting Actor nominations for Hindi Medium and Angrezi Medium.

6) What are his recent films and series?

Bhediya (2022), Bholaa (2023), Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo (2023, series), and Sector 36 (2024, Netflix).

7) What is his acting background?

He is a trained stage actor, having worked with Asmita Theatre (Arvind Gaur) and Act One (N. K. Sharma) in Delhi.

8) Is he married?

Yes. He is married to Lara Bhalla.

9) Which performance shows his dramatic depth?

Baba (Marathi) is a strong example, where he plays a deaf-mute father with understated power.

10) Where can I watch his latest work?

Sector 36 streams on Netflix (released 13 September 2024). Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo is on Disney+ Hotstar.

Bhediya and Bholaa are available on various platforms depending on your region. Check your local catalogs.

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1. en.wikipedia.org
2. filmfare
3. koimoi
4. filminformation
5. rottentomatoes
6. imdb