Mukesh Rishi (born 19 April 1956) is an Indian actor and film producer who works primarily in Hindi and Telugu films. He has also appeared in Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Marathi and Tamil films. He got his first break in Hindi in 1993 with Gardish and has since, established himself as a notable supporting actor, generally as a villain.
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Early life
Rishi was born in Jammu. His pre-partition roots lie in Mirpur, now in Pakistan-administred Kashmir. After his graduation from Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, and working for two years in Mumbai, Rishi moved to Fiji for work, where he met his future wife, who is of Indo-Fijian ancestry. Her family ran a traditional departmental store. He has a lucrative investment portfolio including warehouse investments.
After marriage, they went to New Zealand, where Mukesh started his career as a model. However, he could hardly find time for modelling due to a busy work schedule and was dissatisfied with his modelling assignments. After seven years, he returned to Mumbai, India and enrolled in Roshan Taneja's acting school, and later got his break with Sanjay Khan's serial The Sword of Tipu Sultan (1990), where he played the villain, Mir Sadiq.
Filmography
Punjabi films
Mitter Pyare Nu Haal Mureedan Da Kehna (2004)
Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris (2006)
Taur Mittran Di (2012)
Jatt James Bond (2014)
Sikka (2015)
Ishq My Religion (2019)
Nidarr (2023)
Nanak Naam Jahaz Hain (2024)
Badnaam (2025)
Bhojpuri movies
Dulhan Chahi Pakistan Se (2016)
Tamil movies
Vallarasu (2000) as Wasim Khan
Ramana (2002) as Jalandhar Singh
Singam 2 (2013) as Bhai, partner of Thangaraj
Marathi
Balgandharva (2011) as Pathan
Truckbhar Swapna (2021) as R.K.
Sher Shivraj (2022) as Afzalkhan
Odia
Aakhi Palakare Tu (2010)
Television serials
The Sword of Tipu Sultan (1990) as Mir Sadiq
Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur (2009)
Prithvi Vallabh (2018)
Web series
Abhay (2019)
Indian Police Force (2024)
Salakaar (2025) as Zia-ul-Haq
Objection, My Lord! as Viswanath
Awards and nominations
2000: Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Sarfarosh
2003: Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Villain – Telugu – Indra
2004: Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Villain – Telugu – Seetayya