Maniesh Paul (born 3 August 1981) is an Indian actor, tv host, anchor, model and singer. Starting his career as an RJ and VJ, he moved to acting before taking up stand-up comedy and hosting. Paul is recognized as one of the most prominent television anchors and hosts of his generation, celebrated for his charisma, versatility, and engaging presentation style.
Early life and background Paul was born and brought up in New Delhi to a Punjabi family originally from Sialkot, Pakistan to Delhi, involved in the financial business. He did his schooling from Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai New Delhi. After his schooling, he did his B.A. in Tourism from College of Vocational Studies, Delhi University. Then he lived with his grandmother in Chembur, Mumbai.
Career
Early career Paul started his career in Delhi, as a host, compering cultural events in schools and colleges. Later he shifted to Mumbai, where his first break was hosting Sunday Tango on Star Plus in 2002. He also remained a VJ with Zee Music, and a radio jockey with Radio City's morning drive time show Kasakai Mumbai.
Acting career Later he entered channel STAR One's Ghost Bana Dost to play the role of a ghost. Paul has acted in many serials such as Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi on NDTV Imagine, Zindadil on ZeeNext, Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai on Star One, Wheel Ghar Ghar Mein and Kahani Shuru with Love Guru on Zee TV and Kuchh Cook Hota Hai on 9X. However, finding it unsatisfying, he quit daily soaps and was even out of work for eight months in 2008.
Though he had appeared in cameo roles such as in the Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif-starrer Tees Maar Khan (2010), Paul made his debut in a lead role of the computer geek Mickey in Mickey Virus (2013) which received a lot of appreciation.
Television host and presenter Subsequently, Paul started his career as a television host and presenter, and gained recognition after hosting Saa Ree Gaa Maa Paa Chhote Ustaad, and later also appeared in the stand-up comedy series Comedy Circus. He also hosted Dance India Dance Li'l Masters on Zee TV. He also participated in Star Ya Rockstar, a celebrity singing show on Zee TV, and co-hosted the celebrity dance-reality competition Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7 on Colors TV with Ranvir Shorey. He was also the host of Science of Stupid (IND) version.
In 2011, Paul won the Best Anchor award for Zee TV's Dance India Dance Li'l Masters.
Paul has also hosted Science of Stupid on National Geographic. Over the years, Paul has hosted numerous award shows. In 2018, he hosted Sony TV's Indian Idol 10. Next, he hosted Star Plus's Nach Baliye 9.He is currently hosting discovery plus show History Hunter.
Personal life
He is married to Sanyukta Paul (m. 2007), who is a Bengali. They met each other in their school and started dating in late 1998. Soon, their families got to know each other and they finally got married in 2007. They have a daughter born in 2011 and a son born in 2016.
Television Year Title Role 2005/07 Hero - Bhakti Hi Shakti Hai Azgar 2007 Chhoona Hai Aasmaan Farhaan Zaidi Zindadil Host 2008 Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayeng Karan Khooni Saaya Prem Kaali Chudail Prashant Honeymoon Hotel Raj Guest House Sidharth Ghost Bana Dost Ghost 2009 Ghar Ghar Mein Host Kuch Kook Hota Hai Mannu 2010 Dance India Dance Li'l Masters Host Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo Kiski Daal Galegi 2011 Pyaar Mein Twist Amol Dance Ke Superstars Host Star Ya Rockstar Contestant 2012 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 Host India's Got Talent 2013 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 2014 Mad in India Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7 Science of Stupid 2015 Brain Boosters Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 2016 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9 Science of Stupid 3 2018 Indian Idol 2019 Nach Baliye 9 Movie Masti with Manish Paul 2020 Mujhse Shaadi Karoge Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs 2020 Beat The Genius 2021India's Best Dancer 2 2022Smart JodiJhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10
Filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes 2009Maruti Mera Dost Varun Special appearance 2010Tees Maar Khan Master India Special appearance 2013ABCD: Any Body Can Dance Himself Special appearance Mickey Virus Mickey Arora Bollywood debut 2015 Ranbanka Rahul Sharma 2016 Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive Sharma 2017 Hrudayantar Himself Special appearance, Marathi movie 2018Baa Baaa Black Sheep Baba 2019 Banjar Jaswant2022Jugjugg Jeeyo Gurpreet Sharma2023Rafuchakkar Pawan Kumar2025Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Kuku 2026Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Kunnu The Vvaan: Force of the ForrestVed Prakash aka VP
Awards and nominations Year Film Award Category Result 2023 Jugjugg Jeeyo Zee Cine Awards Best Actor in a Comic Role 2023 Jugjugg Jeeyo Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actor
Discography YearTitleSingerMusicLyricsLabel 2018 HarjaiHimself Sachin Gupta T-Series
Events and awards nights
Year Event Role Channel 2008 GR8 Awards Host Sony TV 2008–2009 Mumbai Police Show Organised by Cineyug Host Sony TV 2009–2010 Zee Rishtey Awards Host Zee TV 2009–2010 Zee Gold Awards Host Zee TV 2010 Zee Diwali Dhamaka Host Zee TV 2010 Sahara India Pariwar Host Star Plus 2011 BIG Star Entertainment Awards Host Star Plus 2010 Indian Telly Awards Host Colors TV 2010 Indian Television Academy Awards Host Colors TV 2011 Femina Miss India Host Sony TV 2012 STAR Parivaar Awards Host Star Plus 2012 Femina Miss India Host Sony TV 2012 Indian Telly Awards Host Colors TV 2012 Golden Petal Awards Host Colors TV 2012 BIG Star Entertainment Awards Host Star Plus 2021 Opening Ceremony of International Film Festival of India Host DD India and DD National 2022 Femina Miss India Host Colors TV
References
External links
Manish Paul at IMDb