Shyam Pathak (born 12 June 1972) is an Indian actor and comedian, best known for his portrayal of Patrakaar Popatlal, a journalist character, in the long-running Hindi television sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
| Name | Shyam Pathak |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 12 June 1972 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Known for | Patrakaar Popatlal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah |
| Notable film | Lust, Caution (2007) |
Pathak has worked in both Indian television and international cinema. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Popatlal, the bachelor journalist working for the fictional newspaper Toofan Express, in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, the Hindi sitcom that began airing in 2008 and is based on the column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma by Taarak Mehta.
In 2007, Pathak appeared in Lust, Caution, an erotic espionage period film directed by Ang Lee. The film is set against the backdrop of World War II in Japanese-occupied Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Through his sustained television work, Pathak has become a familiar face on Indian small screen comedy, with the character of Popatlal recognised as one of the longstanding ensemble roles in popular Hindi television.