Actor Mohnish Bahl was born to the famous actress Nutan and her husband, Lt Cdr Rajnish Bahl, on 14 February 1961 in Bombay. He started his career in the film industry with leading roles in films like Teri Bahon Mein (1984), Meri Adalat (1984), Purana Mandir (1984) and Dancer (1991). These films got him the industry’s attention, but not many offers. In 1989, however, he came to the public's attention with his negative role in the cult blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya, directed by Sooraj Barjatya and starring Salman Khan and Bhagyashree. The film opened to positive reviews and the handsome villain’s performance was widely appreciated.

Maine Pyar Kiya gave Bahl’s career a boost and he went on to play negative roles in several films. But in Barjatya's next film, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), he was repositioned as a supporting actor. This film also went on to become a blockbuster and Bahl gained a lot of popularity as well. He went on to play significant supporting roles in films like Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999) and Vivah (2006).

Bahl’s brief stints on television added to his fan following. He acted in the TV series Sanjivani – A Medical Boon, Devi, Kahanii Ghar Ghar Kii, Ekk Ladki Anjani Si, Dill Mill Gaye, Kasturi, Kayamath and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge (2011). The good-looking actor also hosted a crime show on the Life OK channel.