Hindi and Punjabi film actor Raj Babbar is best remembered for his role in BR Chopra's Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1985) as well as his offbeat Punjabi films, Chan Pardesi (1980) and Long Da Lishkara (1986).

Born in Agra, Babbar graduated from Agra College and later joined the National School of Drama in Delhi. At NSD, he trained in the Method School and found his passion through his participation in Street Theatre. Soon after finishing his training, Babbar moved to Bombay. In Bombay, he struggled to get roles but found his first film Sau Dina Saas Ke (1980) opposite Reena Roy. However it was BR Chopra's Insaaf Ka Tarazu (1985) that catapulted him to success. He played a strong negative role in the film which was critically acclaimed. The film was both a critical and commercial success.

Soon, Babbar was offered a number of films and he continued to work with BR Chopra in a number of film projects such as Nikaah (1982) and Aaj Ki Aawaz (1984). In the latter, he worked with Smita Patil and eventually married her, despite already being in a marriage with Nadira Zaheer with two children at the time.

Even though he constantly got work in Hindi films, Babbar did not get to experiment with his roles, which made him turn to Punjabi cinema, and he gave remarkable performances in films such as Chan Pardesi (1980) and Long Da Lishkara (1986).

Babbar also starred in more conventional roles in Punjabi films that proved to be a great success at the box-office. These include hits such as Aasra Pyar Da (1983), Marhi Da Diva (1989), Mahaul Theek Hai (1999), Shaheed Uddham Singh (2000), Yaaran Naal Baharaan (2005), and Ek Jind Ek Jaan (2006).

He recently also played roles in films such as Rabba Main Kya Karoon (2013), Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns (2013), and Tevar (2015). He was nominated for several Filmfare Awards, for movies such as Agar Tum Na Hote (1983), Aaj Ki Awaaz (1984), Dalaal (1993), and Yaarana (1995).

Raj Babbar made his foray into politics by joining the Samajwadi Party and was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 1999. He later joined the Indian National Congress in 2008 and was elected for the fourth term as Member of Parliament in 2009.