In a prolific career as a wonderful comedic actor he has done over 500 films in Hindi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri and Marathi. He believes that it was his role as "Baanchcharam" in V. Shantaram's film "Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti" that launched his career. He worked in many Manoj Kumar films including "Upkar", "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan" and "Kranti". His prominent roles include: a prisoner with a half cut mustache in "Sholay", a drug addict in the film "Anurodh" and an informer in the film "Amir Garib".
Daughter Shalini is married into a business family named Guglaani, of Dadar. She has a son and daughter,.
Eldest among three brothers and two sisters.
Father had a printing press in Lahore.
Son name Santosh was for a shipping company. He has a wife and daughter.
Original Name is Satyendra Khosla. While shooting for film Anita, Actor Manoj Kumar and Director Raj Khosla found his name not so filmy thus gave the new name Birbal.