Bimal Parekh began his career in the 1980s working at a chartered accountancy firm that handled the finances of film personalities like Zeenat Aman, BR Chopra, and the family of Nasir Hussain. After four years, he decided to go independent. As a parting gift, his boss passed on two clients — Zeenat Aman and a debutant actor at the time, Aamir Khan.
Growing Bollywood Clientele
After Aamir Khan, Parekh was recommended to Juhi Chawla. His client base grew gradually, beginning with income tax audits and later expanding into full-fledged financial advisory services. Over time, he became the trusted advisor to actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh Khan, Farhan Akhtar, and others.
Setting Up Film Production Houses
Parekh played a major role in establishing Bollywood production companies. He helped Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar set up Excel Entertainment when they planned Dil Chahta Hai. He assisted Ashutosh Gowariker after Lagaan to launch his own production company. Similarly, he helped Sanjay Leela Bhansali post-Black (2005) and supported the formation of Dreamz Unlimited by Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aziz Mirza.
Dual Role for Industry Giants
At one point, Bimal Parekh was signing off on the balance sheets of both Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, managing their respective production houses simultaneously.
Sharpest Celebrities in Finance
According to Parekh, Katrina Kaif stands out as the most financially savvy among his clients, actively participating in financial decisions. In contrast, Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor are more hands-off. He also noted that Ritesh Sidhwani and Krishna DK (of the Raj-DK duo) are quite financially astute.
Reputation in the Industry
From guiding tax savings to building financial empires and advising on production ventures, Bimal Parekh has become an influential behind-the-scenes force in Bollywood’s business landscape.
