Mohnish Bahl started his career as a leading man and done films like Dancer, Bekaraar, Teri Bahon Mein, Meri Adalat, Purana Mandir and Itihaas. But non of these films helped him to stabilize his status as a hero. Later in 1989, he was reintroduced, this time as a villain in the cult blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya alongwith Salman Khan and Bhagyashree. The success of the film made Bahl a very busy villain and character actor.
It was Salman Khan who suggested Mohnish Bahl to Sooraj Barjatya for Maine Pyar Kiya and later in Baaghi: A Rebel for Love. Bahl has also done important roles in Salman's Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Hum Saath-Saath Hain and recently Jai Ho.