He was born into a Sikh family in a village named Tarn Taran which is near Amritsar, Punjab.

He lived his early life with his family members in Sadar Bazaar, Delhi.

Chopra hit show 'Mahabharat (1988 TV series)', in which he himself played the roles of Shikhandi and Sudama.

His son, Hiten Paintal, is also an actor, who worked in movies such as Dil Maange More (2004) and Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008).

[1] Some of Paintal's notable roles included Rattan in Jawani Diwani (1972), Salma in Rafoo Chakkar (1975), Guruji in Bawarchi (1972), Arun in Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Panditji (Astrologer) in Parichay (1972), Totaram in Jangal Mein Mangal (1972), Kamal in Heera Panna (1973), Headmaster in Roti (1974), Ramu in Khote Sikkay (1973), and Budh Anand in Satte Pe Satta (1982).