Raj Ballav Koirala is a popular and well-regarded Nepali film actor. He began his career as a radio host from Pokhara F.M 95.8, Pokhara, Nepal, before modeling, and acting. He first gained attention for his performance for the music video of the song, Bheteyara Chuttnu by Karna Das. His major breakthrough was as the lead actor for the movie, Parkhi Basen,which ran successfully for more than 100 days in the cinema.

It was honored with a massive 100 day celebration on August 8, 2008. With over 20 films to his credit and his applauded performances in movies like Apabad, Masaan and Pal, he is already considered one of the important actors of the contemporary Nepali Cinema. In October 2008, he received the award for Best Debut Actor (Male) at the prestigious KTV Film Awards, organized by the Nepal Film Technician Association.

He also won the Best Actor in a Negative Role award at the Digital Cinema Awards and Box Office Awards in the year 2010. Raj Ballav Koirala was also awarded the Outstanding Youth of the Year (2011) award by the JCI International, Nepal Jaycees. Raj Ballav Koirala has been known to be inspired by actors like Hari Bansha Acharya, Nir Shah, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Robert De Niro, Daniel Day-Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio.