Ashok Saraf
Ashok Saraf is an Indian film and stage actor and comedian. He has appeared in many Marathi language films and stage plays in lead roles and in Hindi language films and TV serials in supporting roles. He received five Filmfare Awards, Maharashtra government award for the film Pandu Havaldar, Screen Award for Sawai Havaldar, Bhojpuri Film Award for Maika Bitua, ten state government awards for Marathi films and Best Comedian in Maharashtracha Favorite Kon.
From the early 1980s, Saraf started getting cast as the leading hero in Marathi films. The combination of Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Mahesh Kothare created the "comedy films wave" in Marathi cinema from 1985 that lasted for more than a decade. His successful Marathi films as the lead hero include Ek Daav Bhutacha, Dhoom Dhadaka, Gammat Jammat, Ashi hi Banava Banavi and Vazir. Saraf has also starred in television serials like Yeh Choti Badi Baatein and Hum Paanch.
In Bollywood, he is best remembered for the comic "Munshiji" in Rakesh Roshan's 1995 action thriller Karan Arjun, in Yes Boss as Shah Rukh Khan's friend and as Ajay Devgn's colleague in Singham as head constable. In the Marathi film industry, he is popularly known as "Mama".
Early life
Saraf was born in Bombay on 4 June 1947. He spent his childhood at Chikhalwadi in South Mumbai. He completed his schooling at DGT Vidyalay Mumbai.Career
Saraf has been working in the film and television industry since the year 1969. He has acted in more than 250 Marathi films, out of which more than 100 were commercially successful. He has mostly acted in comedy films. He has played many roles in Marathi Cinema, Marathi Plays, Hindi Cinema, Marathi Television Serials and Hindi Television serials. He started his career with the Marathi movie Janaki in 1969. He then acted in the movies like Donhi Gharacha Pahuna, Jawal Ye Laju Nako, Tumacha Amacha Jamala, Chimanrao Gundyabhau, Deed Shahane, Haldikunku, Duniya Kari Salam and more during the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to work with Marathi films with Laxmikant Berde, Sachin and Mahesh Kothare. The Marathi movie moved in the different term of comedy during that phase. Ashi Hi Banava Banavi, Aayatya Gharat Gharoba and Dhum Dhadaka are some of the very popular Marathi movies.Saraf has also acted in various Marathi plays and Hindi serials. He then developed his own production house "Aniket Telefilms", which is handled by his wife Nivedita Saraf.
Marathi film career
Ashok Saraf had success pairing with Laxmikant Berde, another comedian from Marathi cinema who has also acted in many Hindi films. With Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Laxmikant Berde, together they played many Marathi films and most films were super-hits. Both Laxmikant and Ashok were known to be good friends of actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar and actor-producer-director Mahesh Kothare. He tasted major success in Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi, in the lead role with the two reigning superstars of Marathi cinema, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Laxmikant Berde. The movie was a runaway hit.Hindi film career
Saraf played important roles in Bollywood. Some of the roles which are remembered are from the films Singham, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Gupt, Koyla, Yes Boss, Joru ka gulaam and Karan Arjun. His performance in films against powerful comedy actors like Govinda, Johny Lever and Kader Khan was praised.Hindi television serials
Saraf has also starred in television serials like Yeh Choti Badi Baatein and Hum Paanch, which tasted a major success. Ashok Saraf's comedy show Don't Worry Ho Jayega which was at that time telecast on Sahara TV was very popular in the 1990s. Audiences were very excited to watch this show at that time.Marathi play career
Saraf has played number of roles in Marathi plays in his career. Some of the important plays are Hamidabaichi Kothi, Anidhikrut, Manomilan, He Ram Cardiogram, Darling Darling, Sarkha Chatit Dukhtay and Laginghai, Vacuum Cleaner.Awards and recognitions
- 1977 - first Filmfare award for Ram Ram Gangaram. In total, 5 Filmfare awards
- Maharashtra government award for the movie Pandu Havaldar
- Screen award for the movie Sawai Havaldar
- Bhojpuri film award for Maika Bitua
- 10 State government awards for Marathi films
- Best Comedian in Maharashtracha Favorite Kon?
Personal life
Veteran actor, Ashok Saraf recently celebrated his 72nd birthday. His wife an actor, Nivedita Saraf revealed secrets about their marriage, the actor’s name and more, while going down the memory lane.
Filmography
Hindi
- Singham .... Head Constable Savalkar
- Dhamaal... Eknathrao Patil
- Familywala
- Dhoom 2
- Qatal E Aam
- Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa .... Mr. Patel
- Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein .... Govind
- Ittefaq .... Shambhu Shikari
- Inteqam .... Murli
- Jodi No.1 .... Ashok Rai
- Aashiq .... Constable
- Afsana Dilwalon Ka .... Pyarebhai
- Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya .... Tadkalal
- Koi Kisi Se Kum Nahin ....
- Yes Boss .... Johnny
- .... Havaldar Pandu
- Judge Mujrim .... PA Natwar
- Koyla .... Vedji
- Guddu .... Baliya
- Aazmayish .... Roshanlal
- Jamla Ho Jamla
- Karan Arjun .... Munshiji
- Nazar Ke Samne .... Mamu
- Sangdil Sanam .... Bhalchander a.k.a. Sangdil Sanam: The Heartless Lover
- Aa Gale Lag Jaa .... Dhaniram
- Dil Hai Betaab .... Vikram's employee
- Sarphira
- Meera Ka Mohan
- I Love You
- Naseebwaala .... Gangaram Lalwani
- Benaam Badsha .... Vinay Chandra Rathod a.k.a. VCR
- Yaara Dildara
- Chor Pe Mor
- Garibon Ka Daata
- Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani .... Lallu Ram
- Pratighaat .... Crooked Lawyer a.k.a. The Revenge
- Muddat .... Narayan a.k.a. Ages
- Ghar Dwaar .... Bahadur
- Phulwari .... Rickshaw driver
- Abodh .... Hanuman
- Nagin
- Duniya Kari Salam .... Shivanand
- Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi .... Advocate Venkat Vyas
- Damaad
Marathi
- Prawaas as Abhijat Inamdar
- Aandhali Koshimbir as Bapu Sadavarte
- Ekulti Ek
- Kunasathi Kunitari ....
- Pakda Pakdi ....
- Ideachi Kalpana ....
- Most Wanted
- Tata Birla Ani Laila... Birla
- Aika Dajiba ....
- Master Eke Master ....
- Nishani Daava Angatha ....
- Hastil Tyache Daat Distil ....
- Balirajache Rajya Yeu De ....
- Gosht Lagnanantarchi ....
- Ek Daav Dhobi Pachhad
- Adala Badali .... Chandu
- Aaba Zindabad
- Baba Lagin
- Anolkhi Hey Ghar Maze .... Mr. Deshmukh
- Amhi Satpute .... Mamanji
- Saade Maade Teen .... Ratan
- Sakkha Bhau Pakka Vairi
- Chalu Navra Bholi Bayko
- Ek Unad Divas...Mr.Vishwas Dabholkar
- Sakhi
- Mi Nahi Ho Tyatla
- Karaayla Gelo Ek
- Lapun Chapun
- Pahili Sher Dusri Savvasher Navara Pavsher
- Devaa Shapath Khota Saangen Khara Saangnaar Naahi
- Shubhmangal Savadhan
- Kalubaichya Navane Changbhal
- Akhand Saubhagywati
- Soon Laadki Saasarachi
- Saval Majhya Premacha
- Aai No. 1
- Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum ....
- Navra Maza Navsacha ....
- Sanshay Kallol ....
- Fukat Chambu Baburao
- Saglikade Bombabomb
- Bhajiwali Sakhu Havaldar Bhiku
- Joru Ka Ghulam .... P.K. Girpade
- Beti No. 1 .... Ram Bhatnagar
- Bhakti Heech Khari Shakti
- Saubhagyadan ....
- Khoobsurat .... Mahesh Chaudhary
- Bhasma .... Masanjogi
- Bandhan .... Chillu
- Kunku
- Bal Bramhachari .... Pyare Mohan
- Aisi Bhi Kya Jaldi Hai .... Dr. Avinash
- Army .... Pascal
- Gehra Raaz
- Maaya Mamata
- Topi Var Topi
- Dhamal Jodi
- Painjan
- Sukhi Sansarachi 12 Sutre
- Karan
- Vazir
- Sasar Maaher
- Ghayaal
- Aaplee Maanse
- Jaagruti .... Sevalal
- Lapandav.....Abheejit Samarth
- Wajva Re Wajva.... Uttam Tople
- Tu Sukhakarta
- Premankur
- Wat Pahate Punvechi
- Prem Deewane .... Shomu
- Shubh Mangal Savdhan
- Aikaav Te Nawalach
- Than Than Gopala
- Dhar Pakad
- Zhunj Tujhi Majhi
- Aayatya Gharat Gharoba .... Gopal Kirthikar a.k.a. Gopukaka
- Aflatoon .... Bajarang Rav
- Chaukat Raja Gana
- Godi Gulabi
- Jasa Baap Tashi Poore .... Raja
- Mumbai Te Mauritius .... Prem Ladku a.k.a. Bombay to Mauritius
- Anapekshit.... Uttam Rao Pawar
- Balidaan
- Thamb Thamb Jau Nako Lamb
- Ina Mina Dika .... Mina
- Shejari Shejari .... Keshav Kulkarni
- Amchya Sarkhe Aamhich Abhay/Kailas
- Dhamal Bablya Ganpyachi
- Tuzhi Mazhi Jamli Jodi a.k.a. We Are Life Partners
- Eka Peksha Ek
- Ghanchakkar
- Ejaa Beeja Teeja
- Pheka Pheki
- Baapre Baap
- Tiyya
- Dharla Tar Chavatay
- Savla Maroti
- Bade Ghar Ki Beti .... Kasturi
- Atmavishwas .... Vijay Jhende
- Balache Baap Brahmachari .... Vilas T V Wale
- Bhutacha Bhau
- Maalmasala
- Ek Gadi Baki Anadi
- Kalat Nakalat
- Nawara Bayako
- Madhu Chandrachi Ratra
- Aaghat
- Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi .... Dhananjay Mane
- Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani .... Bhagwan Singh
- Changu Mangu .... Changu/Ayappa
- Maza Pati Karodpati .... Dinkar Luktuke a.k.a. My Husband Is a Millionaire
- Saglikade Bombabomb
- Disata Tas Nasata
- Mamla Poricha
- Pandharichi Vari
- Shiv Shakti
- Anandi Anand
- Chhakke Panje .... Ashok
- Gammat Jammat .... Phalgun
- Prem Karuya Khullam Khulla .... Bajarang
- Premasathi Vattel Te
- Gadbad Ghotala .... Hemant 'Hemu' Dhole a.k.a. Everything in Chaos
- Maa Beti
- Tuzya Vachun Karmena
- Khara Warasdar
- Dhoom Dhadaka .... Ashok Gupchup
- Gaon Tasa Changla Pan Veshila Tangla
- Khichadi
- Sagge Soyare
- Ek Daav Bhutacha .... Mavala Bhut khandoji farjand
- Sasu varchadh Jawai
- BinKamacha Navara..... Tukaram/Tukya
- Gosht Dhamal Namyachi.... Namdev/Namya
- Hech Mazha Maher..... Kammana
- Navari Mile Navryala .... Baalasaheb Inamdar a.k.a. The Boy Gets a Bride
- Bahuroopi....Bahurupi
- Chawhata
- Kulswamini Ambabai
- Zakhmi Waghin
- Gulchaadi
- Jugalbandi
- Savvasher
- Thakas Mahathak
- Baiko Asavi Ashi
- Gupchup Gupchup .... Prof. Dhond
- Raghu Maina
- Kashala Udyachi Baat
- Galli Te Dilli
- Don Baika Fajiti Aika
- Maibaap
- Savitrichi Sun
- Ek Daav Bhutacha
- Aapalech Daat Aapalech Oth
- Bhannat Bhanu
- Daivat
- Gondhalat Gondhal .... Madan
- Sundara Satarkar
- Are Sansar Sansar
- Govinda Aala Re Aala
- Mosmabi Narangi
- Choravar Mor
- Phatakadi
- Sulavarchi Poli
- Hich Khari Daulat
- Sawaj
- Saubhagwan
- Sharan Tula Bhagwanta
- Paijecha Vida
- Chimanrao Gundyabhau
- Haldikunku
- Bailaveda
- Deed Shahane
- Sasurvashin
- Gyanabachi Mekh
- Sushila
- Ram Ram Gangaram.....Mhamdu Khatik
- Nawara Maja Bramhmachari
- Jawal Ye Laju Nako
- Tumacha Amacha Jamala
- Pandu Hawaldar
- Varat
- Pandoba Poragi Phasali
- Aalay Tufan Darayala
- Donhi Gharcha Pahuna
- Janaki
Marathi Natak (Drama)