Ashutosh Gowariker


Ashutosh Gowariker is an Indian film director, actor, screenwriter and producer. He is known for directing films "set on a huge canvas while boasting of an opulent treatment". His works include Lagaan, Swades, Jodhaa Akbar, What's Your Raashee?, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey and Mohenjo Daro. His film Lagaan was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 74th Academy Awards, which makes him a voting member of the Academy Awards. He returned to acting by playing the lead role in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama Ventilator.

Early life

Gowariker was born in a Marathi family to Ashok and Kishori Gowariker. His family hails from Kolhapur. He is married to Sunita and they have two sons - Konark and Vishwang.

Career

Gowariker started his career as an actor, making his debut in 1984 in director Ketan Mehta's picture Holi. On the Holi sets, Gowariker met Aamir Khan. After that, he acted in several television serials, including Circus, C.I.D. and several films, including Naam, Chamatkar, and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.
The 1993 movie Pehla Nasha marked Gowariker's directorial debut. His second movie Baazi, starred Aamir Khan.
In 2001, Gowariker wrote and directed the period epic movie Lagaan, produced by and starring Aamir Khan. Lagaan was the story of a cricket match between British officers and Indian villagers in the late 18th century. It ranked third among 2001's Indian movies in terms of gross revenue.
In 2004, Gowariker directed Swades, starring Shahrukh Khan.
Jodhaa Akbar, another historical epic romance set in the 16th century, starred Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. As a filmmaker he shows his own civility through his films.
Gowariker's romantic comedy What's Your Raashee?, starred Priyanka Chopra in 12 roles and Harman Baweja.
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, about the Chittagong Uprising set in undivided Bengal of 1930, starred Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone.
In 2016, Gowariker directed the film Mohenjo Daro, starring Hrithik Roshan. He returned to acting by playing the lead role in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama Ventilator, which was produced by Priyanka Chopra.
In 2016, Gowariker returned to screen as an actor in the Marathi film, Ventilator. Allegedly, he took about 6 months to agree to do the film. The film went on to become a box office success and was critically acclaimed.

Filmography

Director

YearFilmCastNotes
1993Pehla NashaDeepak Tijori, Raveena Tandon, Pooja Bhatt
1995BaaziAamir Khan, Mamta Kulkarni
2001LagaanAamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul BlackthorneAmerican Choreography Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film
Bergen International Film Festival for The Jury's Award
Leeds International Film Festival for Audience Award
Locarno International Film Festival for Audience Award
NatFilm Festival for Audience Award
Portland International Film Festival for Audience Award for Best Film
National Film Awards Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
Filmfare Awards Best Film
Filmfare Awards Best Director
Filmfare Awards Best Story
International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Film
International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Director
International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Story
Screen Awards for Best Film
Screen Awards for Best Director
Screen Awards for Best Screenplay
Zee Cine Awards for Best Film
Zee Cine Awards for Best Director
Zee Cine Awards for Best Story
Nominated - Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
Nominated - European Film Academy for European Film Award for Best Non-European Film
Nominated - Screen Awards for Best Story
Nominated - Screen Awards for Best Dialogue
2004SwadesShah Rukh Khan, Gayatri JoshiZee Cine Awards Best Director Critics
Zee Cine Awards Best Story
Stardust Awards for Dream Director
2008Jodhaa AkbarHrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Sonu SoodGolden Minbar International Film Festival of Muslim Cinema for Best Film
32nd São Paulo International Film Festival for Audience Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Filmfare Awards Best Film
Filmfare Awards Best Director
Screen Awards for Best Film
Screen Awards for Best Director
IIFA Awards for Best Picture
IIFA Awards for Best Director
Stardust Awards for Dream director
V Shantaram Awards for Best Director Bronze Award
2009What's Your Raashee?Harman Baweja, Priyanka Chopra
2010Khelein Hum Jee Jaan SeyAbhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Sikander KherNominated - Zee Cine Awards for Best Story
2016Mohenjo DaroHrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde, Kabir Bedi, Arunoday Singh
2019PanipatArjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon

Producer

YearFilm/TelevisionLanguageNotes
2004SwadesHindi
2008Jodhaa AkbarHindi
2009What's Your Raashee?Hindi
2010Khelein Hum Jee Jaan SeyHindi
2014EverestHindi
2016Mohenjo DaroHindi

Actor

YearFilms and television seriesLanguage
2016VentilatorMarathi
1998–1999C.I.D.Hindi
1998WohHindi
1998SarkarnamaMarathi
1994Kabhi Haan Kabhi NaaHindi
1994VazirMarathi
1992ChamatkarHindi
1991IndrajeetHindi
1989CircusHindi
1989GawaahiHindi
1989Salim Langde Pe Mat RoHindi
1989Kamla Ki MautHindi
1989IndradhanushHindi
1989Ek Ratra MantarleliMarathi
1989GoonjHindi
1988JaatHaryanvi
1988Bharat Ek KhojHindi
1987Kachchi DhoopHindi
1987West Is WestEnglish
1986NaamHindi
1984HoliHindi