Sonali Kulkarni, Laxmikant Berde, Ashok Saraf: Marathi film stars and their Bollywood connect

On actor Sonali Kulkarni's birthday on November 3, we look at Marathi film stars who have been part of Hindi films

Updated On: 2018-11-03 08:16 AM IST

In pictures: Marathi film stars and their Bollywood connect

Sonali Kulkarni: She won critical acclaim for her Marathi as well as Hindi films. Her extensive work in Marathi films include names like 'Doghi', 'Deool', 'Chaitra', 'Devari' and 'Dr Prakash Baba Amte'. She rose to prominence in Bollywood with 'Mission Kashmir' and 'Dil Chahta Hai'.

Laxmikant Berde: He was perhaps one of the best comedians in Indian cinema. In 1985, he acted in the Marathi movie 'De Dana Dan' and then alongside Ashok Saraf in 'Dhoom Dadaka'. Both these films turned out to be huge hits and Berde established his trademark comedy style. He followed it with a string of blockbusters like 'Hamaal De Dhamaal', 'Balache Baap Brahmachari', 'Eka Peksha Ek', 'Bhootacha Bhau' and 'Zapatlela' that catapulted him to stardom. In most films, he starred alongside Ashok Saraf and the pair is considered as one of the most successful lead actor pairs in Marathi cinema. Berde's first Bollywood film was Sooraj Barjatya's 'Maine Pyar Kiya' starring Salman Khan in 1989. Some of his other Hindi films include 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!', 'Saajan', 'Beta', '100 Days' and 'Anari'. In most films, he was paired with his wife Priya Berde. He passed away in Mumbai on December 16, 2004, due to a kidney ailment.

Ashok Saraf: He has appeared in many Hindi and Marathi films. Since the late '60s, Ashok Saraf has been known for his comedy films, many of which he appeared in with Laxmikant Berde. Apart from films, Ashok Saraf also starred in TV shows like 'Yeh Choti Badi Baatein' and 'Hum Paanch'. One of his most memorable roles in Bollywood has been that of 'Munshiji' in 'Karan Arjun'.

Shreyas Talpade: He began his career with Marathi daily soaps such as Aabhalmaya, Damini, Avantika, Bedhund Manachi Lehar and also tried his hand in theatre. Shreyas later acted in Marathi films such as Pachadlela and Savarkhed: Ek Gaav, but he rose to fame across the nation with the critically-acclaimed film Iqbal, starring Naseeruddin Shah. He went on to appear in Bollywood movies such as Apna Sapna Money Money, Om Shanti Om, Golmaal franchise (Except the first instalment), Housefull 2, among others. He was recently seen in the television show My Name Ijj Lakhan. He was also part of digital shows like Baby Come Naa, Setters, among others.

Amruta Khanvilkar: She has established herself as one of Marathi cinema's leading actresses and popular dancers. She was one of the contestants in 2004's India's Best Cinestars Ki Khoj and also participated in Marathi dance reality show Eka Peksha Ek. Two years later, Amruta started off her career as an actress with the Marathi film Golmaal (2006). In the same year, Amruta appeared in the Bollywood film Mumbai Salsa, which tanked at the Box Office. Amruta Khanvilkar appeared in Bollywood films such as Hattrick, Phoonk, Phoonk 2, Phillum City and Himmatwala (item song). She appeared in notable Marathi films such as Gair, Natarang, Arjun, Fakta Ladh Mhana, Satrangi Re, Shaala, Aayna Ka Bayna, Baji, Welcome Zindagi and Katyar Kaljat Ghusali. After featuring in a mix of Marathi and Hindi movies, Amruta Khanvilkar finally got a big Bollywood break with Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal's Raazi, which opened up a lot of opportunities for her.

Sai Tamhankar: Apart from working in Marathi films like 'Rita', 'Sanai Choughade', 'Balak Palak', 'Time Please' and 'Classmates', Sai made her mark in Bollywood with 'Hunterrr'. She was also seen in a small role as Jiah Khan's friend in 'Ghajini'. She also appeared in 'Love Sonia'.

Prathamesh Parab: Remember the young boy named Jose, who works as Vijay's (Ajay Devgn) assistant at Mirage Cable Network? The lad is a popular Marathi actor, who rose to fame with the movie Timepass, where he played Dagadu Shantaram Parab. Prathamesh played a small role in Balak Palak as Vishu, and after Timepass, he appeared in films such as Timepass 2, Urfi, Lalbaugchi Rani and 35% Kathavar Pass.

The Deo family: Veteran actor Ramesh Deo has been part of numerous Hindi and Marathi films namely - Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna-starrer Anand, Rajesh Khanna's Aap Ki Kasam, Shatrughan Sinha's Mere Apne and Arshad Warsi's Jolly LLB. His wife Seema Deo was one of the top Marathi actresses in the 60s. She also shared screen space with husband Ramesh Deo in Anand and featured in other popular Hindi films such as Koshish, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Kora Kagaz, among others. The couple's sons - Ajinkya and Abhinay Deo too are in the film industry. Ajinkya is an acclaimed actor in the Marathi film industry and has starred in Hindi films such as Gair, Bombairiya, Paandav, Aan: Men At Work and the latest one being Ajay Devgn's Tanhaji. However, Abhinay Deo made a mark as a director. He is known for directing Delhi Belly, the 24 series, Force 2 and Irrfan's Blackmail.

Sonalee Kulkarni: She is known for her role in the 2009 Marathi film 'Natarang'. She was also seen in films like 'Classmates', 'Mitwaa' and 'Shutter'. She made her Bollywood debut with the adult sex comedy 'Grand Masti' where she played the role of Ritesh Deshmukh's wife Mamta. She also had a special appearance in Singham Returns.

Sanjay Narvekar: His portrayal of Sanjay Dutt's sidekick 'Dedh Phutiya' in the Hindi film 'Vaastav' garnered him rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. He has worked in several Marathi films including 'Sarivar Sari', 'Aga Bai Arrecha!' and 'Checkmate'. He collaborated with Siddharth Jadhav in many hit films forming one of the most hilarious pairs in Marathi cinema. However, Bollywood movie buffs also remember Sanjay Narvekar's role in Hungama (2003), where his character falls in love with Kachara Seth's (Shakti Kapoor) daughter.

Swapnil Joshi: He is fondly remembered as 'Krishna' for essaying the deity in Ramanand Sagar's mythological TV show by the same name. He went on to work in several Hindi TV shows like 'Amanat', 'Hudd Kar Di' and 'Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand'. He essayed the role of Vikram Dixit in Nana Patekar's film 'Ghulam-E-Mustafa' (1997). 'Checkmate' (2008), 'Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai' (2010) and 'Duniyadari' (2013) are among the Marathi films to his credit.

Sachin Khedekar: Best remembered for his role Akash Pradhan (Sunny Deol's brother) in Ziddi, Sachin Khedekar is a popular Marathi actor who started off his career as a theatre artist. He played memorable roles in various Bollywood films such as Baadshah, Daag - The Fire, Astitva, Bichhoo, Jung, Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, Aap Kaa Surroor, Tees Maar Khan, Rustom, Golmaal Again, Singham, and the most recent one being Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas. He starred in Marathi films such as Mrugjal... Ek Naslela Astitva, Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy, Lalbaug Paral, Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho, Kaksparsh, Kokanastha, Bapjanma.

Siddharth Jadhav: He has worked in successful Marathi films like 'Jatra', 'Aga Bai Arrecha!', 'Saade Maade Teen', 'De Dhakka', 'Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy', 'Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho' and 'Time Please'. He has also acted in Bollywood films like 'Golmaal' and 'Golmaal Returns' and the most recent one being 'Simmba'.

Rohini Hattangadi: She has played outstanding characters in Hindi films such as Chaalbaaz, Saaransh, Arth, Sarkar 3, Munnabhai MBBS, Gandhi. She became Asia's first recipient of BAFTA (for Gandhi in 1983), not to forget the National Award and several other accolades following it. But did you know, Rohini Hattangadi started her career on the Marathi stage? In fact, a decade ago she hadn't been equally active in Marathi cinema as much as she had been in the Hindi film industry or regional theatre. Nevertheless, Rohini is actively seen in Marathi television shows.

Adinath Kothare: He made his acting debut as a child artist in his father's (renowned filmmaker Mahesh Kothare) directorial Majha Chakula. He went on to star (as an adult) in Marathi films such as Dubhang, Satrangi Re, Zapatlela 2, Ishq Wala Love, to name a few. He made his Bollywood debut with Sanjay Surkar-directed sports drama Stand By. However, the film went unnoticed. Nevertheless, Adinath will soon be seen in a Kabir Khan's '83, where the actor will be seen playing the character of Dilip Vengsarkar.

Bharat Jadhav: The popular Marathi actor, best known for his films such as Jatra, Pachadalela, Masta Chalalay Amacha, and the Marathi play All the Best, Sahi Re Sahi and Shrimanta Damodar Panta, also tried his hand in Bollywood. He appeared in films such as Vaastav, P Se PM Tak and Praan Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye. However, his career in the Hindi film industry did not flourish as much as in Marathi.

In picture: (L to R) Kedar Shinde, Marathi film director, Marathi actor Ankush Chaudhari and Bharat Jadhav on the membership drive of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) at Dadar (Picture courtesy/Sameer Markande)

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