Ashok Saraf (born 4 June 1947) is an Indian actor and comedian, known for his work in
Marathi and
Hindi films along with
theatre in both languages. Saraf has received several awards including four
Filmfare Marathi Awards. He is referred to as the Mahanayak (
lit.'Greatest Actor'), Ashok Samrat or Mama of the
Marathi film industry.[1][2][3] In 2023, he received the
Maharashtra Bhushan, the highest civilian honour in the Indian state of
Maharashtra.[4]
Saraf was born in
Bombay, (present day Mumbai) on 4 June 1947.[6][7] He grew up in the
South Mumbai neighbourhood of Chikhalwadi and went to DGT Vidyalay for his education.[8] He was named "Ashok" after veteran actor
Ashok Kumar.[7] He spent his childhood at
Chikhalwadi in
South Mumbai. He completed his schooling at DGT Vidyalay Mumbai.[6]
Saraf has been working in the film and television industry since 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 started his career with the Marathi movie Janaki in 1969.[3] He then acted in the films like Donhi Gharacha Pahuna, Jawal Ye Laju Nako, Tumcha Aamcha Jamla, Chimanrao Gundyabhau, Deed Shahane, Haldi Kunku, Duniya Kari Salam and more during the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to work in Marathi films with
Laxmikant Berde,
Sachin and
Mahesh Kothare. Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi, Aayatya Gharat Gharoba, Balache Baap Brahmachari, Bhutacha Bhau and Dhum Dhadaka are some of the notable Marathi films in which Saraf acted.[9]
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.[10]
Marathi film career
Saraf had success pairing with
Laxmikant Berde, another comedian from Marathi cinema who has also acted in many Hindi films. With Saraf, Berde and
Sachin Pilgaonkar acted in many Marathi films.[11] He tasted major success in Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988), in the lead role with the two reigning superstars of Marathi cinema,
Sachin Pilgaonkar and
Laxmikant Berde. The movie was a runaway hit.[12][13]
Saraf has also starred in successful television serials like Yeh Choti Badi Baatein and Hum Paanch (as Anand Mathur).[10] He had a comedy show Don't Worry Ho Jayega, telecast on
Sahara TV in the 1990s.[14]
Marathi play career
Saraf has played a number of roles in Marathi plays in his career. Some of the important plays are Hamidabaichi Kothi, Anadhikrut, Manomilan, He Ram Cardiogram, Darling Darling, Sarkha Chatit Dukhtay, Laginghai, and Vacuum Cleaner.[15]
In the media
Saraf has been described in the Indian media as one of the most versatile actor. Saraf is also known by his pet name "Mama".[16]
In 2022, on the 75th birth anniversary of Saraf, a stage show were held in Mumbai by
Zee Marathi.[17][18] During the 1980s, Saraf and
Laxmikant Berde emerged as "superstars" in Marathi cinema, marking an unmatched phenomenon in the industry. The films of Saraf and Berde accounted for most of the
box office gross in Marathi cinema.[19][20][21]
^"Patrya Maruti Ganpati's one-of-a-kind tribute to Ashok Saraf". Pune Mirror. 9 September 2022.
Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023. Ashok Saraf was honoured for his lifetime achievement and thought it would be a nice idea for the procession display and his contribution to the film industry is remarkable, and the "Mahanayak" deserves to be shown love and gratitude in every way possible