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 eleven Maharashtra State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards Marathi. He is referred to as the Mahanayak (lit. 'Greatest Actor'), Ashok Samrat or Mama of the Marathi film industry. In 2023, he received the Maharashtra Bhushan, the highest civilian honour in the Indian state of Maharashtra. From the early 1980s, Saraf started getting leading roles 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 (1982), Dhum Dhadaka (1985), Gammat Jammat (1987), Bhutacha Bhau (1989), Balache Baap Brahmachari (1989), Ashi hi Banawa Banavi (1988) and Aayatya Gharat Gharoba (1991). In Bollywood he worked in many movies such as Karan Arjun (1995), Yes Boss (1997), Joru Ka Ghulam (2000) and Singham (2011) and in many Hindi television sitcoms.

Early life

Saraf was born in Bombay, (present day Mumbai) on 4 June 1947. He grew up in the South Mumbai neighbourhood of Chikhalwadi and went to DGT Vidyalay for his education. He was named "Ashok" after veteran actor Ashok Kumar. 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 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. 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. 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

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. He tasted major success in Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988), in the lead role of Dhananjay Mane 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 Ghulam and Karan Arjun.

Hindi television serials

Saraf has also starred in successful television serials like Yeh Choti Badi Baatein and Hum Paanch (as Anand Mathur). He had a comedy show Don't Worry Ho Jayega, telecast on Sahara TV in the 1990s.

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.

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". In 2022, on the 75th birth anniversary of Saraf, a stage show were held in Mumbai by Zee Marathi. 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.

Personal life

He is married to actress Nivedita Joshi-Saraf in 1990. They married at the Mangueshi Temple in Goa, where Saraf's family is originally from. They have a son named Aniket Saraf who is a chef. Saraf survived a major car accident in the year 2012 on the Mumbai Pune Expressway near Talegaon.

Accolades