Mumbai: Veteran Marathi and Hindi films, television and theatre actor Ashok Saraf will be conferred with the coveted ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ Award-2023, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said here Tuesday.
Saraf, 76, has been selected for his substantial contribution to the field of arts. He has straddled from comedy to serious to villainous roles through his acting and won the hearts of the audiences.
Saraf started his acting career in 1969 with the Marathi film Janaka. Since then, he has worked in over 250 Marathi films, mostly in comic roles, besides acting in more than 50 Hindi movies and 10 television serials, along with a dozen theatre productions. He has teamed with up actors like Laxmikant Berde and Sachin Pilgaonkar in different films.
Some of the prominent Hindi films in which Saraf could be seen include Damaad, Pratighat, Benaam Badshah, Aa Gale Lag Ja, Karan Arjun, Army, Koyla‘, Gupt, Yes Boss, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Khubsoorat, joru Ka Gulam, Jodi No. 1 and Singham, among others.
Saraf was also seen prominently on various channels in teleserials like ‘Hum Paanch’, ‘Professor Pyarelal’, ‘Aa Bail Mujhe Maar’, ‘Ye Chhoti Badi Batein’, ‘Don’t Worry Ho Jayega’, and many more in both Hindi and Marathi.
Over the years, he has been decorated with several awards and honours, including Maharashtra State Film Award ‘Pandu Havaldar’), 10 State Government Awards for acting in Marathi films, Marathi Filmfare and Screen Awards, and now the latest feather of Maharashtra Bhushan Award-2023.
Born, bred up and educated in south Mumbai, Saraf is married to actress and producer Nivedita Joshi. The couple has a son, Aniket, who is a chef.
