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Veteran Marathi and Bollywood films, television and theatre actor Ashok Saraf will be conferred the coveted ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’ Award-2023, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said here on Tuesday.
Saraf, now 76, has been selected for his substantial contribution to the field of arts and he has straddled from comedy to serious to villainous roles through his acting and won the hearts of the audiences.
He started his acting career in 1969 with the Marathi film “Janaka”, and since then has worked in over 250 Marathi films, mostly in comic roles, plus acted in more than 50 Bollywood films and 10 television serials, besides a dozen theatre dramas, and has teamed with up actors like Laxmikant Berde and Sachin Pilgaonkar in different films.
Some of the Bollywood films in which Saraf was 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”.
Saraf was also seen prominently on various channels in tele-serials like “Hum Paanch”, “Professor Pyarelal”, “Aa Bail Mujhe Maar”, “Ye Chhoti Badi Batein”, “Don’t Worry Ho Jayega”, and many more in Hindi and Marathi languages.
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 and they have a son Aniket who is a chef.
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