Known for his simplicity, modesty, commitment and positive attitude, veteran Marathi actor Ashok Shinde, is very popular in Marathi entertainment industry. Originally from Pune, his father was a commercial makeup artist. After completing his B.E. degree, he worked in Telco for 6 months. He also worked as a makeup artist for a few days, with his friend Vikram Gaikwad. But, soon thereafter, he left this work and since 1987, opted for acting as a full time career. Presently, he lives in Mumbai, with his wife Pooja and daughters Neha and Yojana who are MBA and Interior Designer respectively.
During the 27 years of his career in the field of acting, he has worked on stage, television and films, as a hero, villain and anti hero. As on date, he has done 111 films and 100 TV serials, apart from 42 daily soaps on Sahyadri Channel . After successfully completing 1200 episodes of ‘Swapnanchya Palikadale’ in the prominent role of Yashwant Patkar , he has come with new avatar in ‘Lagori – Maitri Returns’ on Star Pravah, which is his 100th TV Serial. He also did a guest appearance, in Nana Patekar’s Hindi film ‘Yashwant‘. Now, Ashok Shinde is returning to Marathi stage after a log gap of five years. Marathi Movie World spoke to him, on this occasion.
The excerpts from the interview :
Q : You have come back to stage after a gap of 12 years? How do you feel?
A : That’s right. I have come back with a play ‘Prem Prem Aste’. Feeling great and enjoying. I love to work on stage, but due to other commitments, I could not give time for stage, but I will definitely do more plays in future.
Q : Can you please share with us your experiences about your co-actors? What would you tell about Laxmikant Berde and Kuldip Pawar?
A.: Yes, certainly. Laxmikant Berde, was my best friend, he was very jolly. Kuldip Pawar was Full of life. Both were very good human beings and I am missing them a lot. I also enjoyed working with Alka Kubal, Aaishwarya Narkar, Surekha Kudchi, Pratiksha Lonkar, Asavari Joshi etc. I did maximum films with Alka Kubal, in 22 films she was my heroine. I was very fortunate to work with the great actors like Shriram Lagoo, Vikram Gokhale, Nana Patekar, Mohan Joshi and could learn a lot from them.
Q: Do you think it’s a better time for Marathi films?
A: Yes, that’s true. In the past two to three years, there has been an increase in the screening and success of Marathi films. Now market for Marathi cinema is almost unexplored and has the potential to give tough competition to Bollywood.
Q: How many awards did you get during your acting career as on date?
A: I was nominated Nine times and got Five awards, 2 for TV serial and 3 for Marathi films. I was also nominated for two international awards for ‘Evadhase Aabhal’,one was ‘Heart of England festival award’ and another ‘Mauritius film award’.
Q : To establish as an actor what are the important things?
A : Firstly, you should be a good human being, be with your producers, when they are going through a bad patch, you should have self-respect, try to adjust with all generations. You have to be humble for your long run career. Don’t underestimate your people, fans, do your work neatly and wholeheartedly.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: My favorite hobby is to watch movies. I also like doing regular exercise. Whenever I am free, I give time to my family. I have a limited friend circle.
Q: What is a secret of your fitness?
A : In 27 years of my career, I daily give 1 hour to myself, I do exercise regularly. After shooting if it is possible, I go walking from studio to hotel. While on outdoor shootings I take morning walks regularly.
Q: Who is your ideal and who is your favorite actor?
A: Mohan Joshi is my ideal, guru, friend, everything. My favorite actor is Amitabh Bachchan.
Q: Besides these what are your upcoming projects?
A: I have just completed, Kranti Redkar directed film ‘Kaakan‘, in which Urmila Kanetkar-Kothare is my wife and Jitendra Joshi has played as her lover. It is expected to be released in the next 2-3 months. Second film is Pradyumn Aangre directed ‘Aadesh-The Power of Law’, made on the life of famous Advocate Ujjwal Nikam, in which I have played the role of one of the advocates.
Marathi Movie World wishes him best of luck for his future career.
