“I would have been a cricketer, if I had not become an actor” – Ajay Padhye

If he had not become an actor, he would have certainly played cricket at the national or international level. When Ajay Padhye completed his schooling from SIES School, Matunga, he joined Jhunjhunwala College, Ghatkoper, as he wanted to play for the college team and was advised accordingly, by his cricket coach Deepak Murekar from Shivaji Park Gymkhana. Ajay had played cricket with all time greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli and had even toured Nairobi to play U-19 cricket on exchange tour basis.

ajay-padhye-actor-imageBut, destiny had something else in his life. Ajay had joined a vacation workshop for acting while he was doing his college and was trained at ARTS by Vinayak Padwal and Suresh Vaidya. Later, while he was doing his MBA after graduation, Ajay had an opportunity to work in few experimental plays; and that inspired him to work on stage. His first professional assignment was in Meena Naik’s play ‘Makada Makada Hoop!’ which was also performed in Hindi with the title “Bandar Tere Peeche Kalandar”. The shows of this play were performed all over India, including NSD, Delhi. And, this boosted the confidence of Ajay, who then joined Yatri Group and performed also in many English and Hindi plays.

Though Ajay had taken up job in Sah – Sanghi and later with Sterling Resorts, after completing his MBA, he did find time for his rehearsals, for his experimental plays. His stage experience enabled him to get into modelling field. Thanks to Model Sujata Pathre, who recommended him to a Model Photographer Ashok Sonpura. Ajay appeared in many print and TV ads like “D cold rub”, ” Fanta”, “Bits Computer”, “Channel V promo”, “Maharashtra Times”, “Kinetic Style”, “Bajaj Bikes”, “Oriental Bank”, “Tata Tea”, etc.

When Ajay made his debut in Uttar ‘Damini’, he came into reckoning. But, when he found an important role into E TV’s Mega serial ‘Char Diwas Sasuche’, Ajay earned name and fame. Simultaneously, he also found roles in Hindi serials like Rajan Waghdhare’s “Do Aur Do Paanch” & “Didi Ka Dulha” as well as Anand Mahendroo’s “Idhar-Udhar”. Recently, he also performed in ‘Hatim’ and ‘Mahadev’ Hindi serials, only to receive more recognition.

Ajay had also made his debut in Hindi films, through ‘Dhoom’ part 1, where he had played Uday Chopra’s friend. But, now, he is all set to establish himself as a Marathi film actor. Watching his performance in latest released film ‘Dhamak’ clearly suggests that Ajay is here to stay, in the long run. He has played an important role Aniket’s close friend – Javed Akhtar, with total conviction. There is one more film in the pipeline and Ajay is all smiles, to make his presence felt with his enormous talent .