Sachin- the Mahaguru of Marathi Entertainment

sachin-pilgaonkar-interview-image
In the year 1962-63, a child actor made his debut through Raja Paranjape’s Marathi film ‘Ha Majha Marg Ekala’. And the powerful and sensible script of the film brought this talented child star into fame. He received National award of best child artist for this film, on debut. Popularly known as Sachin, this actor called Sachin Pilgaonkar, later went on to act as a child star in about 65 Marathi and Hindi films. He performed with many big stars in Hindi and prominent among them were his roles in films like ‘Jewel Thief’ and ‘Bramhachari’, during the period 1967-68.

While playing a child actor, he groomed into a teen age star and that fetched him lead roles, through which he offered hit films like Geet Gaata Chal (1975) and Balika Badhu (1976). His pairing with Sarika was a hit those days. We also saw him in that important role of a teenager in super hit film like ‘Sholay’ and ‘Satte Pe Satta’ in the company of big stars . By the time, he crossed his teenage, we witnessed him as a young hero singing that hit song ‘Gapoochi Gapoochi Gum Gum…’. with Poonam Dhillon, in a popular multi starrer big banner film ‘Trishul’ in 1978.

Sachin, Sachin Pilgaonkar
This success was followed by films like ‘Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se’ (1978), and Nadiya Ke Paar (1982). By that time Scachin had turned into a young man, having gained a lot of experience of watching people perform on the sets. So, he turned back to Marathi films production and direction with films like Mai Baap (1982), Navri Mile Navryala (1984), Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988), Atmavishwas, Bhutacha Bhau( 1989) , Amchyasarkhe Aamich (1990) and Navra Mazha Navsacha (2004). But, at the same time he had directed a Bollywood film and with that experience in the 90s he switched over to small screen for direction.

His super hit Hindi comedy show ‘Tu Tu Main Main’ went on to create record viewership on Star Plus channel. This show starred his wife Supriya and Reema Lagoo.Sachin also directed a
show Rin 1 2 3 on Star-Plus, which presented parodies on Bollywood movies. Later, he directed a comedy serial for family , ‘Hudd Kar Di’ starring Dara Singh, as the head of the family.

Soon, it was time for him to anchor musical programmes like ‘Chalti Ka Naam Antakshari’ and similar other shows besides the Marathi film award ceremonies. Not deterred with his progressing age, he went on to prove that he was still best in dancing and proved his ability along with his wife Supriya, when in 2006, the couple won this popular dance Reality Show Nach Baliye, pocketing Rs. 40 lakh , while defeating nine other celebrity pairs , who were part of this contest. Sachin’s victory was mainly based upon the popularity votes in his favour.

In late 2007, he presented his new programme ‘Eka Peksha Ek’ on Zee Marathi, based on dance presentations, which opened the doors for hidden talent from different parts of Maharashtra. The programme is still popular and is released with different themes every phase. Today, being the chief judge of this reality show, he is popularly known as Mahaguru. But, in this entertainment industry, he is a real Mahaguru, almost nearing completion of 50 years of his acting career, which began at a young age of just 6 yrs.