A creative legend, called Amol Palekar
Not all the Marathi actors who received Bollywood offers, were successful. But, in 70s Amol Palekar invited all the attention. His popularity as an actor in Bollywood, still remains, which is clearly visible from the recently released Ajay Devgan-Abhishek Bachchan starrer film ‘Bol Bachchan’ , where his original hit film ‘Golmaal’ scenes were repeated. The credit obviously goes to Amol Palekar’s perfect timing for comedy, which is evident from his past films ‘Chotisi Baat’, ‘Golmaal’, ‘Baton Baton Mein’ and so on.
It did not matter to an actor within Amol Palekar, as to who was directing him. He was always at ease. Moreover, those great film makers like Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee very well knew his potential. So, natural was his performance. No wonder, he won the filmfare award for Best actor for ‘Golmaal’ in 1980, in presence of top actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Rajesh khanna, Vinod Khanna, Jitendra, Mithun Chakraborty around.
Being student of Fine Arts at the Sir JJ School of Arts, Mumbai, creativity had set in his mind. Though, he commenced his artistic career as a painter; it was in late sixties, he became active in Marathi and Hindi theatre; as an actor, director and producer. Later, as an actor, he achieved prominence for almost over a decade from 1970. His image of a common man on screen, posed challenge to all those larger-than-life heroes of that period in Indian cinema. In all, he received nine prestigious awards, as Best Actor.
Amol also went on to perform in regional language films in Marathi, Bengali, Malyalam and Kannada, which fetched him critical acclaim as well. After 1986, he had almost stopped acting, to focus on filmmaking. As a director, we have seen his ability through his sensitive portrayal of women, selection of memorable stories from Indian literature and insightful handling of social issues.
In the past, Amol was also involved in production of several television serials, especially on the national network; namely ‘Kachchi Dhoop’, ‘Mrignayani’, ‘Naquab’, ‘Paool Khuna’ and ‘Krishna Kali’, Having a background of experimental theatre with Pt. Satydev Dubey, it enabled him to start his own theatre group ‘Aniket’ sometime in 1972. By the time, he had already made his acting debut through Marathi film ‘Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe’ directed by Satyadev Dubey, which brought a new movement into Marathi cinema. .
‘Aakriet’ was the first Marathi film directed by him. Later, he displayed his creativity through an unusual Hindi film ‘ Paheli’ starring popular stars like Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Juhu Chawla. This movie was India’s official entry for Best Foreign language Film at the 2006 Oscars. This itself was an honour for Amol. Besides film making, Amol involved himself in social service, offering his voice to an HIV/AIDS education animated software tutorial, created by the non profit organization TeachAIDS.
After his divorce from first wife Chitra, Amol settled down in Pune and married writer Sandya Gokhale. Both of them together have offered quality films, beginning with ‘Paheli’, followed by Marathi film ‘Samantar’ starring Sharmila Tagore and now they have presented an entertaining Marathi film ‘We are On, Houn Jaoo Dya’. After watching this film, you realise the hard work put in by him, to offer this quality entertainer, using the backdrop of cricket; which is a popular sport in our country. Advancing Age does not matter to a creative film maker. Amol Palekar is the best example. Moreover, he has the moral support of equally creative writer and new life partner Sandhya Gokhale. And, their team work is really working well.
by Ulhas Shirke © MMW
Amol Palekar – still unmatched
Amol Palekar is a popular name in Marathi and Hindi Cinema since 70s. Perhaps, he is the only Marathi actor who besides making his name as a talented actor in Hindi and Marathi Cinema, also went on to produce and direct some of the best Hindi and Marathi films during the past few years. It may be recalled that this prolific actor began his theatre career with Satyadev Dubey’s experimental theatre and thereafter started his own group, Aniket, in 1972. He pioneered the Theatre of the Absurd to Maharashtra and a street theatre-inspired practice of performing plays in the open.
Amol made his film debut in 1971 with the noted Marathi film ‘Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe’ which was directed by Satyadev Dubey. This film, brought the New Cinema Movement into Marathi. Three years later, he played the lead in Basu Chatterjee’s film ‘Rajnigandha’ followed by ‘Chhoti Si Baat’. He was thus branded as a typical middle class hero with the light comedy films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee such as ‘Golmaal’, ‘Naram Garam’ followed by other films like ‘Gharonda’ ,’Baton Baton Mein’ and so on. Amol won the Best actor Filmfare award for ‘Golmaal’ and that earned him name and fame.
Amol Palekar, Actor, Director
In 80s he played the role of Ravi in Malyalam film ‘Olangal’, which was later remade in Hindi as ‘Masoom’. In 80s he turned to direction with sensible Marathi film ‘Aakriet’ and later also directed a TV serial ‘Kacchi Dhoop’ launching his daughter Shalmalee alongwith Bhagyashree as child artistes. Amol kept on appearing in Hindi films simultaneously as an actor like ‘Ankahee’, ‘Jhoothi’ ‘Baat Ban Jaye’, ‘Khamosh’ ‘Teesra Kaun’ and ‘Aks’. Recently he also performed opposite Sharmila Tagore, in his own Marathi film ‘Samantar’. Amol did produce some memorable Marathi films like ‘Bangarwadi’ and ‘kairee’ besides directing good sensible Hindi films like ‘Ankahee’, ‘Thodasa Roomani Ho Jaye’, ‘Daayraa’, ‘Kal Ka Aadmi’, ‘Paheli’ and ‘Quest’. His forthcoming film ‘Dhumkata’ is under production.
Amol has acted in more than 40 films, directed about dozen of quality films and produced three films. Whether it was acting or direction, Amol has always tried to offer something different and his ‘Paheli’ starring Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan( In guest appearance) was the best offering for those who understand cinema.
He is an alumini of Sir J J School of Arts and has exhibited his sketches, drawings, and paintings in Mumbai. He is also into social work. He has two daughters and is now married to Sandhya Gokhale, who is a writer, alongwith whom he made two films ‘Paheli’ and ‘Samantar’. His film ‘Paheli’ was India’s official entry in the race for Best Foreign Film at the 2006 Oscars. The movie couldn’t make it to the final nominations, but, it was highly appreciated by many film lovers. Amol is here to stay with his creative work in days to come. MMW wishes him a grand success and honour him as Star of the month.