At 66, he is fit enough to work with the same enthusiasm, as he did in 70s, when he made his debut in Marathi films. He has a terrific sense of timing, when he performs comedy scenes with his co stars. No wonder, his pairing with late Laxmikant Berde turned out to be a hit. He must have done maximum Marathi films with Laxmikant Berde in 80s. But, no one can forget his cunning havaldar in Dada Kondke’s 1975 film ‘Pandu hawaldar’ and a ‘Munimji’ in Rakesh Roshan’s film ‘Karan Arjun’ in 1995. During the past 40 years, he has played a variety of roles in Marathi and Hindi films .But, he was more known for his comedy.

Recently, we watched him play an important role of a sympathetic Police Hawaldar in a hit Hindi film ‘Singham’ and we came to know about his versatility in changing from comedy to serious scenes. Not many Marathi film makers have used his skills in emotion filled roles. Very recently, we saw him play a very good emotion filled lead role in a Marathi film ‘Gol Gol Dabyatla’. But, unfortunately, this sensible film did not do good business.
After a long time, we saw him back to Marathi stage and also in Marathi serials through ‘Nana O Nana’. But, how can we forget his past performances on stage and TV ? ‘Prema Tujha Rang kasa’, ‘Manomilan’ on stage and ‘Hum Panch'(Hindi) on television, found him in his best. In the recent past, he returned to his comedy roles, through ‘Ideachi Kalpana’ in the company of Sachin Pilgaonkar and Mahesh Kothare. And, he stole the show in the role of a shrewd advocate. Even ‘Ek Daav Dhobhi Pachad’, became a hit, only because of his presence in the film.

For the past 28 years, he has been performing range of character roles in Hindi films; be it a crooked lawyer in ‘Pratighat’, kasturi in ‘Bade Ghar Ki Beti’, VCR in ‘Benam Badshah’, Gangaram Lalwani in ‘Naseebwala’, Dhaniram in ‘Aa Gale lag Ja’, Pyare Mohan in ‘Bal Bramhachar’, Mr. Patel in ‘Kya Dil Ne Kaha’ or head Constable Savalkar in ‘Singham’, they were all prominent roles.

Next month, we will see him opposite another experienced Marathi actor Sayaji Shinde, who has been a popular villain in south films. In the film ‘Khara Saangu Khota Khota’ these two actors are playing traditional rivals from the same village, whose children are in love with each other.

Today, he is the most respected actor in Marathi Entertainment and there is lot to learn from him; when he is around. Recently, while attending a function of the first look of one of his recent films, he noticed silence among the media representatives; and spoke himself, to break the silence and create an instant laughter. For any actor, it is very important to communicate with the media; and Ashok Saraf possesses this skill. No wonder, he has been in this industry for little more than four decades. And, he is still ready to deliver, given any role suited to him.

by Ulhas Shirke © MMW | 02 November 2013, Saturday