Academically he is an Engineer. And, Swimming was his passion, before he opted for acting profession. In fact, he was a national level swimmer. But, after acquiring his Engineering degree, when Shashak Ketkar proceeded to Australia to do his Masters in Engineering management; he never knew that on his return to India, he would turn an actor.
Things changed for him, during his two year stay in Australia. Shashank had then joined Maharashtra Mandal, to spend his free time. Taking part in cultural activities of the Mandal, during festive occasions and performing on stage, brought him close to acting. And, when he returned back to India, with his masters degree; instead of taking up a job, he took the most crucial decision to become an actor. He had developed a new passion for acting.
Soon, his acting career began with a Marathi stage play ‘Poornaviraam’ ( Full stop). Following the same was his performance in e TV’s serial ‘Kalay Tasmay Namah’ where he played the grandson of renowned actor Vikram Gokhale. During the course of this serial, he played a small role in Mahesh Kothare’s serial ‘Phirun Navi Janmen Mee’ on Mi Marathi channel. And since then ,there was no looking back for him. He found his major break in acting through Star Pravah’s serial ‘Suvasini’ where he played the role of Jayaram.
The character of Jayaram in ‘Suvasini’ gave Shashank his independent identity as an actor. But, when you ask Shashank, the turning point in his acting career, he quotes a scene in ‘Kalay Tasmay Namah’. “It was an intense scene with Mr. Vikram Gokhale and when it was over, director Mandar Deosthali, walked towards me and said that I was a hero material. His words came true, when I received the role of Shrirang Gokale from him, in ‘Honar Sun Mi Hya Gharchi’.” he said.
Till the time we saw this chocolate lover boy image of Shashank in ‘Honar Sun Mi Hya Gharchi’, Shashank had already played variety of roles in serials like ‘Rang Majha Vegala’, and ‘Swapnanchya Palikadle’ besides other serials. He also established himself in negative character for a change in ‘Swapnanchya Palikadle’. According to Shashank, this was an experience to learn new things. “Even today, I am learning a lot from my seniors. Tejashree is a wonderful co artiste; but Atul Parchure has also been of great help on the sets. We make a very good team on the sets of ‘Honar Sun Mi Hya Gharchi,” Every day on the sets, is a school to me.” he concludes.
Shashank is certainly a talented actor and has a bright future ahead. With the progress of his ongoing serial, he looks more and more confident . No wonder, his pairing with Tejashree is the most popular among Marathi home TV viewers today, that too in all age groups. Now, just waiting to see him make a grand debut into films, in due course of time.