He is always in a Jovial mood and very supportive on the sets; whether he is shooting for a film or a serial. Sharad Ponkshe who began his acting career as a stage artiste with one act plays while he was studying in Abhinav Kala Mandir school in Bhayender off Mumbai , was very serious about this profession. But, those days acting was not seen as a well paying profession. One needed a job to support self and family. So, like many others, after finishing his 12th followed by a three year specialized Government diploma, he took up a job with BEST. As an employee of BEST, he participated in various competitions and did his first professional play ‘Varun Sagle Sarkhe’ in the year 1989.
For a totally committed actor like Sharad, it was just not possible to stick on to only stage and hence in 1988 he made his debut in a Marathi film ‘De Taali’ while he was a little known actor. He got his first major break in a TV serial through Adhikari Brothers ‘Damini’ in 1997, where he played a Journalist- Uday Karkhanis. This serial was a super hit and went on for 8 years with a record run. It was during this period that Sharad Ponkshe received another big offer to play lead in a Marathi play ‘Mee Nahturam Godse Boltoy’. The launching of this play turned out to be the most memorable moment in his life, as it literally changed his life. He still remembers the date of launch i.e 10th July 1998.
Sharad, who was then used to be on leave without pay in his office, finally decided to quit his job in the year 2000. The journey of a successful actor had begun with the popularity of ‘Nathuram Godse Boltoy’. Sharad was later signed to play the role of a Journalist again; this time a shrewd and cunning Mr. Khandagale in another popular serial ‘Vaadalwaat’.
So effective was his performance as Devram Khandagle, that for three consecutive years he bagged the Zee Puraskar for the best villain, while playing the same role. Isn’t that a biggest hat-trick scored by an actor? It’s surprising that the same actor with another outstanding performance in ‘Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy’ is yet to receive an award.
