Ashutosh Rana is an Indian actor, producer, author and TV presenter, who has worked in films in various languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. He is famous for negative characters in films. He has also won the Filmfare Best Villain Award for the Hindi films ‘Dushman’ (1998) in which he played the role of Gokul Pandit and ‘Sangharsh’ (1999) in which he played the role of Lajja Shankar Pandey.
Wiki/Biography
Ashutosh Rana aka Ashutosh Ramnarayan Neekhra was born on Friday, 10 November 1967 (age 55 years; in 2022) in Gadarwara, Madhya Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Ashutosh Rana’s childhood photos
He attended a primary school in Gadarwara, Madhya Pradesh. Later, he attended Christ Church Boys’ Senior Secondary School, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, but his father did not like the culture of the school, so he asked Ashutosh to leave the school. He later completed his schooling in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In his childhood, he used to play Ravana in a ramleela in his village. He studied BA and LLB from Dr HS Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. When he studied in college, he wanted to become a political leader.
Ashutosh Rana during his college days
From 1991 to 1994, he obtained an MA in Drama from the National School of Drama, New Delhi.
National Drama School batch 1994
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Family
He was born into a wealthy Hindu family.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Ram Narayan Neekhra. He has four brothers named Prabhat Neekhra, Nand Kumar Neekhra (professor), Jayant Kumar Neekhra (lawyer in high court), and Madan Mohan Neekhra (vice president of marketing at Shree Krishna Keshav Lab Ltd, vice president at SKKL Limited). Her sister’s name is Kaamini Gupta.
Ashutosh Rana with his father
Ashutosh Rana’s mother
Ashutosh Rana’s brother, Nand Kumar Neekhra
Ashutosh Rana’s brother, Madan Mohan Neekhra
Ashutosh Rana Jayant Neekhra’s brother
Ashutosh Rana with his sister
Wife & Children
Ashutosh Rana met Indian actress Renuka Shahane for the first time on the sets of Hindi film ‘Jayate’ directed by Hansal Mehta. Ashutosh was accompanied by his two friends Rajeshwari Sachdev (singer) and Tejaswini Kolhapure (actress). Rajeshwari befriends Renuka, and she introduces Ashutosh and Renuka. At the first meeting, the two became good friends because they shared the same interests. Later, while chatting with Renuka, Ashutosh said,
Humne my movie aapka kaam dkha hai. Hum aapke bade prashansak hain.”
After their first meeting, they did not see each other for several months. Ashutosh then attends a Diwali party at Indian director Ravi Rai’s house which Renuka also invites, however, he is unable to attend the party. Ashutosh then asks Ravi to share Renuka’s phone number with him. In an interview, recalling those days, Ashutosh said,
He (Ravi) warned me that Renuka does not pick up unknown numbers or check her phone after 10 pm. He’s right. I left a (Dussehra) wish on his answering machine with my name but not my number, hoping he would find a way to contact me.”
During an interview, when Renuka was asked about the incident, she said,
In October, director Ravi Rai is planning a series, and he has Ashutosh, a few others and me in mind. Ravi Rai had thrown a Diwali party at his place where Ashutosh could not attend as he had to give an interview. The next day he called me on my answering machine wishing me Happy Diwali. This was on October 17, he called again on October 19 and finally on October 20, 1998.”
After hearing his voice message, Renuka calls him back, and they talk for an hour. They then began talking daily on the phone, and on December 31, 1998, they met for the second time. Renuka is a bit hesitant about starting a relationship with Ashutosh as she has come out of a bad marriage phase. In an interview, when Ashutosh was asked about Renuka’s first marriage, he said,
His past did not feature in any of our lengthy discussions, no doubt on my part.”
Ashutosh and Renuka then decide to get married, but his mother is a little worried because Ashutosh has a family together, and Renuka’s mother is worried about how he will fit in with them. After dating for two and a half years, the couple tied the knot on 25 May 2001 in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh. In an interview, while talking about the wedding, Renuka said,
We arrived at Damoh station on the morning of the 25th itself and the wedding was scheduled for 12 noon. We were surprised to find that the whole station was crowded with many people as if in a political rally. We literally had to fight our way through the jeeps that had come to receive us. And then we stood in the jeep and waved to the people lined up on both sides of the road.”
Ashutosh Rana wedding pictures
The couple has two sons named Satyendra Rana and Shouryaman Rana.
Ashutosh Rana with his son
Another brother
Indian politician Rameshwar Neekhra is his cousin.
Career
Theater
Ashutosh started his career as a theater artist and performed in many theaters with Satyadev Dubey’s theater group at Prithvi Theatre.
Ashutosh Rana with theater drama actors
TV series
Actor
In 1994, he made his TV debut with the Hindi TV series ‘Tehkikaat’ as Shyam. The TV series aired on DD National.
Tehkikaat TV series
He later acted in several other Hindi TV serials such as ‘Swabhimaan’ (1995), ‘Aahat’ (1995), ‘Saturday Suspense’ (1997), ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ (2003), and ‘Kaali- Ek Agnipariksha’ (2010).
Ashutosh Rana as Tyagi in Swabhimaan (1995)
host
Ashutosh has also hosted several Hindi TV shows such as ‘Baazi Kiski’ (2001), ‘Sarkaar Ki Duniya’ (2009), and ‘Savdhaan India’ (2019).
Ashutosh Rana in ‘Baazi Kiski’ (2001)
Web Series
Ashutosh Rana has acted in Hindi web series such as ‘Chhatrasal’ (2021; MX Player), ‘Aranyak’ (2021; Netflix) and ‘The Great Indian Murder’ (2022; Disney+ Hotstar).
Chhatrasal (2021; MX Players)
Movie
Hindi
Ashutosh made his Bollywood debut with ‘Sanshodhan’ (1996) in which he played the role of Daaman Verma.
Sanshodhan (1996)
In 1997, he acted in the Hindi films ‘Tamanna’ and ‘Krishna Arjun.’ In 1998, he gained immense popularity with his role as Gokul Pandit in the Hindi film ‘Dushman.’
Ashutosh Rana as Gokul Pandit in the Hindi film Dushman
In the same year, he appeared in Hindi films such as ‘Ghulam’ and ‘Zakhm.’ His role as Lajja Shankar Pandey in the Hindi film ‘Sangharsh’ (1999) became very popular.
Sangharsh (1999)
He later appeared in many popular Hindi films such as ‘Raaz’ (2002), ‘LOC: Kargil’ (2003), ‘Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo’ (2004), ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’ (2014), and ‘Rashtra Kavach Om’ (2022).
Ashutosh Rana in LOC- Kargil (2003)
Telugu
In 2004, he made his Telugu debut with the film ‘Venky’ as Yogendra Kumar Sharma.
Ashutosh Rana as Yogendra Kumar Sharma in Venky
He has acted in many Telugu films such as ‘Okka Magadu’ (2008), ‘Balupu’ (2013), ‘Pataas’ (2015), ‘Jai Simha’ (2018), and ‘Kalki’ (2019).
Balupu movie poster
Tamil language
In 2012, Ashutosh made his Tamil debut with the film ‘Vettai’ (2012) as Annachi.
‘Vettai’ (2012)
Some of his other Tamil films are ‘Meaghamann’ (2014), ‘Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum’ (2016), ‘Johnny’ (2018), and ‘Sangathamizhan’ (2019).
Johnny movie poster
Kannada
He made his Kannada debut with the film ‘Vishnusena’ (2005) as Badrinath.
Vishnusena movie poster
His other Kannada films are ‘Kshana Kshana’ (2007) and ‘Avatara Purusha’ (2022).
Kshana Kshana movie poster
Marathi
Ashutosh made his Marathi film debut with ‘Sankasur’ (2013) as Daji Gaokar.
Sankasur (2013)
In the same year, he acted in the Marathi film ‘Yeda.’
Yeda (2013)
Author
He is also an author, and in 2020, he authored Hindi books titled ‘Ramrajya’ and ‘Maun Muskaan Ki Maar.’
Ashutosh Rana’s books
Award
Screen Awards
- 1999: Best Actor in a Negative Role for Dushman
Zee Cine Awards
- 1999: Best Villain for Enemy
- 2000: Best Villain for Sangharsh
Filmfare Awards
- 1999: Best Villain Award for Dushman
Ashutosh Rana received the Filmfare Award for Dushman
- 2000: Best Villain Award for Sangharsh
- 2021: OTT Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film Pagglait
Note: As of 2022, he is one of the actors who has won the maximum number of Filmfare Awards in the Best Villain category.
Other Awards
- 2022: Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Academy Award for his novel ‘Ramrajya’
Car Collection
Net worth
As of 2021, his net worth is around Rs 46 crore.
Favourite
- Food: Aloo Gobhi and Matar ki Sabzi, Rajma Rice
Facts/Trivia
- When Ashutosh cleared his class 11, he celebrated his result by playing drums in his village. In an interview, recalling those days, Ashutosh said,
No one believed that I would pass class 11, but when the results came, I passed with flying colours. My friends and I came in a truck playing drums to announce that I had passed.”
- During the interview, Ashutosh shared the interesting story behind his name. He said that he kept his own name during the pooja at his house. He said,
It was rudra abhishek lord Shiv ji and my parents were chanting the mantra ‘Om Ashutoshaye Namah.’ I then asked my parents what Ashutosh meant, my mother said that it refers to someone who is easily happy. I immediately decided that I will keep my name Ashutosh.”
- His mother died in January 1984 which greatly affected him mentally. Within months of his mother’s death, he met spiritual master Dadda Ji, who helped him come out of the trauma. Since then, Ashutosh became a loyal follower of Dadda Ji. Dadda Jilah who encouraged Ashutosh to create his career in the field of acting.
Ashutosh Rana with his teacher
- When he was in college, he used to have an image of Robinhood. The college students used to take his help to complete their work.
- In his spare time, he likes to read books.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
