Deepak Antani is an Indian-Gujarati actor and director known for his performances as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in theater and films including Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh (2023), Mujib: The Making of Nation (2022), and Gandhiji My Mentor (2016). He is known as a lookalike of Mahatma Gandhi and has played roles in more than 20 short films, TV series, 190 stage plays, and many documentaries.
Wiki/Biography
Deepak Madhukant Antani was born on Sunday, 20 September 1964 (age 58 years; in 2022) in Bhuj, Gujarat. His zodiac sign is Leo. In 1984, he graduated with a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from the Gujarat Board of Technical Education and later he worked as an electrical technician at Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd., Vadodara. In 1988, he followed his passion for acting and enrolled at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat and earned a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts.
Deepak Antani as an NCC cadet during his youth
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 9″
Hair Color: Gray (Half Bald)
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Madhukant Antani and his mother is Jaykumari Antani (deceased).
Deepak Antani with his father
Deepak Antani’s mother
Wife & Children
On 23 June 1989, he married Deepti Antani, an HR consultant at Strategic Strides (until 2022). Together they raised two children, a daughter, Falak Antani, and a son, Tathya Antani. Falak Antani is a freelance artist and Tathya is a business analyst.
Deepak Antani with his wife, Deepti Antani
Deepak Antani with his daughter, Falak Antani
Deepak Antani with his son, Tathya Antani
Address
C – 13, Nebula Apartments, Near Grand Bhagwati, SG Highway, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad (380054)
religion
He is a Hindu.
Career
Actor
Theater & games
On 20 June 2000, Deepak performed in the play ‘Sardar Patel,’ which he wrote to celebrate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 125th birth anniversary. His first effort to play Mahatma Gandhi was through this play.
Deepak Antani as Mahatma Gandhi in a still from Sardar Patel’s 2006 play
Later, he portrayed Gandhi in several Gujarati dramas such as Yug Purush, Bander ki Atmakatha, and Janta ki Adalat.
Deepak Antani featured in the drama ‘Yug Purush’
Movie
In 2016, he made his acting debut with the Hindi film ‘Gandhiji My Mentor’ in which he played the role of Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhiji My Mentor (2016) movie poster
Later, he appeared in several films including Mujib: The Making of Nation (2022), Maare Shu (2022), and Pagal Kar Diya Toone (2019). In 2023, Deepak shared the silver screen with actor Chinmay Mandlekar and essayed the role of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the film Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh. The film will be released on January 26, 2023.
Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh (2023) movie poster
Short film
Deepak Antani has played the role of Mahatma Gandhi in short films including Jawab La Jawab, Gandhiji Ni Garima, Mahatma ke Mahatma, and Jang-e-Azadi production by Shyam Benegal.
TV series
He landed the role of a Gujarati driver in an episode of the TV series The Family Man (2019). Later, he appeared in the series Crime Patrol, Antral, and Ajab sas ki Gajab Bahu on Mubu TV. He portrayed the character of Mahatma Gandhi in the TV Show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in 2019 on Sony SAB TV and Barrister Babu in 2020 on Colors TV.
Deepak Antani posing as Mahatma Gandhi in a still from TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in 2019
Director
Movie
In 2000, he made his directorial debut with a Gujarati film titled Bhav Bhav Na Bharthar.
Gujarati movie poster Bhav Bhav Na Bharthar (2000)
Later, he directed several Gujarati films including Thank You Boss (2022), Pritam Apni Paheli Prit (2017), and Dil Ma Vasto Desh. (2016)
TV series
Deepak Antani has directed more than 1000 episodes of Gujarati TV series including Samvad, Sakhi, Sahiyar, Kadaksinh no haya darbar, Hasya Samrat, Kaki Bhare Paki and Sankalp for DD Girnar.
Other work
After graduation, Deepak worked as a production assistant for thirteen years at Doordarshan. In 2001, Antani worked as a program producer for ETV Gujarati (now called Colors Gujarati) and worked there for two years. From June 2002 to September 2011, he worked with Shree Falak Films where he was involved in directing films, TV Series, live events, theater plays and documentaries. He also participated in acting and script writing. In August 2011, Deepak was appointed as head of channel at Transmedia Limited. From August 2012 to August 2013, he was the chief operating officer at Pranami Broadcasting Limited in Ahmedabad. He is a B+ grade artist at AIR Aakashwani, DD Girnar, and DECU – ISRO.
Publisher
Antani worked as a program producer for DECU’s Divadandi show – ISRO and T’cast on DD Gujarati. Additionally, he produced a Gujarati song by singer Mahesh Kanodia.
Literary works & Publications
Antani has published several articles in magazines and newspapers including Chitralekha magazine, Gujarati Daily, and Complete Cinema. He has also written stories for several award-winning Gujarati films, dramas and TV serials, penned title songs for TV programs, and anchored scripts for several shows. He also prepared the contents of a coffee table book for the Dandi Kutir Museum in Gandhinagar.
Awards & Achievements
- 2004: Best Director for the movie “Bhav Bhav na Bharthar”
- 2007: Best Director for the movie “Kanku Purayu Maa Amba na Chok ma”
- 2013: Best Director for the film “Pritam Aapni Paheli Preet”
- 2019: Recognized as top 100 record holders 2019 for the most number of Mahatma Gandhi-related performances by the Gandhi-Like Indian Book of Records
- 2019: Best Short Film ‘Gandhi Hatya’ under the Ideals of Mahatma Gandhi category at the International Gujarati Film Festival, Los Angeles (USA)
- 2019: Best Actor for a short film Jawab La Jawab at L’age d” or International Art House Film Festival
- 2020: Limca Book of Records for looking like the real Bapu in Gandhi costume
Happy sharing another Achievement. It is *”Limca Book of Records”* now, After “Indian Book of Records – 2019”. Playing the Character of Mahatma Gandhi has given me many prestigious opportunities to work with @ShyamBenegal @RajkumarSanto12 #LimcaBookofRecords#mahatmagandhiji pic.twitter.com/nQOBb20F8q
— DEEPAK ANTANI (@ANTANID20) October 12, 2022
Facts/Trivia
- He is fluent in several Indian languages such as Gujarati, Hindi, and English.
- Deepak Antani has also lent his voice as Mahatma Gandhi to documentaries and in many museums including the Mahatma Gandhi Museum, Rajkot.
- In 2016, he received a special award for his drama ‘Sardar Patel.’
- According to Deepak, he is an approved artiste on All India Radio and Doordarshan.
- Deepak appeared as a virtual Mahatma Gandhi during the “Walk with Gandhi” event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum in Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Pranab Mukherjee and Narendra Modi.
- Deepak was felicitated by an audience of 8000 for directing the team and playing Mahatma Gandhi for the drama Yug Purush (Mahatma na Mahatma). Deepak along with his team performed 166 shows in less than 240 days, covering around 100 venues in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- The Hindi Feature Film Gandhiji My Mentor (2016) in which Deepak starred was an official selection for Chandler International Film Festival (2016), 5th New Jersy Film Festival (2016), New York Indian Film Festival (2016), MIAMI Independent Film (2016 ), and UK Monthly Film Festival (2016).
- From 16 to 22 January 2019, Deepak Antani walked 150 km in 6 days as Gandhiji during the ‘PadYatra’ event starting from Manar village in Bhagwan Nagar district and ending at Lok Bharti Sansthan in Sanosara village, Gujarat.
- He is an invited member of the Micro Committee for Film Subsidy Policy Making of the Government of Gujarat.
- In 2022, Deepak Antani appeared in a music video for a song titled Jadu Salona by Amit Trivedi.
Deepak Antani in a still from the music video of the song ‘Jadu Salona’ (2022)
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
