Sadashiv Amrapurkar is a veteran Indian actor known for playing villainous and comic characters, enthralling audiences with his unique style in a career spanning over three decades. Her most iconic role was ‘Maharani,’ a cruel eunuch in the Bollywood film ‘Sadak’ (1991). He also received a Filmfare for his performance in Sadak.
Wiki/Biography
Sadashiv was born on Thursday, 11 May 1950 (age 64 years; at time of death) in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. He did his schooling at AES Navin Marathi Shala, Ahmednagar and then pursued BA at Ahmednagar College. Sadashiv later got his MA in History and MA in Sociology at Pune’s Savitribai Phule University.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 7″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family & Caste
Sadashiv Amrapurkar was born into a Maharashtrian Brahmin family.
Parents & Siblings
Sadashiv’s father was a businessman. He has a younger brother. Not much information is available about his parents and siblings.
Relationships, Wife & Children
Sadashiv married his high school sweetheart Sunanda Karmarkar on 12 June 1973. He is survived by three daughters, Ketaki Amarapurkar Jategaonkar, Rima Amarapurkar (a film director), and Dr Sayali Jahagirdar.
Sadashiv Amrapurkar with his wife
Sadashiv Amrapurkar with his wife and daughter Rima
Sadashiv Amrapurkar with his family (Ketaki on the far left and Sayali in the middle)
Address
A/201 Panchdhara, Off Yari Road, Versova, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400058
Signature/Autograph
Career
Sadashiv always had a knack for acting, and he was very active on stage during his school and college days. At the age of 21, he started doing theater. He acted in and directed more than 50 plays. Sadashiv started working in Marathi films with his debut film Aamras (1976). Sadashiv was discovered by producer Govind Nihalani during a Marathi drama titled ‘Hands Up’ in 1981 which gave him an opportunity in his film ‘Ardh Satya’ to play the role of ‘Rama Shetty’ (the negative lead). The film was a huge success, and Sadashiv also earned a Filmfare for his performance.
Sadashiv Amrapurkar in ‘Ardh Satya’
The 1987 Bollywood film ‘Hukumat’ made Sadashiv a villain in Hindi cinema. The film did more business at the box office than Mr India, which released in the same year. Sadashiv’s role as ‘Maharani’ in the 1992 Bollywood film Sadak is considered one of his best performances. Sadashiv earned a Filmfare for his performance as the negative lead, and it was the first year Filmfare was awarded in this category.
Sadashiv’s TV debut was in Shyam Benegal’s epic TV series ‘Bharat Ek Khoj.’ He played the role of social reformer ‘Mahatama Jyotirao Phule.’
Sadashiv Amrapurkar in ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’
He shifted his focus to comic roles around the mid-90s with films like ‘Ishq (1997),’ ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999),’ ‘Coolie No 1 (1995),’ ‘Aunty No 1 (1998),’ and many more.
After a significant gap in his appearances in Bollywood films, Sadashiv last appeared in Dibakar Banerjee’s ‘Bombay Talkies’ in 2012. In an interview, when asked about his break from Bollywood, he said,
“Why should I? I never said I retired or didn’t want to do films anymore. It’s just that the roles that came to me were often repetitive and I was brave enough to turn them down. Earlier, when I started my career at the age of 32, I wanted to do films to be recognized. Once I established myself as an actor, it was about making money for the family. But now it’s different. As you get older, your priorities change.”
Award
- 1984 (Winner): Best Supporting Actor for Ardh Satya (1983)
- 1992 (Winner): Best Performance by an Actor in a Negative Role for Sadak (1991)
- 1998 (Nominated): Best Performance by an Actor in a Negative Role for Ishq (1997)
Controversy
Sadashiv was attacked by a group of people in his neighboring community after he protested the wastage of water in a rain dance during Holi in 2013.
Death
Sadashiv died on Monday, November 3, 2014 at the age of 64. He died of Pulmonary Fibrosis (a lung infection) at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. His last rites were performed in his hometown, Ahmednagar. His death was condoled by many influential people including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
We will remember Sadashiv Amrapurkar as a versatile actor, popular across generations. TORN My condolences to his family.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 3, 2014
Facts/Trivia
- Sadashiv’s real name is Ganesh Kumar Narwode, which he changed at the age of 24. She is nicknamed Tatya by her friends and family members.
- He loves photography and likes to spend his free time reading and sketching with pastels.
Sadashiv Amrapurkar did the photography
- In his youth, Sadashiv trained as a singer and wanted to pursue it as a career, but he stopped singing because of his high nasal baritone.
- He was also a good athlete, and he played first-class cricket in the Ranji Trophy. He is known for his commendable batting skills.
- The actor once shared the story of why he signed the film ‘Elaan-E-Jung.’ He said that his character was supposed to ride a horse in the film, and that the actor had always wanted to ride a horse. However, he fell off a horse on the first day of filming, and thus, he drove a jeep in the entire film.
Sadashiv Amrapurkar in the film Hukumat
- Sadashiv had an abiding interest in theatre. When he was asked to choose between film and theatre, he said that theater was his lifeblood.
- Sadashiv is known for his social work and philanthropy. He worked towards the welfare of the underprivileged from a very young age. He also contributed to many social organizations like Samajik Krutadnyata Nidhi, Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, Snehalaya, Lokshahi Prabodhan Vyaspeeth, Ahmednagar Aitihasik Vastu Sangrahalaya, and many others.
- Think Global Foundation in Ahmednagar has created an award titled ‘Late Sadashiv Amarapurkar Award’ in his memory.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
