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Ashok Saraf is an Indian actor and comedian who mostly appears in Hindi and Marathi films and TV serials. He is well known for his extraordinary comic skills.
Wiki/Biography
Ashok Saraf was born on 4 June 1947 (age 72 years; as in 2019) in Nagpur, Central Provinces and Berar, British India (now in Maharashtra). His hometown is Belgaum in Maharashtra. His zodiac sign is Gemini. He spent most of his childhood at Chikhalwadi in South Mumbai. Saraf attended DGT Vidyalaya, Mumbai. At the age of 18, Saraf started doing Marathi Drama. His first commercial Marathi play was “Yayati Aani Devyani.”
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family, Caste & Wife
Ashok Saraf belongs to a Hindu Family. Not much is known about his parents and siblings. He is married to Nivedita Joshi Saraf, a film and television actress and has a son, Aniket Saraf, who is a pastry chef.
Ashok Saraf with his wife
Ashok Saraf with his family
Ashok was allegedly linked to the Marathi actress, Ranjana Deshmukh. The affair got disclosed when the actress died in an accident.
Ranjana Deshmukh
Career
Ashok Saraf started his acting career in 1969 with the Marathi film “Janaki.” Subsequently, he appeared in films like “Donhi Gharacha Pahuna,” “Jawal Ye Laju Nako,” “Tumacha Amacha Jamala,” “Chimanrao Gundyabhau,” “Deed Shahane,” “Haldikunku,” and “Duniya Kari Salam.” During the 1980s and 90s, he was considered as one of the two Marathi comedy superstars, along with the actor Laxmikant Berde.
Ashok Saraf along with Laxmikant Berde in a Marathi Film
Saraf redefined the term of comedy in the Marathi films “Ashi Hi Banava Banavi,” “Aayatya Gharat Gharoba,” and “Dhum Dhadaka.”
Ashok has played some significant roles in Bollywood films like “Singham,” “Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya,” “Gupt,” “Koyla,” “Yes Boss,” and “Karan Arjun.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIANdtlunfA
He has also featured in TV serials like “Yeh Choti Badi Baatein” and “Hum Paanch” which were very successful. In 2000, he appeared in Sahara TV’s comedy show “Don’t Worry Hojayega” which became very popular.
He owns a production house “Aniket Telefilms.”
Awards
- Filmfare Award for Ram Ram Gangaram (1977)
- Maharashtra Government award for the movie Pandu Havaldar
- Screen Award for the movie Sawai Havaldar
- Bhojpuri Film Award for Maika Bitua
- Best Comedian in Maharashtracha Favorite Kon?
Ashok Saraf receiving an award
Note: Ashok has also received 4 more Filmfare Awards and 10 Awards from the Maharashtra Government for his Marathi Films.
Favourite Things
Directors: Shantaram Bapu, Rajabhau Paranjpe
Facts
- His hobbies include travelling and listening to music.
- He is often called the Samrat Ashoka of the Marathi Film Industry.
- His wife, Nivedita Saraf Joshi is 18 years younger to him.
- In 2017, there were death rumours about the actor but her wife, Nivedita Joshi Saraf, rubbished all the rumours and said that he was completely fine.
- Saraf has acted in a number of Marathi plays including ‘Hamidabaichi Kothi,’ ‘Anidhikrut,’ ‘Manomilan,’ ‘He Ram Cardiogram,’ ‘Darling Darling,’ ‘Sarkha Chatit Dukhtay,’ ‘Laginghai,’ and ‘Vacuum Cleaner.’
Ashok Saraf doing Marathi theatre, Vacuum Cleaner
- He is affectionately called “Mama,” which means maternal uncle.
- Ashok has acted in more than 250 Marathi films, out of which 100 films were commercial successes.
- The actor was once travelling to Kolhapur for the shoot of his film “Mahalakshmi Express.” Back then, the actors received very little fees so he travelled in the second class of the train. While he was on his way, two policemen recognised him and made fun about how poor the actor’s life was. Saraf got so embarrassed with their comments that he hid his face under the blanket for the entire journey.
- Saraf once met with a car accident when he escaped death but was badly injured at his neck. The doctors advised him to take complete rest for 6 months.
- In 2012, he survived another major accident when he was on his way for a press conference for his movie, ‘Gol Gol Dabyatla.’