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Laxmikant Berde was an Indian actor who mainly appeared in Marathi and Hindi films. Apart from films, he was a well-known name in the world of Marathi theatres.
Wiki/Biography
Laxmikant Berde was born on Tuesday, 26 October 1954 (age 50 years; at the time of death) in Ratnagiri, Bombay State (now Mumbai). His zodiac sign is Scorpio. During his childhood, he used to perform in Ganesh pooja pandals. He then worked as an assistant at the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, Maharashtra (an auditorium) and used to pull curtains in the theatre plays organised at the auditorium. After watching actors performing in the stage shows, he developed an interest in acting.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
He had five elder siblings, and one of his elder brothers’ name is Purshottam Berde, who is a well-known Indian play writer.
Laxmikant Berde’s mother
Laxmikant Berde’s elder brother Purshottam Berde
Wife & Children
In 1985, he got married to the Marathi actress Ruhi Berde, and within three years of their marriage, Ruhi passed away.
Laxmikant Berde’s first wife, Ruhi Berde
He then fell in love with the Marathi actress Priya Arun, and soon, they started dating each other. Later, they moved in together. Reportedly, it is not confirmed that he got married to Priya Arun, but he always introduced Priya as his wife in the media. The couple has two children, a son, Abhinay Berde, and a daughter, Tejaswini Berde; both are actors.
Laxmikant Berde’s old picture with his son and Priya Berde
Laxmikant Berde’s wife Priya and children
The famous Marathi actor, Ravindra Berde, is his uncle.
Laxmikant Berde’s uncle Ravindra Berde
Address
105, Nirakaar, B Wing, 1st Floor Kalyan Complex, Yari Road, Versova, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400061
Career
As a Theatre Artist
While he was working as an assistant at Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, Maharashtra, he got an offer to play small roles in various theatre plays. He got a big role for the first time in the Marathi theatre play ‘Tur Tur’ directed by the Indian play writer Purshottam Berde in 1983-1984. He then performed in various Marathi theatre plays including ‘Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe,’ ‘Karti Premat Padli,’ and ‘Uchalbangadi.’
As an Actor
Marathi Films
In 1984, he debuted as an actor in the Marathi film ‘Lek Chalali Sasarla’ in which he played the role of Deepak Waghmare.
‘Lek Chalali Sasarla’ film poster
Laxmikant, along with the Marathi actor Mahesh Kothare, appeared in various Marathi films such as ‘De Danadan’ (1987), ‘Thartharat’ (1989), ‘Zapatlela’ (1993), and ‘Majha Chakula’ (1994).
A still of Laxmikant Berde from Zapatlela
In 1989, the trio of the Marathi actors Laxmikant Berde, Ashok Saraf, and Sachin Pilgaonkar gained immense popularity with their roles in the Marathi film ‘Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi.’
Laxmikant Berde, Ashok Saraf, and Sachin Pilgaonkar on the sets of Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi
Berde acted in various superhit Marathi films with the legendary Marathi actor Ashok Saraf. The duo appeared in Marathi films such as ‘Bhutacha Bhau’ (1989), ‘Changu Mangu’ (1990), and ‘Aayatya Gharat Gharoba’ (1991). During that era, the on-screen Jodi of Laxmikant and Ashok became one of the popular jodis in Marathi films.
Laxmikant Berde with Ashok Saraf
Some of his other Marathi films are ‘Khatarnak’ (2000), ‘Dekhni Bayko Namyachi’ (2001), ‘Aadharstambh’ (2003), and ‘Pachadlela’ (2004).
Laxmikant Berde in Pachadlela (2004)
Hindi Films
Laxmikant made his Hindi film debut in ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989) in which he played the role of Manohar Singh.
A snippet from ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989)
He mainly played the sidekick in the Hindi films for which he received great appreciation from the audience. Some of the Hindi films in which he has acted are ‘Saajan’ (1991), ‘Phool Aur Angaar’ (1993), ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’ (1994), ‘Dil Kya Kare’ (1999), and ‘Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin’ (2004).
Laxmikant Berde in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
Other Work
Before a few years of his death, he started his film production house ‘Abhinay Arts’ in Mumbai along with his wife Priya Berde.
Awards
Filmfare Awards (Marathi)
- 1986: Won Best Actor Award for Dhum Dhadaka
Filmfare Awards (Hindi)
- 1990: Nominated for the Best Comic Actor for Maine Pyar Kiya
- 1992: Nominated for the Best Comic Actor for 100 Days
- 1993: Nominated for the Best Comic Actor for Beta
- 1995: Nominated for the Best Comic Actor for Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
Death
On 16 December 2004, he died of kidney failure at around 2:45 pm, and he was cremated at the Oshiwara Crematorium, Jogeshwari West, Mumbai. Various popular Marathi actors like Ashok Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar, and Mahesh Kothare were present at the cremation. According to a media source,
He had been ailing for three months and had been undergoing dialysis for a considerable time. However, his condition deteriorated early this morning and he passed away at his suburban home.”
Facts/Trivia
- His fans used to call him Lakshyaa.
- He was born in a middle-class family and used to live in a chawl in his childhood. To help his family financially, he used to sell lottery tickets as a kid.
- Since his childhood, he was inclined towards acting. He used to act in naataks during the Konkanast Samaj Ganesh festival.
- He won various prizes for various acting competitions during his school and inter-college days. During an interview, Berde talked about being a theatre artist, he said,
The stage was a learning process for me. When I travelled all over, I had the opportunity to read the pulse of the audience. What I learned during these jaunts, is that “laughter was different everywhere. For a single situation, people from different places react differently.”
- Reportedly, he was a ventriloquist and was well versed in playing the guitar.
- During an interview, while talking about Berde, the Indian actress Bhagyashree said,
It was my first film, and Salman, me and Sooraj all were fairly young and new to the industry. But Laxmikant ji was a star on our set. His comic timing was impeccable, no matter what the scene was, he had this amazing ability to transform that only by his funny expressions. He was also very humble, and never showed that he came from an industry where he was a superstar.”
- While remembering Berde, his co-actor Mahesh Kothare said,
He was clearly passionate and dedicated to acting, which was reflected in his work. He would go to any extent without thinking of the consequences, Kothare recalls. We were filming a shooting sequence for Dhadakebaaz and I put an arrangement of bullet and barrel on his palm connected to a battery. The sequence went really nice. But later we found out that the bullet had backfired during the sequence and Berde injured himself. He never told us and continued with the scene.”
Laxmikant Berde with Mahesh Kothare
- In the Hindi film ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’ (1994), Laxmikant and his wife Priya were cast together, in which Berde played the role of Lallu Prasad, and Priya played the character of Chameli.