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Sanjay Goradia is an Indian actor, director and producer who has produced and acted in more than a hundred Gujarati plays. He has also worked as an actor in several Hindi and Gujarati films and has produced many television shows (Hindi and Gujarati).
Wiki/Biography
Sanjay Goradia was born on Thursday, 17 September 1959 (age 64 years; as of 2023) in Delvada, Gujarat. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He did his schooling at Lilavati Lalji Dayal High School, Mumbai. He is a graduate. Sanjay was born in Gujarat but moved to Mumbai when he was a kid. He lived in a chawl of a farm. His father had a tobacco and alcohol addiction, which caused daily fights and impacted Sanjay a lot. His school fees were sometimes not paid on time, and his school uniform was also never clean. Sanjay faced a lot of difficulties from a young age. He mentioned in an interview that he had an older sister who passed away when she was around 2 years old. His brother Paresh also died when he was around 16 or 17 years old. His father had a stroke when Sanjay was only 18 years old. After his father passed away, they managed their expenses through the Ayurveda store their family-owned. It was located on the main road beneath the jam mill in Lalbagh. Sanjay’s uncle Ramesh looked after the shop and also helped with their expenses. While things were tough at home, his youngest brother became addicted to alcohol. He would often ask their mother for money. After seeing how things were at home, he began working at a medical store. In 1979, he began doing plays and sent money to his family. He wanted to act, but due to financial conditions and a lack of connections in the industry, he started with backstage work. He didn’t pursue acting seriously because he thought better-looking people were struggling, so he might not have a chance.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Black (semi-bald)
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Sanjay’s mother’s name is Jyotsna Goradia, who was a theatre artist.
He had an elder sister, who died at the age of 2. He had two younger brothers Paresh, who died at the age of 17 or 18 and Himanshu, who also died due to alcohol addiction.
Wife & Children
Sanjay got married to Chanda Goradia on 7 February 1991.
Together, they have a son, Amatya Goradia.
Career
Sanjay’s theatre journey began in 1979 when he worked behind the scenes for the play “Pagla Ghoda,” directed by Latesh Shah and performed at Elphinstone College. Sanjay remained dedicated to working behind the scenes and advanced from being a production manager to becoming a producer. He used to do small roles in a few plays, and when he found a financial supporter, he began producing plays. After that, he received the opportunity to work as Shafi Inamdar’s assistant. They teamed up to produce numerous Gujarati plays.
Producer
Gujarati
Sanjay produced the first play “Chhel and Chhabo.” He produced the Gujarati plays Pati Yane Patangiyun, Chhanu Ne Chhapnu Kai Thai Nai (2002), Chokat Rani Chaar Gulam, Mummy Vees Ni Dikri Chalis Ni (2006), and Rupiya Ni Rani Ne Dolario Raja. He made his debut by producing the television show Madhu Ithe An Chandra Tithe (2011).
He produced the Gujarati television shows Azunahi Chaand Raat Ahe, Tari ankh No Afini, Aa Family Comedy Che, Kumkum Na Pagla Padya, and Sukh Mare Angane on Colors Gujarati.
Hindi
He produced the Hindi play Maa Retire Hoti Hai (1999), Pati,-Patni Aur Mein (2001), Chupkay Chupkay (2003), Hum Le Gaye Tum Rahe Gaye, and Lali Lila.
Director
Gujarati
He directed the Gujarati plays Baa Retire Thai Chhe, Shukan Sava Rupiyo (1998), Tako Mundo Taon Taon, Paranya Toye Punchhadi Vanki, Chup Raho Khush Raho, and De Taali Kona Baap Ni Diwali.
Actor
Gujarati
He began acting when he was 45 years old in the play “Chagan Magan Tara Chhapre Lagan.” After working as a producer in the play Chhel and Chhabo, he appeared in the iconic play Chitkar which was a hit at that time. He appeared in other Gujarati plays including Bharat Hamari Mata Baap Hamara Hijda, Ankh Minchi Ne Bolo Jaihind, Ame Lai Gaya Tame Rahi Gaya, Chal Chandu Parni Jayae, Karo Kanku Na (1994), and Rupiya Ni Rani Ne Dolario Raja.
He made his debut with the show Shrimaan Shrimati (1994).
He acted in Hindi television shows including Naya Nukkad (1986), Kabhi Yeh Kabhi Woh (1994), Teri Bi Chup Meri Bi Chup (1995), Hum Paanch (1995), Thodi Khushi Thode Gham (2006), Filmi Chakker (2019). He made his debut in the Gujarati film Ventilator (2018) as Jayu.
He appeared in Gujarati films Baap No Bagicho (2022), Kehvatlal Parivar (2022), and Vaahlam Jaao Ne (2022).
Hindi
In 1989, he made his debut with the film Ram Lakhan.
He appeared in Hindi films including Rangeela (1995), Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin (1996), Kachche Dhaage (1999), Made In China (2019), and Chhichhore (2019).
Writer
He wrote two Gujarati plays Shukan Sava Rupiyo (1998) and Tako Mundo Taon Taon.
Awards
- 2022: Gujarat Pride Ratna Award by the Speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly
- 2023: Girnar Award from Bruhad Mumbai Gujarati Samaj
Car Collection
He owns a Scorpio.
Facts/Trivia
- Sanjay follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- His first successful Hindi play was “Maa Retire Hoti Hai” in 1999, which brought him a lot of fame. Following this hit, he purchased a house and quickly got married to the first girl he met. When his son was born, he bought a new house in Lokhanvala. He invited his mother to stay with them, but she insisted he take his younger brother along. Sanjay was hesitant to bring his addicted brother with him.
- In an interview, he mentioned that whenever he sent money home, his brother would take it and pressure their father to ask for more money.
- When Sanjay produced his first Gujarati play “Chhel and Chhabo,” he wanted to include Dilip Joshi in the cast, but Dilip was occupied at that moment. After waiting a while and not finding another actor, the director Latesh Shah proposed that Sanjay himself take on the role. Sanjay initially said no, but eventually, because he couldn’t find a suitable replacement, he agreed to act in the play.
- He has performed in plays alongside famous Bollywood actors like Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Sharman Joshi, and Javed Jaffrey.
- In an interview, he mentioned that he began feeling bored after directing 25 plays.
- When he performed in the Gujarati play “Fatehchand Nun Phulekun,” it didn’t gain much attention. Following the play’s failure, he established Sanjay Goradia Productions.
- Sanjay was among the producers who began filming and recording their plays on DVDs. He also began selling the rights to these recordings.
- In an interview, he mentioned that he made a few sacrifices to become an actor. He avoided drinking cold water to keep his voice clear, and thought a lot before speaking.
- In an interview, he stated that 19 of his plays were available on the OTT platform.
- He often posts pictures of himself consuming alcohol on social media.