Indian actor and comedian (b.1947)
Ashok Saraf (born 4 June 1947) is an Indian actor and comedian, known for his work inMarathi andHindi films along withtheatre in both languages. Saraf has received several awards including elevenMaharashtra State Film Awards and fourFilmfare Awards Marathi . He is referred to as theMahanayak (lit. ' Greatest Actor ' ),Ashok Samrat orMama of the Marathi film industry ,[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] Filmfare Marathi Lifetime Achievement Award for his Contribution to Marathi cinema.[ 4] Maharashtra Bhushan , the highest civilian honour in the Indian state ofMaharashtra .[ 5] Padma Shri , India's fourth-highest civilian honour, from theGovernment of India in 2025.[ 6] [ 7]
From the early 1980s, Saraf started getting leading roles in Marathi films. The combination of Ashok Saraf,Laxmikant Berde ,Sachin Pilgaonkar andMahesh Kothare created the "comedy films wave" in Marathi cinema from 1985 that lasted for more than a decade. His successful Marathi films as the lead hero includeEk Daav Bhutacha Dhum Dhadaka Gammat Jammat Bhutacha Bhau Balache Baap Brahmachari Ashi hi Banawa Banavi Aayatya Gharat Gharoba
In Bollywood he worked in many movies such asKaran Arjun Yes Boss Joru Ka Ghulam Navra Mazha Navsacha Singham Navra Mazha Navsacha 2 sitcoms .[ 8]
Saraf was born inBombay , (present dayMumbai ) on 4 June 1947.[ 9] [ 10] South Mumbai neighbourhood of Chikhalwadi and went to DGT Vidyalay for his education.[ 11] Ashok Kumar .[ 10]
Saraf has been working in the film and television industry since 1969.[ 12] [ 13] Janaki in 1969.[ 3] Donhi Gharacha Pahuna ,Jawal Ye Laju Nako ,Tumcha Aamcha Jamla ,Chimanrao Gundyabhau ,Deed Shahane ,Haldi Kunku ,Duniya Kari Salam and more during the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to work in Marathi films withLaxmikant Berde ,Sachin andMahesh Kothare .Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi Aayatya Gharat Gharoba Balache Baap Brahmachari Bhutacha Bhau Dhum Dhadaka [ 14]
Saraf has also acted in various Marathi plays and Hindi serials. He then developed his own production house "Aniket Telefilms", which is handled by his wifeNivedita Saraf .[ 15]
Marathi film career [ edit ] Saraf in 2019, In 1980s along with actorLaxmikant Berde Saraf did many hitcomedy genre films likeAshi Hi Banwa Banwi ,Balache Baap Brahmachari . Saraf had success pairing withLaxmikant Berde , another comedian from Marathi cinema who has also acted in many Hindi films. With Saraf, Berde andSachin Pilgaonkar acted in many Marathi films.[ 16] Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi Dhananjay Mane with the two reigning superstars of Marathi cinema,Sachin Pilgaonkar andLaxmikant Berde . The movie was a runaway hit.[ 17] [ 18]
Saraf played important roles inBollywood . Some of the roles which are remembered are from the filmsSingham Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya Gupt Koyla Yes Boss Joru Ka Ghulam Karan Arjun [ 19]
Hindi television serials [ edit ] Saraf has also starred in successful television serials likeYeh Choti Badi Baatein andHum Paanch [ 15] Don't Worry Ho Jayega Sahara TV in the 1990s.[ 19]
Marathi play career [ edit ] Saraf has played a number of roles in Marathi plays in his career. Some of the important plays areHamidabaichi Kothi ,Anadhikrut ,Mano-milan ,He Ram Cardiogram ,Darling Darling ,Sarkha Chatit Dukhtay ,Laginghai , andVacuum Cleaner .[ 20]
Saraf has been described in the Indian media as one of the most versatile actor. Saraf is also known by his pet name "Mama".[ 21]
In 2022, on the 75th birth anniversary of Saraf, a stage show were held in Mumbai byZee Marathi .[ 22] [ 23] Laxmikant Berde emerged as "superstars" in Marathi cinema, marking an unmatched phenomenon in the industry. The films of Saraf and Berde accounted for most of thebox office gross in Marathi cinema.[ 24] [ 25] [ 26]
Saraf with wifeNivedita Joshi-Saraf at premiere of Marathi filmDeool Band He is married to actressNivedita Joshi-Saraf in 1990.[ 27] Mangueshi Temple inGoa , where Saraf's family is originally from.[ 28] chef .[ 9] [ 29]
Saraf survived a major car accident in the year 2012 on theMumbai Pune Expressway nearTalegaon .[ 30]
^ "Patrya Maruti Ganpati's one-of-a-kind tribute to Ashok Saraf" .Pune Mirror Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved15 October 2023 .Ashok Saraf was honoured for his lifetime achievement and thought it would be a nice idea for the procession display and his contribution to the film industry is remarkable, and the "Mahanayak " deserves to be shown love and gratitude in every way possible ^ "Kon Honar Crorepati : मराठी सिनेसृष्टीचे महानायक अशोक सराफ येणार 'कोण होणार करोडपती'च्या मंचावर" .ABP Majha . Retrieved15 October 2023 .मराठी मनोरंजनसृष्टी ज्यांनाअशोक मामा म्हणून ओळखते असं अभिनयाचं ज्येष्ठ अभिनेते अशोक सराफ [Veteran actor Ashok Saraf, who is known asAshok Mama in the Marathi entertainment industry]^a b सिंह, शशि (4 June 2022)."Ashok saraf: ठाकुर तो गियो से हवलदार पांडु तक हर किरदार बनाया यादगार, कभी सुने हैं अशोक सराफ के ये किस्से?" .Amar Ujala Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved17 October 2023 . ^ "Ashok Saraf Films and Shows – Apple TV" .Apple TV . Retrieved24 September 2025 .^ "Veteran actor Ashok Saraf to be conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2023" .India Today . Retrieved31 January 2024 .^ "Nivedita Saraf expresses her happiness as Ashok Saraf is conferred with Padma Shri: 'It was long overdue' - Exclusive" .The Times of India . 26 January 2025.^ "Padma Awards 2025 announced" .pib.gov.in . Retrieved5 February 2025 .^ "त्या मुलीने मामा बनवले" .Maharashtra Times Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved14 February 2016 .^a b "B'day: पत्नीपेक्षा 18 वर्षांनी मोठे आहेत अशोक सराफ, या कारणामुळे गोव्यात केले होते लग्न" .Divya Marathi Archived from the original on 28 April 2023. Retrieved12 July 2019 .^a b "Ashok Saraf's punctuality" .The Times of India .ISSN 0971-8257 . Retrieved5 December 2023 .^ "Ashok Saraf: Interesting facts about the actor" .The Times of India .ISSN 0971-8257 . Retrieved5 December 2023 .^ "Ashok Saraf: Interesting facts about the actor" .The Times of India . 9 October 2018.ISSN 0971-8257 . Retrieved24 September 2025 .^ "Ashok Saraf: Interesting facts about the actor" .The Times of India . 9 October 2018.ISSN 0971-8257 . Retrieved24 September 2025 .^ " .Loksatta Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved14 February 2016 .^a b "Ashok Saraf - Maharashtra Mandal Qatar" .Maharashtra Mandal Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved5 December 2023 .^ "सचिन, महेश दोघांची शैली वेगळी आहे- अशोक सराफ" .Marathi Webdunia .Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved14 February 2016 .^ "गुणी आणि दमदार अभिनेता - अशोक सराफ" .Marathi World .Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved14 February 2016 .^ "अशोक सराफ" .Maharashtra Times Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved14 February 2016 .^a b "बैंक से लेकर बॉलीवुड तक, कुछ ऐसा रहा है अशोक सराफ का सफर" .ABP News . Retrieved17 October 2023 .^ "Vacuum Cleaner Marathi Natak Review" .Rangbhoomi.com (in Marathi). 12 November 2021.Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved28 November 2021 .^ Naik, Payal Shekhar (4 June 2022)."अशोक सराफ सगळ्यांचे मामा कसे झाले ठाऊक आहे का? वाचा त्यामागची भन्नाट स्टोरी" .Hindustan Times Marathi (in Marathi). Retrieved27 March 2024 . ^ "Sunday होणार स्पेशल! अशोक मामांची बहुरंगी कारकीर्द दिसणार 'या' स्पेशल कार्यक्रमात" .News18 लोकमत (in Marathi). 1 July 2022. Retrieved27 March 2024 .^ "Zee Marathi's Special Show to Celebrate Ashok Saraf's 50-Year Journey in Acting" .News18 . 2 July 2022. Retrieved27 March 2024 .^ Sharma, Unnati (16 December 2019)."Laxmikant Berde, Marathi superstar who was much beyond the characters he's remembered for" .ThePrint . Retrieved27 March 2024 . ^ Das, Kusumika (4 June 2023)."Happy Birthday Ashok Saraf: Karan Arjun To Yes Boss, Have A Look At Iconic Roles Of Marathi Superstar In Bollywood" .Zoom TV . Retrieved27 March 2024 . ^ "मराठी सिनेसृष्टीचा बादशाह आहेत अशोक सराफ, पण बॉलिवूडला त्यांची किंमत कळलीच नाही" .Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). 23 July 2023. Retrieved27 March 2024 .^ "From marrying an actor twice her age to playing a lead at 54: A look at 'Agga Bai Sasubai' fame Nivedita Ashok Saraf's life" .The Times of India . 16 December 2019. Retrieved16 November 2020 .^ "Ashok Saraf Birthday Special: अशोक सराफ आणि निवेदिता सराफ यांनी मुंबईत लग्न न करता गोव्यातील या मंदिरात केले होते लग्न" .Lokmat (in Marathi). 4 June 2019.Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved23 November 2019 .^ "Aggabai Sasubai actor Nivedita Saraf wishes son Aniket on his birthday; writes a heartfelt note" .The Times of India . 21 April 2020. Retrieved4 September 2020 .^ "अशोक सराफ अपघातातून बचावले" .Zee News (in Marathi). 15 January 2012.Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved4 November 2019 .^a b c d e f g h i j "Ashok Saraf" .indiarocking.com . Archived fromthe original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved14 February 2024 .^a b "अभिनयसम्राट अशोक सराफ" .agrowon.com . 6 November 2011. Archived fromthe original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved14 February 2024 .^ "8th Annual Screen Awards" .Screen India . Archived fromthe original on 17 January 2002. Retrieved14 February 2024 .^ "Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? 2009" .Sakal the original on 1 September 2013. Retrieved13 February 2024 .^ Valecha, Rohan; Risbood, Vaibhavi V; Sonavane, Gaurav (28 October 2017)."Jio Filmfare Awards Marathi 2017: Complete winners' list" .The Times of India . Retrieved14 February 2024 . ^ "Ashok Saraf conferred with Kala Gaurav Award" .marathimovieworld.com . 27 April 2016. Retrieved14 February 2024 .^ "Ashok Saraf to receive PIFF award" .Hindustan Times . 29 November 2021. Retrieved27 March 2024 .^ "अशोक सराफ, राणी बंग, रितेश देशमुख यांच्यासह नऊ जणांचा माझा सन्मान पुरस्काराने गौरव" .ABP (in Marathi). 14 August 2022. Retrieved13 February 2024 .^ "Announcement of Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna)" (PDF) .Sangeet Natak Akademi (Press release). New Delhi. 27 February 2024. Retrieved17 March 2024 .^ "Zee Chitra Gaurav 2023: 'अशोक सराफ म्हणजे...', झी चित्रगौरव पुरस्कार सोहळ्यात मराठी कलाकार Emotional, मामांच्याही डोळ्यात पाणी | Zee Chitra Gaurav 2023 comedy king veteran actor ashok saraf received jeevan gaurav puraskar" .Zee News (in Marathi). 23 March 2023. Retrieved14 February 2024 .^ Bose, Mrityunjay (30 January 2024)."Ashok Saraf to be conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan" .Deccan Herald . Retrieved14 February 2024 . ^ बेंद्रे, अनिश (12 March 2025)."पाणी, इंद्रायणीचा 'मटा सन्मान'वर ठसा; वैदेही, समीर, शर्वरी सर्वोत्कृष्ट, विजेत्यांची संपूर्ण यादी" .Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved22 March 2025 . ^ "Marathi actor Ashok Saraf honoured with Padma Shri" .Mid-day . 28 May 2025. Retrieved28 May 2025 .^ "Padma Awards 2025: Ashok Saraf, Mamata Shankar, Arijit Singh, Ajith Kumar honoured by President Droupadi Murmu" .^ "अशोक सराफ यांचा राष्ट्रपती द्रौपदी मुर्मूंच्या हस्ते पद्मश्री पुरस्काराने गौरव, म्हणाले- "माझ्या जीवनातील विशेष क्षण..." .Lokmat (in Marathi). 27 May 2025. Retrieved28 May 2025 .^ "Ashok Saraf Receives Maharashtra Bhushan Award - Highest Civilian Honour" .Times of India . Retrieved28 May 2025 .^ "Ashok Saraf, Rajeev Verma, Bombay Jayashri to receive Sangeet Natak Akademi Award" .deccanherald . Retrieved28 May 2025 .^ "State to fete Rajnikant, Ashok Saraf" .dna india . Retrieved28 May 2025 .
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