Mahesh Manjrekar

Manjrekar worked across film director, actor, film producer, screenwriter and television actor. This article rests on 1 scholarly references drawn from named institutional registers. Every statement below returns to a source shown in the evidence panel; where the record is silent or divided, the article says so instead of resolving it.

• Born — 16 August 1958 • Birthplace — Mumbai, Maharashtra, India • Children — 3 (including Saiee Manjrekar) • Name — Mahesh Manjrekar • Political Party — Maharashtra Navnirman Sena • Occupation — * Actor • director • screenwriter • producer • Years Active — 1975–present

Mahesh Manjrekar was born on 16 August 1958 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He completed his schooling at Don Bosco High School in Mumbai and later attended the University of Mumbai for his higher education. He developed an interest in acting from an early age and began performing in theatre while in college. In 1984, he began his acting career with the Marathi stage play Aflatoon.

• Illustration — Manjrekar with family Manjrekar was married to Deepa Mehta, a costume designer, with whom he has two children - Satya and Ashwami.; the couple later divorced. He subsequently married Medha Manjrekar, with whom he has a daughter, actress Saiee Manjrekar. He has a stepdaughter from Medha's first husband, Gauri Ingawale, who is also an actress.

Manjrekar began his acting career with the Marathi film Jeeva Sakha (1991), in which he portrayed Inspector Jamdade. He made his directorial debut with the Marathi film Aai (1995), for which he received the Filmfare Award for Best Director. In 1999, Manjrekar directed Vaastav: The Reality, which became a critical and commercial success and earned him a Filmfare Award. In 2000, he directed Astitva, for which he received National Film Award for Best Marathi Feature Film and the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Director. He also directed Nidaan, Kurukshetra and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai during this period. In 2002, Manjrekar appeared in Kaante, for which he won IIFA Award for Best Comedian. The same year, he directed Hathyar, a sequel to Vaastav: The Reality. In 2003, he produced and acted in Praan Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye. In 2004, he appeared in Plan as Sultan, Run as Ganpat and Musafir as Lukka. In 2005, he appeared in the English-language film It Was Raining That Night as Brij Bhushan and made his Kannada film debut in Encounter: Daya Nayak, playing Yousuf Khaleel. He also directed Viruddh... Family Comes First and Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! that year. He wrote the screenplay for the Marathi film Matichya Chuli, for which he received the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Screenplay. He also participated as a contestant on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. In 2007, he appeared in Dus Kahaniyaan and made his Telugu film debut with Okkadunnadu, in which he played Sona Bhai. He also appeared in Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav as Advocate Prasad and Deha as Madhav. In 2008, he appeared in Meerabai Not Out as Manoj Achrekar and in the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire as Don Javed. He also appeared in the Telugu film Homam, playing Daddy. In 2009, Manjrekar wrote and starred in the Marathi film Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy!, portraying Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film became the highest-grossing Marathi film at the time, earning approximately ₹25 crore. He also appeared in the Hindi films Wanted as Talpade and 99 as AGM. In 2010, he appeared in the Telugu film Adhurs as Don Baba, as Teen Patti as Dagdu Sheth, and as Hariya Shetty in Dabangg. He also directed the Marathi comedy Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho. His directorial film Lalbaug Parel received critical acclaim, while he won the Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for his work in Marathi cinema. That year, he also served as a judge on the Zee Marathi's Maharashtracha Superstar. In 2011, Manjrekar appeared in Ready as Ram Kapoor, the Marathi film Fakta Ladh Mhana as Bababhai, which he also directed, and Bodyguard as Rajan Mhatre. He made his directorial debut in Bengali cinema with Ami Shubhash Bolchi. In 2012, he directed Kaksparsh, for which he received a Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Director. He also produced the Marathi film Shala, which received the National Film Award. As an actor, he appeared in OMG – Oh My God! as Lawyer Sardesai. In 2013, he directed Kokanastha. He also appeared in the Hindi films Mumbai Mirror, Himmatwala, Shootout at Wadala, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara! and Rajjo, as well as the film Arrambam. In 2014, Manjrekar appeared in Jai Ho and portrayed Pradeep Sharma in the Marathi film Rege, for which he was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also played Chief Minister Vikram Adhikari in Singham Returns In 2015, he portrayed Shahujiraje Bhosale in Bajirao Mastani and appeared in the Telugu film Akhil as Divya's father. In 2016, he returned to directing after a three-year hiatus with the Marathi film Natsamrat, for which he received Filmfare Award Marathi and Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar. As an actor, he appeared as Bhanu Pratap Inamdar in Vrundavan, Jackie in the Telugu film Guntur Talkies, and Shyam Vahi in the Bengali film Badsha – The Don. In 2017, Manjrekar directed the youth-oriented film F.U.: Friendship Unlimited. He also appeared in Thank U Vitthala as Vitthal and Dhyanimani as Sadanand Pathak. He made his Tamil film debut with Velaikkaran, in which he played Madhav. In 2018, he appeared as himself in Sanju and played Inspector Pawar in the Marathi film Take Care Good Night. He also directed Me Shivaji Park. That year, he began hosting the first season of the Marathi reality television show Bigg Boss Marathi. In 2019, Manjrekar appeared in Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota as Ajoba, Total Dhamaal as Chinnappa Swamy, Saaho as Prince, and the Marathi film Mulshi Pattern as Shirpya. He reprised his role as Hariya Shetty in Dabangg 3. He also directed Bhai: Vyakti Ki Valli, a biographical film based on the life of Marathi writer and humorist P. L. Deshpande. He hosted the second season of Bigg Boss Marathi. In 2020, Manjrekar appeared in the Marathi film Kesari. He also directed the web series 1962: The War in the Hills. In 2021, he directed The Power and Antim: The Final Truth, the latter being a Hindi remake of Marathi film Mulshi Pattern. He also hosted the third season of Bigg Boss Marathi. In 2022, he appeared in the Telugu film Sarkaru Vaari Paata as the Finance Minister, the Marathi film De Dhakka 2 as Babbar Lohri, and the Hindi film Mister Mummy as Dr. Satsangi. He hosted the fourth season of Bigg Boss Marathi. He also directed the Marathi films Panghrun and Nay Varanbhat Loncha Kon Nay Koncha. In 2023, he appeared in the film Butterfly as Sahil and in the web series Taaza Khabar as Kismat Bhai. In 2024, Manjrekar directed and starred in the Marathi film Juna Furniture. He received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance. He also directed Hi Anokhi Gaath. In 2025, Manjrekar appeared in the Marathi film Devmanus as Keshav. He also appeared in the Tamil films Coolie as Kakkar and Thug Life as Sadanand Yadav, the Marathi film Dashavatar as Inspector D'Costa, and the Kannada film The Devil as Rajashekhar. In 2026, he appeared in the silent film Gandhi Talks as Premnath Gavli. He made cameo appearances in the Marathi films Raja Shivaji as Lakhuji Jadhav and Deool Band 2 as Sai Baba. He is also directing the Marathi film Bandkhor, scheduled for release on 23 September 2026. He is set to appear in the Marathi film Khashaba, scheduled for release on 1 January 2027.

He was a MNS candidate from Mumbai North West in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections but lost to Gajanan Kirtikar of Shiv Sena.

• Year — Films — Role — Language — Ref. • 1991 — Jeeva Sakha — Inspector Jamdade — Marathi • 1999 — Vaastav: The Reality — Himself — Hindi • 2001 — Ehsaas: The Feeling — Michael • 2002 — Kaante — Raja "Balli" Yadav • 2003 — Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye — Munna Bhai Hatela • 2004 — Plan — Sultan • Run — Ganpat Chowdhury • Musafir — Lukka • 2005 — It Was Raining That Night — Brij Bhushan — English • Encounter Daya Nayak — Yousuf Khaleel — Kannada • 2006 — Zinda — Joy Fernandes — Hindi • Jawani Diwani: A Youthful Joyride — Chappu Bhai • 2007 — Dus Kahaniyaan — Mahesh • Okkadunnadu — Sona Bhai — Telugu • Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav — Advocate Prasad Pritam Pradyuman — Hindi • Deha — Madhav • 2008 — Meerabai Not Out — Manoj Anant Achrekar • Slumdog Millionaire — Don Javed — English • Homam — Daddy — Telugu • 2009 — Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — Marathi • Wanted — Senior Inspector Daulat R. Talpade — Hindi • 99 — AGM (Aatmaram Gyanshekhar Machve) • Fruit and Nut — Khandar Zala • 2010 — Adhurs — Don Baba — Telugu • Teen Patti — Dagdu Seth — Hindi • Dabangg — Hariya Shreshawat • Don Seenu — Mukesh Duggal / Duggal Saab — Telugu • 2011 — Ready — Ram Kapoor (Prem's father) — Hindi • Fakta Ladh Mhana — Bababhai — Marathi • Bodyguard — Ranjan Mhatre — Hindi • 2012 — Tukkaa Fitt • OMG: Oh My God! — Lawyer Sardesai • Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha — Marathi • 2013 — Mumbai Mirror — ACP Gaitonde — Hindi • Himmatwala — Sher Singh • Shootout at Wadala — Inspector Bhinde • Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai Dobara — Local gangster Rawa • Arrambam — Mahadev Rane — Tamil • Rajjo — Begam — Hindi • 2014 — Jai Ho — Auto-Rickshaw Driver — Hindi • Rege — Pradeep Sharma — Marathi • Singham Returns — Chief Minister Vikram Adhikari — Hindi • Ardhangini by Abhishek Mukherjee — Bengali • 2015 — Bajirao Mastani — Shahuji Raje Bhosale — Hindi • Akhil — Divya's father — Telugu • 2016 — Vrundavan — Bhanupratap Inamdar — Marathi • Guntur Talkies — Jakie — Telugu • Badsha – The Don — Shyam Vhai — Bengali — Scenes reused from Don Seenu • 2017 — Thank U Vitthala — Vitthala — Marathi • Dhyanimani — Sadanand Pathak • FU: Friendship Unlimited — Chilly's father • Velaikkaran — Madhav Kurup — Tamil • 2018 — Sanju — Himself — Hindi • Take Care Good Night — Inspector Pawar — Marathi • 2019 — Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota — Ajoba — Hindi • Vinaya Vidheya Rama — Chief Minister of Bihar — Telugu • Total Dhamaal — Chinnappa Swamy — Hindi • Saaho — Prince — Telugu • Mulshi Pattern — Shirpya — Marathi • Dabangg 3 — Hariya Shreshawat — Hindi • 66 Sadashiv — Marathi • 2020 — Kesari — Vastad Mehman — Marathi • Taxi No. 24 — Hindi • 2021 — The White Tiger — The Stork — English Hindi • The Power — Kaalidas Haridas Thakur — Hindi • Boss — Baba Khan — Bhojpuri • Mumbai Saga — Chief Minister Bhau — Hindi • Antim: The Final Truth — Satyavan "Satya" Vichare — Hindi • 2022 — Katha Kanchiki Manam Intiki — Telugu • Sarkaru Vaari Paata — Finance minister — Telugu • De Dhakka 2 — Babbar Lahori — Marathi • Mister Mummy — Dr. Satsangi — Hindi • 2023 — Butterfly — Sahil — Marathi • 2024 — Yatra 2 — N. Chandrababu Naidu — Telugu • Juna Furniture — Govind Shridhar Pathak — Marathi • 2025 — Thug Life — Sadanand Yadav — Tamil • Coolie — Kakkar — Tamil • Devmanus — Keshav — Marathi • Dashavatar — Inspector Michael D'cousta • The Devil — Rajashekar — Kannada • 2026 — Gandhi Talks — Premnath Gavli — Sound • Raja Shivaji — Lakhuji Jadhav — Marathi Hindi • Deool Band 2 — Sai Baba — Marathi • TBA — Khashaba — TBA

• Year — Show — Role — Ref. • 2006 — Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 1 — Contestant • 2009 — Monica Mogre — Criminal in Case File No. 1 • Specials @ 10 — Director of Har Kadam Par Shaque • Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchano — Himself (contestant) • 2010 — Maharashtracha Superstar 1 — Himself (Judge) • Forest — HD (Harpeez Dongra) • 2015 — Agent Raghav – Crime Branch — Dilip Chauhan • 2018 — Bigg Boss Marathi 1 — Host • Selection Day — Sir Tommy • 2019 — Bigg Boss Marathi 2 — Host • TVF Cheesecake — Mirza • 2020 — 1962: The War in the Hills — Director • 2021 — Bigg Boss Marathi 3 — Host • 2022- 2023 — Bigg Boss Marathi 4 • 2023 — Taaza Khabar — Kismat Bhai

• Year — Title — Direction — Role — Language — Notes • 2019 — Kaale Dhande — Anna Bhai — Marathi — ZEE5 Originals • 2020 — Forbidden Love — Sudha's Husband — Hindi — ZEE5 Originals

In 2011, he launched his own production company with Aniruddha Deshpande called Great Maratha Entertainment LLP Productions. The first film made under the banner was the Fakta Ladh Mhana which is one of the most expensive Marathi films.

• Name — Mahesh Manjrekar • Wins — 22 • Nominations — 31 • Filmfarew — 1 • Filmfaren — 3 • Iifaw — 1 • Iifan — 2 • Screenw — 2 • Screenn — 3 • Zeecinew — 1 • Zeecinen — 1 • Award1 — Filmfare Marathi Awards • Award1w — 3 • Award1n — 4 • Award2 — National Film Awards • Award2w — 1 • Award2n — 1 • Award3 — Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar • Award3w — 4 • Award3n — 5 • Award4 — Maharashtra State Film Awards • Award4w — 8 • Award4n — 10 • Award5 — Pune International Film Festival • Award5w — 1 • Award5n — 1 • Award6 — MICTA • Award6w — 1 • Award6n — 1 • Award7 — Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? • Award7w — 4 • Award7n — 5 • Award8 — Sanskruti Kaladarpan • Award8w — 0 • Award8n — 2 • Award9 — Colors Marathi Awards • Award9w — 2 • Award9n — 3 • Award10 — Sakal Premier Awards • Award10w — 2 • Award10n — 2 National Film Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2000 — Astitva — Best Feature Film in Marathi Filmfare Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2000 — Vaastav: The Reality — Best Director • Best Scene of the Year • 2003 — Kaante — Best Comedian IIFA Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2000 — Vaastav: The Reality — Best Director • 2003 — Kaante — Best Comedian Screen Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2001 — Astitva — Best Story • Best Screenplay • Special Jury Award Filmfare Awards Marathi • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 1994 — Aai — Best Director • 2016 — Natsamrat • Best Director (Critics) • 2024 — Juna Furniture — Best Director • Best Actor Zee Cine Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2016 — Natsamrat — Best Marathi Film Zee Gaurav Puraskar • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2010 — Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy — Best Story • Best Screenplay • 2012 — Kaksparsh — Best Director • 2016 — Natsamrat • 2024 — Juna Furniture — Best Actor Maharashtra State Film Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2000 — Astitva — Best Second Film • Best Second Director • 2006 — Matichya Chuli — Best Screenplay • 2009 — Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy! — Best Screenplay • Best Dialogue • 2012 — Kaksparsh — Best Film • Best Director • 2022 — Panghrun — Best Film • Best Director • 2025 — V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award Pune International Film Festival • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2012 — Kaksparsh — Best Marathi Feature Film Marathi International Cinema & Theatre Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2012 — Kaksparsh — Best Director Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2010 — Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy — Best Film • 2011 — Lalbaug Parel — Best Director • 2012 — Kaksparsh — Best Film • Best Director • 2016 — Natsamrat Sanskruti Kaladarpan • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2012 — Kaksparsh — Best Director • 2016 — Natsamrat Colors Marathi Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. References • 2019 — Bigg Boss Marathi 1 — Best Host • 2021 — Bigg Boss Marathi 2 • 2022 — Bigg Boss Marathi 3 Sakal Premier Awards • Year — Work — Category — Result — Ref. • 2019 — Panghrun — Best Film • Best Director

Mahesh Manjrekar was born on 16 August 1958 in Mumbai. Manjrekar held the nationality of India. Manjrekar was educated at Don Bosco High School and Elphinstone College. Married to: Medha Manjrekar. Recorded child: Ashwami Manjrekar and Saiee Manjrekar. Manjrekar worked as film director, actor, film producer and screenwriter, and the authority record catalogues a further 1 occupations under the same name, among them television actor. Manjrekar was active from 1975. Manjrekar worked in Hindi.

Manjrekar worked for the screen, as film director, film producer and screenwriter. 32 films survive in the institutional catalogues, spanning 1999 to 2021. Among them are Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Astitva (2000), Kurukshetra (2000), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain (2000), Nidaan (2000) and Tera Mera Saath Rahen (2001). The whole run is set out in the catalogue below.

• Year — Title — Director — Producer — Writer — Ref. • 1995 — Aai • 1999 — Vaastav: The Reality • 2000 — Astitva • Kurukshetra • Nidaan • Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai • 2001 — Ehsaas: The Feeling • Tera Mera Saath Rahen • 2002 — Hathyar • Pitaah • 2003 — Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaatha • Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye • 2004 — Rakht • 2005 — It Was Raining That Night • Viruddh... Family Comes First • Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! • 2006 — Matichya Chuli • 2009 — Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy • 2010 — Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho • 2010 — City of Gold • 2011 — Ami Shubhash Bolchi • Fakt Ladh Mhana • 2012 — Kaksparsh • Shala • 2013 — Kokanastha • 2016 — Natsamrat • 2017 — FU: Friendship Unlimited • 2018 — Me Shivaji Park • 2018 — Shikari • 2019 — Bhai: Vyakti Ki Valli • 2021 — The Power • Antim: The Final Truth • 2022 — Panghrun • Nay Varan Bhat Loncha Kon Nay Koncha • 2024 — Hi Anokhi Gaath • Juna Furniture • Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat • 2025 — Ek Radha Ek Meera • 2026 — Bandkhor • Niravadhi