Sachin Pilgaonkar

Sachin Pilgaonkar (born 17 August 1957) often known by his first name as just Sachin, is an Indian movie and TV actor as well as producer. He has acted in a substantial number of Marathi, Bhojpuri and Hindi movies as well, and has produced and directed some successful comedy shows on Indian television.

Early life

Sachin Pilagaonkar was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra in a Konkani Gaud Saraswat Brahmin family. His ancestral roots are from Goa.

Career

Sachin Pilgaonkar started his film career as a child artist in the Marathi film 'Ha maaza marg ekla' which means 'This is my own singular path'. He won the National Award for the same. His Excellency Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan handed him the award. As a child actor he appeared in prominent films such as Jewel Thief and Brahmachari and Mela. As a child artiste, his best buddy was Junior Mehmood, with whom he first did the Shammi Kapoor-starrer Brahmachari as nine-year old kids, and have done about 15 films together as child artistes.

He switched to playing lead roles for a brief time with Rajshri Productions' Geet Gaata Chal. In this he paired with Sarika and the films unexpected success made them a lead pair for other films. Some of his roles as the lead were Balika Badhu, College Girl, and Rajshri Productions Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se and Nadiya Ke Paar.

Character roles

With Trishul, he switched back to support roles and was part of successful movies such as Sholay and Satte Pe Satta but as roles dried up he took to direction, making Marathi movies and producing TV serials. He is one the most well-known Marathi film directors.

Television

Sachin turned to Indian Television in the 90s, when he directed a superhit Hindicomedy show, Tu Tu Main Main on Hindi National channel Star Plus, which starred his wife Supriya and Reema Lagoo. He also directed a show "Rin 1 2 3" on Hindi National channel Star-Plus, which used to show parodies on Bollywood movies. He also directed the sitcom, Hudd Kar Di starring Dara Singh, which too initially did well, but later was pulled off. In the meantime, he also anchored Hindi music shows like Chalti Ka Naam Antakshari and various other events and Marathi film award ceremonies. In 2006, he, along with his wife, Supriya, won the Hindi dance Reality Show Nach Baliye, pocketing Rs. 40 lakh {Approx. $100,000}, beating nine other celebrity contestant pairs. In late 2007, he started a new programme on Zee Marathi, known as Eka Peksha Ek, which is based on dance contests, finding hidden talent in all the areas of the state of Maharashtra in India.

Sachin has also been directing Marathi films since the 80s. He started directing with Mai Baap which received critical acclaim, but started tasting commercial success only with 1984's Navri Mile Navryala, which also starred his future wife, Supriya. Further movies like Gammat Jammat and Maza Pati Karodpati cemented his place in the Marathi film industry. However, he tasted major success in 1988's Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi, which starred himself and the two reigning superstars of Marathi cinema, Ashok Saraf and Laxmikant Berde. The movie was a runaway hit, establishing Sachin as a hitmaker. He then changed track to experimental cinema with the next two films, but returned to comedy with Amchyasarkhe Aamhich which proved to be yet another hit.

All the marathi movies he produced or directed were inspired by old Hindi flop movies.

Filmography

Actor:

1. Aamhi Saatpute (2008) - Inspired by Hindi Movie Satte Pe Satta
2. Hee Porgi Kunachi (2006) (Guest)
3. Navra Mazha Navsacha (2004)
4. Aisi Bhi Kya Jaldi Hai (1996)
5. Aayatya Gharat Gharoba (1991) - Inspired by Hindi Movie "Charan Das"
6. Amchyasarkhe Aamich (1990) - Inspired by an old English movie "Double Trouble"
7. Eka Peksha Ek (1990)
8. Atmavishwas (1989)
9. Bhutacha Bhau (1989) - Inspired by Hindi Movie - Gazab
10. Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988)
11. Mazha Pati Karodpati (1988)
12. Gammat Jammat (1987)
13. Navri Mile Navryala (1984)
14. Nadiya Ke Paar (1982) - hugely successful Bhojpuri film
15. Ashta Vinayak (1979)
16. Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978)
17. Balika Badhu (1976)
18. Sholay (1975)

Director:

1. Aamhi Saatpute (2008)
2. Navra Mazha Navsacha (2004)
3. Kunku (1994)
4. Aayatya Gharat Gharoba (1991)
5. Eka Peksha Ek (1990)
6. Amchyasarkhe Aamich (1990)
7. Atmavishwas (1989)
8. Bhutacha Bhau (1989)
9. Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988)
10. Mazha Pati Karodpati (1988)
11. Gammat Jammat (1987)
12. Navri Mile Navryala (1984)
13. Savvasher (1984)
14. Mai Baap (1982)

Sachin has directed Subhash Ghai's film "Prem Deewane".