Died: November 3, 2014 (at age 64)
Birthplace: Ahmednagar, India
Sadashiv Dattaray Amarapurkar (11 May 1950 - 3 November 2014) was an Indian actor, best known for his performances in Marathi and Hindi films in the period 1983 to 1999.
He received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 1991 for Sadak — the first time the award was instituted. In addition to negative roles, he has done supporting roles and, more recently, comic roles.
Sadashiv Amarapurkar was born on May 11, 1950, in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra Shevgaon Taluka, Ahmednagar, Nashik Division, in Maharashtra, India.
Sadashiv began acting during his school and college days. While completing his Masters in History at Pune University, he was already pursuing his passion in theatre. A versatile actor, director and writer, he won a number of state as well as national level prestigious awards in theatre and film. His first film was in Govind Nihalani's Ardha Satya (1983) for which he won a Filmfare Award.
He has acted in more than 300 movies in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, Haryanvi, Telugu and Tamil. In 1993, he won the best actor in a villainous role Filmfare Award, the first time such award was instituted. In 1993 he also played the role of Inspector Pyare Mohan, in Aankhen, which won him accolades as a comic hero.
He was a philanthropist, social activist, and civically engaged in a number of social organizations including:
In addition to directing and acting in theater, and engaging in a number of social causes, he loved photography and spent his free time sketching with pastels. He was a dear friend to many, an eloquent orator, and a sensitive human being who raised his voice to support righteous causes and denounce the ills in the Indian society. He is survived by his writer wife, Sunanda Amarapurkar, three daughters, and three sons-in-law.
Amarapurkar started his career as an actor in Marathi theatre, eventually acting and directing nearly fifty plays, before transitioning to films. He made his film debut with the role of Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 22 June 1897 a Marathi historical film directed by Jayoo Patwardhan and Nachiket Patwardhan.
He won a number of awards in theatre and film. His first film was Govind Nihalani's Ardha Satya (1983), for which he won a Filmfare Award. He has acted in more than 300 movies in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, Haryanvi, Telugu and Tamil. In 1993, he won the Filmfare award for Best Actor in a villainous role, the first time this award was instituted.
In 1981-82, Amarapurkar acted in a Marathi stage play, Hands-Up!, alongside stage actors Avinash Masurekar and Bhakti Barve-Inamdar. This play was successful and Amrapurkar was noticed by director Govind Nihalani who was searching for an actor to play the central negative character in his movie Ardh Satya. The movie went on to be a hit and Amrapurkar's acting was appreciated. His style of dialog delivery was considered unique as compared to the popular Hindi movie villains in those days. Amarapurkar won a Filmfare Award for his performance in the film.
After Ardha Satya, Amarapurkar starred in Purana Mandir, Nasoor, Muddat, Jawani, and Khamosh. In 1987, he starred as the main villain in Dharamendra starrer Hukumat which went on to be a blockbuster that grossed even more than Mr. India. From 1988 he increasingly appeared in villainous roles in films like Mohre, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Kaal Chakra, Eeshwar, Elaan-E-Jung, Farishtay, Veeru Dada, Naaka Bandi, and Begunaah.
In the mid-1990s he migrated towards supporting roles and comic roles such as in Aankhen, Ishq, Coolie No. 1, Gupt: The Hidden Truth, Aunty No. 1, Jai Hind, Master and Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United. He played the role of Dr. Khanna in the 1996 film Chhote Sarkar. He did a number of stunning roles in Marathi films such as Kadachit, Vaastupurush, Doghi, Savarkhed ek Gaav, and Ara Ara Aaba Ata tari Thamba. His last Hindi screen role was a cameo in the short film by Dibakar Banerjee, Bombay Talkies (2012).
He did a cameo in the Waheeda Rahman-starrer Swayam in 1991. He played the role of a tough, upright cop who reprimands his children for leaving an elderly widow to fend for herself on the streets. The film touched on the problems old people face with the breakdown of the joint family system. It was a subject close to Sadashiv's heart and he did the role for free.
Amarapurkar was a philanthropist, social activist, and was engaged in a number of social organizations like Samajik Krutadnyata Nidhi, Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, Snehalaya, Lokshahi Prabodhan Vyaspeeth, Ahmednagar Aitihasik Vastu Sangrahalaya and many others. He always had a soft spot for the rural youth and strove for their development.
In March 2013, he protested water waste during Holi festival near his residence in Mumbai.
Despite playing a variety of roles in Bollywood, and winning awards for his performances, Amarapurkar's heart was somewhere else; he wanted to use his skills and resources for social causes. As a performer, he was talented and hard working. But he was more of a social activist than an actor. Amarapurkar also lent his support to the Anna Hazare movement in 2011 and was active in engaging citizens during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections by holding several discussions to make voters aware of their rights.
Sadashiv Amarapurkar developed a lung inflammation in October 2014 resulting in hospitalisation at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where his condition became critical. He died on 3 November 2014, 64 years old.
Selected plays he directed and acted in:
He directed some well-known artists like Shanta Jog, Smita Patil, Sreeram Lagoo, Bhakti Barve Inamdar, Dilip Prabhawalkar, Neena Kulkarni, and Suhas Joshi.
Selected Hindi and Marathi films 1. Dhangarwaada (2014) 2. Dabba Ais pais (2014) 3. Hum Hai Dhamaal Ke (2013) - Unreleased 4. Jhansi Ki Rani (2013) - Unreleased 5. Pratigya (2013) - Unreleased 6. Thodi Masti Thoda Pyar (2013) - Unreleased 7. Bombay Talkies (2013) 8. Hou De Jarasa Ushir (2013)... Fakir Baba 9. Bachao (2010)... Manager Waghmare 10. Gaav Tasa Changala (2009) 11. Rafoo Chakkar-Fun on the Run (2008)... Dilkhush 12. Aar Aar Aaba Aata Tari Thamba (2008) 13. Mr. White Mr. Black (2008) 14. Sakkha Bhau Pakka Vairi (2008) 15. Tahan (2008) 16. Tulsi (2008) 17. Kadachit (2007) 18. Aatma (2006)... Lawyer 19. Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai (2005) 20. Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen (2005) 21. Kunku Zale Vairi (2005)... Tatya 22. Ak-47 (2004) 23. Ek Se Badhkar Ek (2004) 24. Taarzan - The Wonder Car (2004)... Anthony D'Costa 25. Tum Balbramhachari Main Hu Kanya Kunwari (2004) 26. Sawarkhed - Ek Gaav (2004)... Sampatrao More 27. Raja Bhaiya (2003) 28. Parwana (2003) 29. Basti (2003) 30. Chori Chori (2003)... Chacha 31. Baap Ka Baap (2003)... Advocate Raja Waghmare 32. Jaan Pe Khelenge Hum (2002) 33. Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge (2002) 34. Yeh Mohabbat Hai (2002) 35. Vaastupurush (2002)... Vadil 36. Devi Ahilya Bai (2002) 37. Kasam (2001)... Kala Daku 38. Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (2001) 39. Hum Ho Gaye Aap Ke (2001) 40. Master (2001) 41. Officer (2001)... Lobo 42. Hum To Mohabbat Karega (2000) 43. Bulandi (2000) 44. Daku Ramkali (2000) 45. Khatarnak (2000) 46. Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999)... Dharamraj 47. Trishakti (1999)... Inspector Dayal 48. Jai Hind (1999) 49. Jaanam Samjha Karo (1999) 50. Kachche Dhaage (1999) 51. Aunty No. 1 (1998) 52. 2001 Do Hazaar Ek (1998) 53. Mere Do Anmol Ratan (1998)... Mahesh 54. Ishq (1997)... Ranjit Rai 55. Do Ankhen Barah Hath (1997)... Vishwanath Dayaram 56. Gupt (1997)... Insp. Neelkanth 57. Hasina Aur Nagina (1997) 58. Ajay (1996) 59. Return of Jewel Thief (1996) 60. Angaara (1996)... Police Inspector 61. Jung (1996)... Chakradhari Choudhry 62. Aurat Aurat Aurat (1996) 63. Chhote Sarkar (1996)... Dr. Khanna 64. Duniya Zukhti Hai (1996) 65. Yaraana (1995) 66. Sanjay (1995) 67. Sanam Harjai (1995) 68. Coolie No. 1 (1995)... Shaadiram Gharjodhe 69. Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995) 70. God And Gun (1995) 71. The Don (1995) 72. Bewafa Sanam (1995) 73. Doghi (1995) 74. Painjan (1995) 75. Aag (1994) 76. Mohra (1994)... Kamdev Kulkarni 77. Chauraha (1994) 78. Insaniyat (1994) 79. Janam Se Pahley (1994) 80. Tadipaar (1993) 81. Bomb Blast (1993) 82. Aankhen (1993)... Inspector Pyare Mohan 83. Aaj Kie Aurat (1993) 84. Phoolan Hasina Ramkali (1993) 85. Ashant (1993) 86. Baarish (1993) 87. Begunaah (1993) 88. Hum Hain Kamaal Ke (1993) 89. Janmathep (1993) 90. Meherbaan (1993) 91. Jeena Marna Tere Sang (1992) 92. Police Aur Mujrim (1992)... Dharam Pal 93. Police Officer (1992) 94. Kis Mein Kitna Hai Dum (1992) 95. Sone Ki Lanka (1992) 96. Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1992) 97. Sadak (1991)... Maharani 98. Kohram (1991) 99. Shiv Raam (1991) 100. Izzat (1991) 101. Dushman Devta (1991) 102. Farishtay (1991) 103. Inspector Dhanush (1991) 104. Z.P. (1991) 105. Agnikaal (1990)... Gulabchand Jhakotia 106. Doodh Ka Karz (1990) 107. Veeru Dada (1990) 108. Naaka Bandi (1990) 109. Andha Bichar (1990) 110. Badnaam (1990) 111. Dushman (1990) 112. Kaafila (1990) 113. Nache Nagin Gali Gali (1990) 114. Lashkar (1989) 115. Elaan-E-Jung (1989) 116. Aakhri Baazi (1989) 117. Asmaan Se Ooncha (1989) 118. Eeshwar (1989) 119. BadNaam (1989) 120. Dana Paani (1989) 121. Gola Barood (1989) 122. Kameena Kahin Kaa (1989) 123. Mastan (1989) 124. Sachche Ka Bol Bala (1989) 125. Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga (1988)... Premanand 126. Aai Pahije (1988)... Malhari 127. Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988)... Balbir 128. Kaalchakra (1988) 129. Dil Lagake Dekho (1988) 130. Mohre (1988) 131. Sila (1988) 132. Hukumat (1987) 133. Aakhree Raasta (1986)... Netaji 134. Aurat (1986) 135. Khamosh (1986)... Chandran (Film Director) 136. Teri Meherbaniyan (1985) 137. Aghaat (1985) 138. Khichadi (1985) 139. Nasoor (1985) 140. Jawaani (1984) 141. Purana Mandir (1984)... Durjan 142. Ardh Satya (1983) 143. 22 June 1897 (1979)
Selected TV series
Playback singer
Books written by him 1. Kimayaagaar (play based on the life of Helen Keller) 2. Abhinayache Saha Paath