Ashok Saraf

Born: 4 June 1947

Ashok Saraf is basically the godfather of Marathi comedy cinema—a guy who's been making audiences laugh for over five decades and shows no signs of slowing down. Born in Mumbai and active since 1969, he's racked up an impressive 300-plus films across Marathi, Hindi, and theatre productions. The real magic happened in the 1980s when he teamed up with Laxmikant Berde, Sachin Pilgaonkar, and Mahesh Kothare to create an absolute comedy wave that dominated Marathi cinema for more than ten years. His filmography reads like a Marathi cinema hall of fame—Ek Daav Bhutacha, Dhum Dhadaka, Gammat Jammat, Bhutacha Bhau—classics that still crack people up today. With multiple Maharashtra State Film Awards, four Filmfare Marathi Awards, and a Filmfare Marathi Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), he's earned his nicknames: Mahanayak, Ashok Samrat, and affectionately, "Mama" to the industry. What sets Saraf apart is his gift for physical comedy and impeccable timing—he's not just cracking jokes but genuinely bringing characters to life with nuance and heart. While he built his empire in Marathi cinema, he's also made memorable appearances in Bollywood hits like Karan Arjun, Yes Boss, and Singham, proving his versatility spans languages and genres. His contribution to Indian cinema earned him some serious recognition recently: the Maharashtra Bhushan in 2023 (the state's highest civilian honour) and the Padma Shri in 2025. Even in recent work like Navra Mazha Na