Sadashiv Amrapurkar

Born: 11 May 1950

Sadashiv Amrapurkar was a powerhouse character actor who dominated Indian cinema across Hindi, Marathi, and regional films from 1979 to 2014. With over 300 films to his credit, he carved out a legendary career that earned him two prestigious Filmfare Awards — one for Best Supporting Actor in the gritty Ardh Satya (1983) and another as Best Villain for Sadak (1991), which happened to be the first time that award was even given. His menacing turn opposite Dharmendra in Hukumat (1987) proved he could hold his own against major stars, and he became the go-to guy whenever a film needed a truly terrifying antagonist. What made Amrapurkar genuinely special was his range and refusal to be boxed in. While he's often remembered for his spine-chilling villainous roles that made audiences squirm, he showed real flair for comedy too — his turn as the bumbling Inspector Pyare Mohan in Aankhen (1993) revealed a comedic timing that surprised many. He brought a certain intensity and authenticity to every character, whether he was playing a supporting role or stealing scenes as the bad guy. Even as his career transitioned away from leading roles, Amrapurkar remained a fixture in Hindi and Marathi cinema, consistently delivering performances that proved he was far more than just a one-note villain — he was a consummate actor's actor.