Girija Shankar is an Indian actor, producer and director. He is most famously known for playing the character Dhritarashtra in the 1988 TV series, Mahabharat.
Early life Girija spent his childhood in Patiala, Punjab. He wanted to join the Indian Air Force since childhood but he didn't pass the test due to his age at that time. He now resides with his family in Los Angeles, United States.
Career In the early 1980s, Girija worked in the plays at the Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai. Director B.R. Chopra, who used to watch plays in the theatre with his family, was impressed by one of Girija's performances and offered him a role in his 1984 film, Aaj Ki Awaaz. He then collaborated with the director in the TV series like Bahadur Shah Zafar (1986) and Mahabharat (1988).
Girija played Dhritarashtra at the age of 28, in the 1988 TV series Mahabharat created by B.R. Chopra. He was unaware about the character before the production. But he accepted the role after learning about his importance and was considered to be the most challenging character in the series.
He debuted as a director with the 2003 comedy film, Banana Brothers starring Anupam Kher.
Filmography
Television YearTitleRoleNotesRef.1986Bahadur Shah ZafarMohammad Bakht KhanEpisode 111986-1987BuniyaadRalliyaram1988-1990MahabharatDhritarashtra1988ChunniHardayal SinghEpisode 1-10, 13-161993-2002Alif LailaKing Shahryar 1999Suraag – The ClueKeshav Katre "K. K."Episode 252013UttaranAgarth Yadav
Films YearTitleRoleLanguageNotesRef.1984Aaj Ki AwaazMinister Sri Kanhaiya Laal TomarHindicameoAb Ayega MazaaChopra saab1989Aag Se KhelengeInspector Ravi SaxenaBhrashtacharCharan Das1990JurmPolice CommissionerShivaInspector Tejesh Akhouri1991IradaMr. KhannaHaqueSwami Hariprasad1992HoneymoonKuldeep Kaushal1993Pyaar Ka TaranaPrem15th AugustDholi1994Mr. AzaadPolice Inspector1995Policewala GundaDon Kailashnath NarangAatank Hi AatankRaka1998Sarbans Dani Guru Gobind SinghWazir Khan Punjabi2002Tum Se Achcha Kaun HaiArjun's brotherHindi2003Banana BrothersPunjabiDirector2015Gaddar: The Traitor2019DSP DevMLA Bakhtaawar Brar
See also
Mahabharat Dhritarashtra
References
External links