Ashok Saraf (; born 4 June 1947) is an Indian actor and comedian known primarily for his work in Marathi films, and for his supporting and comic roles in Hindi films, television and theatre. Over a career spanning more than five decades and more than 300 films, he is a recipient of several accolades including twelve Maharashtra State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards Marathi. Widely regarded as one of the most versatile actors of Marathi cinema, he is referred to as the "Mahanayak", "Ashok Samrat" or "Mama" of the Marathi film industry, and is often described in the press as the "King of the Marathi Film Industry".
Saraf made his acting debut with the 1969 Marathi film Janaki and rose to prominence through the 1970s with films such as Pandu Havaldar (1975), for which he won the State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Ram Ram Gangaram (1977). His commercial peak came in the 1980s and 1990s with a string of successful comedies, most notably Ek Daav Bhutacha (1982), Dhum Dhadaka (1985) and Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988), the latter considered one of the most celebrated Marathi comedy films of all time. Alongside Laxmikant Berde, Sachin Pilgaonkar, and Mahesh Kothare, he is credited with driving the "comedy films wave" that shaped Marathi cinema for over a decade.
In Hindi cinema, Saraf is best known for his comic supporting roles in films such as Karan Arjun (1995), Yes Boss (1997), and Singham (2011), and in the popular 1990s television series Hum Paanch. Among his other well-known Marathi comedies are Ek Daav Dhobi Pachhad (2009), Navra Maza Navsacha (2004), and Saade Maade Teen (2007). In his later career, he has been noted for character-driven performances in films including Me Shivaji Park (2018), Prawaas (2020), for which he received a Filmfare nomination, and Ved (2022).
The Government of Maharashtra honoured him with the V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2022, Maharashtra Bhushan in 2023 for his contributions to the arts. In 2025, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award.
Early life Ashok Saraf was born on 4 June 1947 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, into a Maharashtrian family. He spent his childhood in the Chikhalwadi area of South Mumbai and completed his schooling at DGT Vidyalaya. He was named after Hindi film actor Ashok Kumar, who was a prominent figure in Indian cinema at the time.
During his school years, Saraf developed an interest in acting and participated in cultural activities and stage performances. Before entering the entertainment industry full-time, he worked in a bank while pursuing acting opportunities through theatre. As his involvement in stage productions increased, he eventually left his job to focus on an acting career. He made his acting debut with the Marathi film Janaki in 1969. In the following years, he appeared in supporting roles in Marathi films and theatre productions, gradually establishing himself within the Marathi entertainment industry.
Acting career
Early career and rise to prominence (1969-1979)
In 1969, Saraf made his film debut with the Marathi film Janaki, where he played the role of Madan. Although the film did not make him an immediate star, it marked the beginning of his acting career in Marathi cinema. In 1971, he appeared in Donhi Gharcha Pahuna, playing a small role as a sanitary inspector. In 1973, he appeared in Aalay Tufan Darayala, playing the character Ashkya. The film helped increase his visibility within the Marathi film industry. Saraf continued performing in theatre productions and supporting film roles while gradually building his reputation as a comic performer. 1975 became a breakthrough year in his career. He appeared in Pandoba Porgi Phasali, Varat and most importantly Pandu Havaldar, directed by Dada Kondke. His portrayal of Hawaldar Sakharam in Pandu Havaldar received widespread appreciation and earned him the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. The success of the film significantly increased his popularity and established him as a promising comic actor in Marathi cinema. He starred in Tumcha Aamcha Jamala as Nagojirao and Jawal Ye Laju Nako as Gaja in 1976. Both films further strengthened his presence in Marathi comedy films and helped him gain recognition among audiences. In 1977, he appeared in Navra Majha Brahmachari, Dagaa and Ram Ram Gangaram. His role as Mhamdu Khatik in Ram Ram Gangaram received particular attention and earned him a Filmfare Special Mention. By this time, Saraf had become a familiar face in the industry. He acted in Sushila, Lakshmi, Sasurvasheen and the Hindi film Damaad in 1978, marking one of his early appearances in Hindi cinema. His growing popularity in Marathi films continued throughout the year. 1979 was one of the busiest years of his early career. He appeared in several films including Duniya Kari Salaam, Gyanabachi Mekh, Ashtavinayak, Sasurvasheen, Deed Shahane, Baeelveda, Haldi Kunku, Chimanrao Gundyabhau, Paijecha Vida and the Hindi film Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi. His performance in Baeelveda earned him his first Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actor. The large number of successful releases during the year firmly established him as one of the leading actors in Marathi.
Commercial peak (1980-1990)
In 1980, Saraf appeared in several films including Sharan Tula Bhagwanta, Saubhagyadaan, Sawaj, Hich Khari Daulat, Sulavarchi Poli, Fatakadi and Choravar Mor. These films strengthened his position as a popular comic actor. In 1981, he acted in films such as Nagin, Mosambi Narangi, Govinda Aala Re Aala, Are Sansar Sansar, Sundara Satarkar, Gondhalat Gondhal, Devghar and Patalin. His performance in Gondhalat Gondhal earned him second Best Supporting Actor at the Maharashtra State Film Award, further increasing his popularity. In 1983, he worked in several Marathi films and remained active in theatre. By the early 1980s, he had established himself as a dependable performer in both supporting and leading comic roles. He was seen in Gupchup Gupchup as Professor Dhond. In 1984, he continued working in comedy and family-oriented films including a role of Balasaheb in Navri Mile Navryala.
In 1985, a major turning point came with Mahesh Kothare's Dhum Dhadaka. The film emerged as a major commercial success and became one of the most influential Marathi comedy films of the decade. Saraf's performance received widespread appreciation and helped establish him as a leading star in Marathi cinema. Following the success of Dhum Dhadaka, Saraf continued appearing in commercially successful comedy films. His collaborations with Sachin Pilgaonkar became increasingly prominent during this period. He starred in Sachin's Gammat Jammat which became successful at the box office. His comic performances and screen chemistry with fellow actors contributed significantly to the popularity of Marathi comedy films during the decade. 1988 became one of the most important years of his career. Saraf appeared in Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi, Maza Pati Karodpati and Ek Gadi Baaki Anadi. Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi, directed by Sachin, became one of the most successful and celebrated Marathi comedy films of all time. His portrayal of Dhananjay Mane became one of the most iconic performances of his career. In 1989, saraf continued his successful run with films such as Balache Baap Brahmachari, Bhutacha Bhau, Navra Baiko, Kalat Nakalat, Ina Mina Dika, Eeja Beeja Teeja, Madhuchandrachi Ratra, Atmavishwas, Maalmasala and Pheka Pheki. During the same year, he also appeared in Hindi films such as Bade Ghar Ki Beti and Garibon Ka Daata. By the end of the 1980s, he had established himself as one of the biggest stars of Marathi, with several commercially successful films and a highly popular on-screen partnership with Laxmikant Berde.
Continued success and Hindi films (1991-1999)
In 1990 and 1991, he appeared in several Marathi films including Lapwa Chhapwi, Aamchyasarkhe Aamhich, Aayatya Gharat Gharoba, Ghanchakkar, Tuzhi Mazhi Jamli Jodi and Eka Peksha Ek. These films continued his successful association with comedy-oriented cinema. He got his fifth Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Aayatya Gharat Gharoba. He starred in films such as Aflatoon, Changu Mangu, Aikaav Te Navalach, and Bandalbaaz, he remained among the most sought-after actors in Marathi commercial cinema.
In 1993, Saraf appeared in Than Than Gopal, Aapli Mansa, Shubh Mangal Savdhan and several other family-comedy films. Saraf continued his successful run with films including Vazir, Sasar Maher, Aai Thor Tujhe Upkar and several family entertainers. He won two more Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actor for Aapli Mansa and Vazir. His popularity among both urban and rural audiences remained strong. In 1995, he played roles in Sukhi Sansarachi 12 Sutre, Topi Var Topi, Jamla Ho Jamla and other Marathi productions. During this period, he also increased his work in Hindi cinema and television. In 1995, he played a role Anand Mathur in Hum Paanch, which became one of the most successful television series in 1990s. During the same year, he portrayed Munshiji in the Hindi action-drama film Karan Arjun, directed by Rakesh Roshan, sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in a notable comic supporting role. During the late 1990s, he expanded his presence in Hindi cinema through supporting and comic roles in films such as Koyla (1997), Judge Mujrim (1997), Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997), Yes Boss (1997), Bandhan (1998) and Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), working alongside several leading Bollywood actors of the period.
Shift to character roles (2000–2012)
During the early 2000s, Saraf continued his work in Hindi cinema, primarily portraying supporting and character roles. In 2000, he appeared in Beti No. 1 and Joru Ka Ghulam. The following year, he acted in films such as Aashiq (2001), Jodi No. 1 (2001), Inteqam (2001) and Ittefaq (2001). In 2002, he featured in Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein and Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa, continuing his presence in Bollywood family and comedy films.
In 2004, Saraf portrayed Lalu in Navra Maza Navsacha, directed by Sachin. The film emerged as a major commercial success and was among the highest-grossing Marathi films of the year. His performance as Lalu received widespread appreciation and remains one of his most recognised roles of the 2000s. Following the success of Navra Maza Navsacha, Saraf appeared in several Marathi films, including Aai No. 1, Sawaal Majha Premacha, Soon Ladki Sasarchi and Deva Shappath Khoten Sangen Kharan Sangnar Nahi.
The year 2007 proved to be one of the most active periods of his later career. He appeared in Sakhi, Ek Unad Divas, Saade Maade Teen, Aamhi Satpute and Ek Daav Dhobi Pachhad. Among these, Saade Maade Teen emerged as one of the highest-grossing Marathi films of the year, while Aamhi Satpute later attained cult status among audiences.