This actor and social activist started with theatre and was active in films till his final year. He will always be remembered for introducing the Best Villain category in the Filmfare Awards.
An avid moviegoer enjoys the clash of good vs evil. Villains are as important as heroes. Today we will discuss one such fine performer who started out as an antogonist and became the top villain of the 80s and 90s. However, in the second phase of his career, this artiste focused more on character roles and became a valuable supporting cast member. This actor also created history with his performance at the Filmfare Awards. It's not Amjad Khan, Danny Dengzongpa, or Amrish Puri, but it's the late Sadashiv Amrapurkar.
1. Meet Sadashiv Amrapurkar: The actor who hailed from a theatre background
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Born on May 11, 1950, as Ganesh Kumar Narwode in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar, Sadashiv's film career happened by chance. Before films, Amrapurkar actively pursued theatre, directing, and occasionally acting in 150 one-act plays and over 50 dramas at Mumbai’s Indian National Theatre.
2. When Bollywood discovered Sadashiv Amrapurkar
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While setting up legendary playwright Vijay Tendulkar’s production Kanyadaan, the latter recommended his name for a role in Govind Nihalani’s hard-hitting Ardh Satya (which was based on Tendulkar’s screenplay). Govind even saw Sadashiv's performance in the Marathi play Hands-Up!, and decided to cast him as Rama Shetty.
3. When Sadashiv Amrapurkar created history
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After Ardh Satya, Sadashiv impressed moviegoers with his performance in the blockbuster Hukumat, Purana Mandir, Nasoor, Muddat, Jawaani, Aakhri Raasta Khamosh and superhit Sadak (1991). In Mahesh Bhatt's directorial Sadak, Sadashiv played the role of a transgender Maharani, and his performance led the Filmfare Awards to introduce Best Actor in a Negative Role (Best Villain). Sadashiv won an award in the same category for his role of Maharani.
4. Sadashiv Amrapurkar's transition from villain to supporting lead
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In the mid-90s Sadashiv transitioned from villain to supporting actor and showcased his comedic performance with Aankhen, Coolie No 1, Hum Hai Kamaal Ke, and Ishq. He also played positive character in Mohra, Gupt, Aunty No. 1, Jai Hind, Master and Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United. Sadashiv also did several Marathi films such as Kadachit, Vaastupurush, Doghi, Savarkhed ek Gaav and Ara Ara Aaba Ata tari Thamba. Sadashiv was also a philanthropist, and social activist, and engaged in some social organizations such as Narmada Bachao Andolan and Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti.
5. The demise of Sadashiv Amrapurkar
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On November 3, 2014, Sadashiv Amrapurkar passed away due to a lung infection. He was hospitalised for lung inflammation in October 2014 at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, but his condition became critical. Sadashiv's last on-screen appearance was in Dibakar Banerjee's short story from the anthology film Bombay Talkies (2013).
