Does Bollywood prefer Marathi veterans to youngsters?

Marathi actors featuring in Hindi films is not a new thing but the fact that it is only the veterans who get these roles points out the lack of young Marathi actors in Bollywood. So, when actors like Nana Patekar, Vikram Gokhale and Sachin Khedekar are still seen in quite a lot of Hindi films, the younger generation is nowhere on the scene except for a couple of films to their credit.We bring you some actors who have featured prominently in Hindi films.
Nana Patekar
Notable films: Welcome, Rajneeti, Apaharan, Salaam Bombay, Parinda, Krantiveer
Nana has done roles varying from serious to negative and comic ones. His prowess lies in serious roles, which is probably why filmmakers don’t look beyond him when a role demands utmost conviction and seriousness.
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Atul Kulkarni
Notable films: Hey Ram, Page 3, Chandni Bar, Khakee, Dum, Rang De Basanti, Zanjeer
The National Award winning actor is a regular on the Hindi film circuit. He played a fundamentalist in Hey Ram, crime reporter in Page 3 and a corrupt policeman in Dum apart from prominent roles in Rang De Basanti and the Zanjeer remake.
Sachin Khedekar
Notable films: Rang Rasiya, Krrish 3, Agneepath, Rang Rasiya, Viruddh, Bose: The Forgotten Hero
He is an actor who has carved a niche for himself in Marathi films and has also featured in numerous Hindi films. Usually cast as a minister or brother/relative of the lead, Sachin has experimented with negative roles too.
Sayaji Shinde Notable films: Sarkar Raj, Vaastu Shastra, Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye, Shool, Kurukshetra
Before moving down south and becoming a famous villain there, Shide did the same in Marathi and Hindi films. Numerous corrupt cop, gang leader and minister roles feature in his list of characters.
Sonali Kulkarni
Notable films: Singham, Well Done Abba, Darna Zaroori Hai, Taxi Number 9211, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Dil Chahta Hai
Her acting prowess and pretty face landed Sonali plum roles in films opposite actors like Saif Ali Khan, Fardeen Khan and Nana Patekar. She had no qualms about doing a role older to her real age in Mission Kashmir.
Neena Kulkarni
Notable films: Hasee Toh Phasee, Bhoothnath, Guru, Paheli, Nayak: The Real Hero, Mirch Masala
Thanks to her versatility, Neena is one of the best character actors onscreen. While she has a variety of roles to her credit, she has mostly played a mother, sister or aunt in her movies. Recently she played actor Sidharth Malhotra’s mother in Hasee Toh Phasee.
Dilip Prabhavalkar
Notable films: Sarkar Raj, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Paheli, Khilona Bana Khalnayak
This versatile actor is known for his perfect portrayal of every character, even if it’s a cameo. Be it Kanwarlal of Paheli or Rao Saab of Sarkar Raj, Dilip has always managed to create a lasting impression on the viewers.
Ashok Saraf
Notable films: Singham, Jodi No 1, Khoobsurat, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Yes Boss, Gupt: The Hidden Truth, Koyla, Karan Arjun
This popular comedy actor of Marathi cinema has been mostly roped in by Bollywood filmmakers to essay comic characters in their films. Ashok managed to tickle the funny bone of the Hindi audiences as well.
Mohan Joshi
Notable films: Gangaajal, Vaastav, Gunda, Mrityudand, Major Saab, Garv: Pride & Honour
As opposed to his comic or serious roles in the Marathi industry, Joshi was usually cast as a villain in Hindi films. He was also a part of the now cult film Gunda featuring Mithun Chakraborty.
Deepak Shirke
Notable films: Agneepath, Hum, Tirangaa, Ishq, Sarkar, Ferrari Ki Sawaari
Apart from the negative roles, the other common factor between Shirke’s characters and some of his films are their names. Be it films like Maut Ki Haveli and Shamshaan or characters like Pralaynath Gendaswamy and Chikkoo Tandia, Shirke is associated with them.
Anant Jog
Notable films: Rowdy Rathore, Singham, Shanghai, No Entry, Garv: Pride and Honour
We have seen Anant essaying a distorted politician who gets thrashed by the film’s hero in the end, in most of his films. Though the actor has an unmistakable Marathi accent, he easily slips into every role that is offered to him.
Viju Khote
Notable films: Sholay, Andaz Apna Apna, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge, Golmaal 3, Club 60
Khote has done a lot of Hindi films but is most remembered for his roles of Sholay’s Kaalia and Andaz Apna Apna’s Robert. He regularly features in comic roles apart from a few negative ones.
Reema Lagoo
Notable films: Kidnap, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Reema’s name certainly features as one amongst Bollywood’s list of favourite onscreen mothers. Right from Salman Khan to Govinda and Abhishek Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan, Reema has played a loving mum to almost every leading actor.
Vikram Gokhale
Notable films: Rang Rasiya, De Dana Dan, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Hey Ram
The actor who started with Marathi films, Vikram Gokhale has done a variety of roles in Bollywood. Known more for his serious acting, he displayed his comic side in De Dana Dan as well.
Other actors who regularly featured in Hindi films were
*Laxmikant Berde — Hum Aapke Hain Koun
* Vinay Apte — Rajneeti *Nilu Phule — Saaransh
*Rasika Joshi — Bhool Bhulaiyaa
*Sadashiv Amrapurkar — Sadak
The younger actors and their films:
*Sonalee — Grand Masti, Singham
*Pushkar Jog — EMI Liya Hai Toh Chukana Padega, Huff! It’s Too Much
*Swwapnil Joshi — Ghulam-E-Mustafa
*Ankush Chaudhari — Jis Desh Me Ganga Rehta Hai
*Amruta Khanvilkar — Mumbai Salsa, Hattrick, Contract, Phoonk
*Sai Tamhankar — Ghajini, Black & White
*Girija Oak — Shor in the City, Taare Zameen Par
*Radhika Apte — Shor in the City, Rakht Charitra I & II
*Priya Bapat — Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munna Bhai
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