Dilip Prabhavalkar biography, filmography, awards, photos

Dilip Prabhavalkar is by far one of the finest thespians on Marathi stage today. His career, spanning a period of over thirty years, encompasses his accomplishments from the children's theatre and experimental stage to professional Marathi theatre, television serials and films. The following is a brief overview of his contribution and achievements in each of these fields. cademically, Dilip Prabhavalkar has a Master's degree in Biophysics and a diploma from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. Initially, he worked for a pharmaceutical company for many years and later, was a partner in a video production unit. During this period, he performed as an actor in several children's plays and experimental plays staged at Chhabildas. His first major performance in 'Lobh Nasava Hi Vinanti' a play written by Vijay Tendulkar and directed by Arvind Deshpande, was very impressive. In 1991, however, he decided to give up this dual existence of working and doing plays simultaneously and chose acting as a career In the Children's and Amateur theatre, Prabhavalkar was associated with Ratnakar Matkari's group and performed in all the plays staged by the troupe. His performances were always unique because of his systematic and studied approach to the role, the understanding of the character he had to play and his spontaneity. His brilliant performance as 'the witch' in 'Albatya Galbatya' is still remembered by those who saw it then. Prabhavalkar also acted in the experimental plays staged by Matkari's troupe and his performances of a simpleton in 'Prem Kahani' and Vidur in 'Aranyak' - a play based on the Mahabharat - were awarded prizes at the Maharashtra State Drama Festival. From the experimental stage, Prabhavalkar very easily moved to the professional stage in 1976, and since then has given several brilliant performances in a variety of plays of different categories - from slapstick to light comedy, family drama and melodrama, to serious discussion plays dealing with contemporary issues. The following few examples indicate the vastitude of his range and his capabilities: 1. Double role as Anna and the mother-in-law in Pradeep Dalvi's farce 'Vasuchi Sasu'. 2. The young as well as old Rajabhau in 'Chook Bhool Dyavi Ghyavi' - a light comedy written by Prabhavalkar himself, which traces in a humorous manner, the 50 year old relationship between a married couple. 3. The caring but extremely possessive father in Ratnakar Matkari's 'Jawai Maza Bhala' - a light family drama. 4. The lovably senile Nana of the old lonely couple in Jaywant Dalvi's 'Sandhyachhaya'. 5. The double role of the debonair, flirtatious Raje and a local rustic constable in Prof. Toradmal's 'Kalam 302'(adaptation of 'Sleuth'). 6. The alcoholic but intelligent and charming barrister in Matkari's 'Ghar Tighancha Hava' (a play on the life of Tarabai Modak). 7. The nondescript but determined, very idealistic common man in P. L. Deshpande's 'Ek Zunj Waryashi' (adaptation of 'The Last Appointment'). 8. The anguished father who sacrifices every comfort for his mentally handicapped son in Jaywant Dalvi's 'Natigoti'. And finally, 9. Six different characterisations in 'Hasvaphasvi' - a laugh riot penned and directed by Prabhavalkar himself. The characters are Chimanrao, Prince Wantung Pin Pin- an oriental monarch, Nana Punje- a street smart trader, Dipti Prabhavalkar Patel Lumumba - a feisty lady, Bobby Mod- a pseudo westernised young man with a punky style and Krishnarao Herambkar- an octogenarian singer actor. 'Hasvaphasvi' has been appreciated by all types of audiences and with 712 performances so far, it has become a milestone of Marathi theatre. TV Serials and films : Prabhavalkar entered TV serials as 'Chimanrao', in the serial of the same name, telecast on Doordarshan in 1977-79. The serial was based on the famous humorous literary work 'Chimanraocha Charhat' by C. V. Joshi. The character Chimanrao had been played earlier in films by the veteran Damuanna Malwankar. Prabhavalkar, using a high-pitched voice and innocent face, effectively brought out the innocence and the naivety of the character.The serial was very popular and Prabhavalkar reached all corners of Maharashtra as 'Chimanrao' and gained immense popularity.He has since then performed in several serials and films. In 1992, he received the Maharashtra State award for best actor for his portrayal of a mentally retarded boy in the film 'Chaukat Raja'. His performances in 'Katha Doan Ganpatraonchi' and 'Sarkarnama' have been widely acclaimed by critics as well by people at large. Prabhavalkar is a serious actor. He has an attitude of making an in-depth study of the character he wants to portray and then taking pains to build up each part of the character systematically. He possesses the quality of good observation. For performing the mentally retarded boy in 'Chaukat Raja' he visited an institute of such children and spent time with them, to observe them. This is why his performances appeal to connoisseurs as well as the common theatre-going man. In fact it will not be an exaggeration to say that he gets the largest audiences and from all strata of society- rural, urban, young, old, labourers, intellectuals. Prabhavalkar has been honoured with many Maharashtra State, Natyadarpan and Natya Parishad awards for his work in Theatre. Prabhavalkar himself is a good writer. His writing is remarkable for its wit and deft comic touches and tongue-in-cheek satirical attitude. This attitude is reflected in his newspaper column writing where he deals with the issues around, including political ones, in a humorous manner, yet exposing the hypocricy of politicians. Three of his nine books published so far- 'Googly', 'Hasgat' and 'Kagdi Baan'- have won literary awards. Prabhavalkar is a socially conscious personality and is always ready to give his share for a good cause. He has been working for the Poona Blind Men's Association and has helped them by lending his voice to prepare a number of audio cassettes for their 'Talking Book Libraries'. He has also been associated with Kamayani, the institution working for mentally retarded children. The ties that he developed with them at the time of 'Chaukat Raja' have become permanent and he is always ready to help them in any way he can. Needless to say, Prabhavalkar does all that without accepting any remuneration - 'an actor must give back to society at least a part of what he achieves with the help of the society' is his attitude. ---- From an article written by Dr. Hemu Adhikari

Films

Year	Title	Role	Language	Notes
2012	Shala	Appa	Marathi
2011	Deool	Appa Kulkarni	Marathi
2010	Jhing Chik Jhing	Kavi	Marathi
2009	Bokya Satbande	Mr. Bhilwandi	Marathi	Based on book Bokya Satbande written by himself.
2009	Sankat City	Ganpat Gajanan Jagirdar	Hindi
2008	Sarkar Raj	Rao Saab	Hindi
2008	Valu	Pandit	Marathi
2007	Shankar Dada Zindabad	Mahatma Gandhi	Telugu
2006	Shiva	Chief Minister
2006	Lage Raho Munna Bhai	Mahatma Gandhi	Hindi
2005	Paheli		Hindi
2004	Aga Bai Arrecha!	Shriranga Deshmukh's father	Marathi
2003	Chupke Se	Megha's father/Income Tax officer	Hindi
2002	Encounter: The Killing	Ponappa
1999	Ratra Aarambha		Marathi
1997	Sarkarnama	Cultural Minister	Marathi
1992	Zapatlela	Tatya Vinchu	Marathi
1992	Ek Hota Vidushak	Chief Minister	Marathi
1991	Chaukat Raja	Nandu	Marathi	Won Maharashtra State Award for Best Actor
1982	Ek Bhutacha Bhau		Marathi

Television

Title	Role	Language	Channel	Notes
Shriyut Gangadhar Tipre	Aaba	Marathi	Zee Marathi
Zopi Gelela Jaga Zala	Dinoo	Marathi
Kaam Phatte	Wadkar	Marathi
Chiranjeev	Ghadyalkaka	Marathi
Salsood	Bhargav	Marathi	Doordarshan
Chimanrao	Chimanrao	Marathi	Doordarshan	Telecasted in 1977-79 and based on book Chimanrao Charhat written by C. V. Joshi

Theater

• Double role as Anna and the mother-in-law in Pradeep Dalvi's farce Vasuchi Sasu.
• The young as well as old Rajabhau in Chook Bhool Dyavi Ghyavi, a light comedy written by Prabhavalkar.
• The caring, possessive father in Ratnakar Matkari's drama Jawai Maza Bhala.
• The senile Nana in Jaywant Dalvi's Sandhyachhaya.
• The double role of the debonair, flirtatious Raje and a local constable in Prof. Toradmal's Kalam 302 (adaptation of Sleuth).
• The alcoholic barrister in Ratnakar Matkari's Ghar Tighancha Hava (a play on the life of Tarabai Modak).
• The nondescript but determined common man in P. L. Deshpande's Ek Zunj Waryashi (an adaptation of The Last Appointment).
• The father of a disabled son in Jaywant Dalvi's Natigoti.
• Six characterisations in Hasvaphasvi, a comedy written by Prabhavalkar.
• A buck-toothed apparently harmless man who in reality is a twisted, evil man in Salsood.
• A naive, innocent schoolteacher who is assisted by a ghost in Ek Dav Bhutacha.