# Nilu Phule

Nilu Phule (Marathi pronunciation:; 4 April 1930 – 13 July 2009) was an Indian actor known for his roles in Marathi movies and Marathi theatre. Nilu Phule acted in around 250 Marathi and Hindi movies during his film career. He was most prominently seen playing the roles of notorious villains in the movies. He is recipient of numerous accolades including Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Marathi, Maharashtra State Film Awards, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Zee Chitra Gaurav Lifetime Achievement Award.
Phule was also a social worker, and was associated with Rashtra Seva Dal.

## Early life

Phule was born in 1930 in Pune as Nilkanth Krushnaji Phule in a Hindu family. He is great grand son of Indian social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. He was involved in the independence movement. According to his interview in a serial 'Vastraharan' on a Marathi channel, he was a freedom fighter from Pune.
Phule's first job was that of a gardener at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, aged 17. He used to get a salary of Rs. 80 per month, out of which, he used to donate Rs. 10 to the Rashtriya Seva Dal, a social organization he was involved with. He wanted to pursue his gardening career forward, but due to lack of financial support, he could not start his own plant nursery. During this time, at the age of 20, Nilu was inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's writings and went on to write a drama, Udyan. His composing for the drama Yedya Gabalache Kam Nahi during the 1957 Lok Sabha elections garnered him fame.

## Acting career

Nilu Phule began his theatrical career with the Marathi folk performances (Loknatya). His first professional drama was Katha Akalecha Kandyachi, which went on to have over 2000 shows. It was based on this success that he was offered his first movie Ek Gaav Baara Bhanagadi, by Anant Mane in 1968.
Nilu often played villains; most notably his portrayal of Sakharam Binder. Some of his notable film roles include: Hindurao Dhonde Patil, a zamindar and a sugar tycoon in Samna, a power-drunk politician in Mahesh Bhatt's Saaransh and a political journalist in Jabbar Patel's Sinhasan.
He also played the role of 'Nathu Mama' in the 1983 hit Hindi movie Coolie where he worked with Amitabh Bachchan.
One of Phule's most notable theatrical performances include his role as the eponymous hero of Vijay Tendulkar's Sakharam Binder (first staged in 1972). Kamlakar Sarang, who directed the first production of the play in 1972, was apprehensive of Phule's reticence. However, he was convinced that Phule would be fit for the role, when Vijay Tendulkar reminded him of Phule's aggressive performance as a minister in another play, Katha Aklechya Kandyachi.
He was known for his legendary voice and dialogue delivery. His dialogues in his films remains one of the most popular dialogues across Marathi Film Industry. It is said that his acting in villainous roles in movies was so surreal that women in real life would despise him thinking that he was the same deviant person in real life too, and that was a great compliment to his works.
In May 2013, when Forbes India, the Indian edition of American Business Magazine Forbes, declared 25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema, the list included Phule's performance as Hindurao Dhonde Patil in the film Samna.

## Death

Nilu Phule died on 13 July 2009, aged 79, from esophageal cancer. His wife Rajani Phule died in 2011. They are survived by their daughter Gargi Phule Thatte.

## Awards

* Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991), by the President of India
* Maharashtra State Film Award for Haat lavin tithe sone (1973)
* Maharashtra State Film Award for Samna (1974)
* Maharashtra State Film Award for Choricha Mamla (1975)
* Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Marathi for Sahkar samrat
* Jayantrao Tilak Memorial Life Time Achievement Award' given by Kesari Maratha Trust, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth and Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, Pune chapter.
* Zee Chitra Gaurav Lifetime Achievement Award

## Plays Acted

* Katha Akalecha Kandyachi
* Sakharam Binder

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Film Language | Notes |
| 1968 | Ek Gaon Bara Bhangadi | Jhele Anna | Marathi | |
| 1969 | Mukkam Post Dhebewadi | | Marathi | |
| 1969 | Gan Gaulan | | Marathi | |
| 1970 | Dhartichi Lekaren | | Marathi | |
| 1970 | Ganane Ghungroo Haravale | | Marathi | |
| 1971 | Songadya | | Marathi | |
| 1971 | Asheech Ek Ratra | Nagya | Marathi | |
| 1972 | Pinjra | Leader of dance troupe | Marathi | |
| 1972 | Harya Narya Zindabad | Narya | Marathi | |
| 1973 | Thapadya | | Marathi | |
| 1975 | Samna | Hindurao Dhonde Patil | Marathi | |
| 1975 | Varaat | | Marathi | |
| 1975 | Karava Tasa Bharava | Babu | Marathi | |
| 1975 | Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty | | Hindi | |
| 1976 | Farrari | | | |
| 1976 | Choricha Mamla | Chanderrao | | |
| 1977 | Soyrik | Raut | Marathi | |
| 1977 | Banya Bapu | Kaka | | |
| 1977 | Naav Motha Lakshan Khota | | Marathi | |
| 1977 | Jait Re Jait | | Marathi | |
| 1977 | Bhingri | Daulatrao Patil | | |
| 1977 | Mansa Paris Mendhra Bari | | Marathi | |
| 1978 | Sarvasakshi | Balasaheb | Marathi | |
| 1978 | Padrachya Savlit | | Marathi | |
| 1978 | Sasurvasheen | | Marathi | |
| 1979 | Do Ladke Dono Kadke | Champa's husband | Hindi | |
| 1979 | Bhayanak | Thakur Sahab | Hindi | |
| 1979 | Sunbai Oti Bharun Ja | | | |
| 1979 | Sobati | Lambatya (Laxman) | Marathi | |
| 1979 | Simhasan | Digu Tipnis | Marathhi | |
| 1979 | Paijjecha Vida | Sakya | | |
| 1979 | Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi | Fernandes | Hindi | |
| 1979 | Haldikunku | | | |
| 1979 | Deed Shahane | Babnya | | |
| 1979 | Aaitya Bilavar Nagoba | Bhujangrao | Marathi | |
| 1980 | Fataakadi | Damu Saavkaar | Marathi | |
| 1980 | Sarvasakshi | | | |
| 1980 | Bhalu | | Marathi | |
| 1980 | Sau Din Saas Ke | Khubchand (Lalla Ji) | Hindi | |
| 1980 | Kadaklakshmi | Vaman | Marathi | |
| 1980 | Satichi Punyaai | | Marathi | |
| 1980 | Sinhasan | Digu Tipnis | Marathi | |
| 1980 | Savat | Bandu Master | Marathi | |
| 1981 | Kasam Bhawani Ki | Maniram Lala | | |
| 1981 | Naram Garam | Guruji | Hindi | (Special appearance) |
| 1981 | Shama | Barrister | Hindi | |
| 1981 | Satichi Punyayee | Kishenseth Thorat | | |
| 1981 | Patalin | Amrut Sheth | Marathi | |
| 1981 | Nagin | | | |
| 1981 | Mosambi Narangi | Mumbaji alias Suryajirao | Marathi | |
| 1981 | Aai | Guruji | | |
| 1982 | Shapit | | Marathi | |
| 1982 | Laxmichi Paule | Sudama Pawar | | |
| 1982 | Chatak Chandni | | | |
| 1982 | Ramnagari | | Marathi | |
| 1982 | Raakhandar | Rajabahu | | |
| 1982 | Galli Te Dilli | Saheb | Marathi | |
| 1982 | Don Baika Phajeeti Aika | Aburao | | |
| 1982 | Diste Tasa Naste | Sarjerao Patil (Anna) | | |
| 1982 | Bhujang | | Marathi | |
| 1982 | Bhannat Bhanu | Kakasaheb | | |
| 1982 | Aplech Daat Aplech Oth | Nana | | |
| 1982 | Bhamta | | Marathi | |
| 1983 | Gumnaam Hai Koi | | | |
| 1983 | Zara Si Zindagi | Jaggu (Kusum's father) | Hindi | |
| 1983 | Woh Saat Din | Maya's maternal grandfather | Hindi | |
| 1983 | Coolie | Nathu Mama | Hindi | |
| 1983 | Sasu Varchad Javai | Jyotish (Gangaram Teli) Golaram Teli | | |
| 1983 | Raghumaina | | | |
| 1983 | Mardani | Prataprao Ramdokhey | Hindi | |
| 1983 | Kashyala Udyachi Baat | Nilkanth Sagle | | |
| 1983 | Baiko Asavi Ashi | Balu (Balaram Mohite) | Marathi | |
| 1984 | Aao Jao Ghar Tumhara | | | |
| 1984 | Mashaal | Vithal Rao | Hindi | |
| 1984 | Saaransh | Gajanan Chitre | Hindi | |
| 1984 | Shraddha | | | |
| 1984 | Zakhmi Sher | Lala (Anandi's father) | Hindi | |
| 1984 | Thakas Mahathak | Sarpanch Nanasaheb Uchle | | |
| 1984 | Shradha | Inamdar | | |
| 1984 | Bin Kamacha Navra | Sahebrao | | |
| 1984 | Bahuroopi | Dadasaheb Bhole | | |
| 1985 | Gaon Tasa Changla Pan Veshila Tangla | Hindurao | Marathi | |
| 1985 | Haqeeqat | Rickshaw driver | Hindi | |
| 1985 | Rao Saheb | | Hindi | |
| 1985 | Dhagala Lagli Kala | | Marathi | |
| 1986 | Kaanch Ki Deewar | Lakhsmi Singh | Hindi | |
| 1986 | Maa Beti | Raghunandan | Hindi | |
| 1986 | Rao Saheb | | | |
| 1986 | Pudhcha Paool | Babasaheb | | |
| 1986 | Insaaf Ki Awaaz | Balwant Azaad | Hindi | |
| 1986 | Gadbad Ghotala | Khalave | | |
| 1986 | Bijli | Niluba - Sonar | Marathi | |
| 1986 | Mi Chairman Boltoy | | Marathi | |
| 1987 | Hirasat | Dhirubhai | Hindi | |
| 1987 | Sutradhar | Bhaurao | Marathi | |
| 1987 | Sarja | Rustam | Marathi | |
| 1987 | Purnasatya | Patang Rao | | |
| 1987 | Porichi Dhamaal Baapachi Kamaal | Digamber Avdhoot | | |
| 1987 | Mohre | Social Worker | Hindi | |
| 1987 | Kalatay Pan Valat Nahi | Raosaheb Deshmukh | | |
| 1987 | Jaago Hua Savera | | Hindi | |
| 1987 | Bhatak Bhavani | Landge Saheb | Marathi | |
| 1988 | Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani | Thakur | Hindi | |
| 1988 | Maza Pati Karodpati | Laxmikant Kuber | Marathi | |
| 1988 | Tamacha | Jwala Pratap Singh | Hindi | |
| 1988 | Kabzaa | Mandar Bhagawat | Hindi | |
| 1988 | Bandiwan Mi Ya Sansari | | | |
| 1988 | Sarvashreshta | Bhau | | |
| 1988 | Saglikade Bombabomb | Appasaheb Dharadhar | Marathi | |
| 1988 | Mamla Porincha | Nilu Bhau | | |
| 1988 | Majjach Majja | Kaka Saheb | Marathi | |
| 1989 | Prem Pratigyaa | Mohan 'Dadhu' Rao | Hindi | |
| 1989 | Oonch Neech Beech | Sadhu | Hindi | |
| 1989 | Hamaal De Dhamaal | Nilkanth Phule | | |
| 1989 | Ek Ratra Mantarleli | Ramsharan | Marathi | |
| 1989 | Auntyne Wajavli Ghanti | Dhanajirao | Marathi | |
| 1989 | Maalmasala | | Hindi | |
| 1990 | Ghanchakkar | Nagraj Baba | | |
| 1990 | Kalat Nakalat | | | |
| 1990 | Kuldeepak | Bahu Kasbe | | |
| 1990 | Patli Re Patli | Mamasaheb | | |
| 1990 | Disha | Dashrath 'Dadji' Mandre | Hindi | |
| 1990 | Dhamal Bablya Ganpyachi | Narsinghrao | | |
| 1991 | Suryodaya | | | |
| 1991 | Halad Rusli Kunku Hasla | Dadasaheb | | |
| 1991 | Pratikaar | Dadasaheb / Appaji | Hindi | |
| 1992 | Shubhamangal Savadhan | | | |
| 1992 | Zunz Tujhi Majhi | Bapujirao 'Nagoji' Nagvekar | Marathi | |
| 1992 | Than Than Gopal | Gopal Rao | | |
| 1992 | Maalmasala | Manmohan | | |
| 1992 | Ek Hota Vidushak | Nana | Marathi | |
| 1992 | Dharpakad | Dadasaheb Dharpakad | Marathi | |
| 1995 | Painjan | Jairambapu Shingarwadikar | | |
| 1995 | Limited Manuski | Jyotshi Archarya | Marathi | |
| 1996 | Pratidaav | | Marathi | |
| 1996 | Durga Aali Ghara | Dadasaheb Deshmukh | | |
| 1996 | Ashi Asavi Sasu | Mama | | |
| 1996 | Paij Lagnachi | Aabasaheb | | |
| 1998 | Ghar Bazar | Kishan Murari | Hindi | |
| 2001 | Zanzaavat | | Marathi | |
| 2004 | Prem Sakshi | | | |
| 2004 | Pandhar | | | |
| 2004 | Saatchya Aat Gharat | | Marathi | |
| 2005 | Chalta Hai Yaar | Malhar Rao Patil | Hindi | |
| 2007 | Kadachit | | Marathi | |
| 2008 | Gaav Tasa Chaangla | | Marathi | |
| 2009 | Goshta Choti Dongraevadhi | | Marathi | Guest Appearance his last film before he died |
| 2010 | Ladi Godi | Rajesh's Dead Grandfather | | (final film role) |