# Mahesh Manjrekar

Mahesh Vaman Manjrekar (Marathi pronunciation:; born 16 August 1958) is an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter and producer who works primarily in Hindi films, alongside Marathi and Telugu films. He is credited with directing the critically acclaimed films Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Astitva (2000) and Viruddh... Family Comes First (2005). He has won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi for Astitva and two Star Screen Awards. He is also the host of the reality show, Bigg Boss Marathi since 2018.

## Early life

Mahesh Manjrekar was born on 16 August 1958 in Bombay, Bombay state.

## Personal life

Manjrekar was married to Deepa Mehta, a costume designer, with whom he has two children - Satya and Ashwami.; they were later divorced. Later, he married Medha Manjrekar. They have a daughter, Saiee Manjrekar, who is an actress. He has a stepdaughter from Medha's first husband - Gauri Ingawale who is also an actress.

## Career

Manjrekar has acted in several films, including some of his own productions. He was first seen in the Door darshan Marathi series named Kshitij, in which he played a leprosy patient. He first gained acclaim as an actor for his performance in the 2002 film Kaante, and later played negative roles in the Tamil film Arrambam (2013), Telugu film Okkadunnadu (2007) and as the gangster Javed in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). He played Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Marathi film Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy. He also played the role of Harpeez Dongara in the Aakhri Chunauti series of episodes in the Indian TV series C.I.D.. Manjrekar was acclaimed for the role as inspector D.R. Talpade in the movie Wanted.
He was a MNS candidate from Mumbai North West in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections but lost to Gajanan Kirtikar of Shiv Sena.

## Filmography
### Actor

| Year | Films | Role | Language |
| 1999 | Vaastav: The Reality | Himself | Hindi |
| 2001 | Ehsaas: The Feeling | Michael | Hindi |
| 2002 | Kaante | Raja "Balli" Yadav | Hindi |
| 2003 | Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye | Munna Bhai Hatela | Hindi |
| 2004 | Plan | Sultan | Hindi |
| 2004 | Run | Ganpat Chowdhury | Hindi |
| 2004 | Musafir | Lukka | Hindi |
| 2005 | It Was Raining That Night | Brij Bhushan | English |
| 2005 | Encounter Daya Nayak | Yousuf Khaleel | Kannada |
| 2006 | Zinda | Joy Fernandes | Hindi |
| 2006 | Jawani Diwani: A Youthful Joyride | Chappu Bhai | Hindi |
| 2007 | Dus Kahaniyaan | Mahesh | Hindi |
| 2007 | Okkadunnadu | Sona Bhai | Telugu |
| 2007 | Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav | Advocate Prasad Pritam Pradyuman | Hindi |
| 2007 | Deha | Madhav | Hindi |
| 2008 | Meerabai Not Out | Manoj Anant Achrekar | Hindi |
| 2008 | Slumdog Millionaire | Don Javed | English |
| 2008 | Homam | Daddy | Telugu |
| 2009 | Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj | Marathi |
| 2009 | Wanted | Senior Inspector Daulat R. Talpade | Hindi |
| 2009 | 99 | AGM (Aatmaram Gyanshekhar Machve) | Hindi |
| 2009 | Fruit and Nut | Khandar Zala | Hindi |
| 2010 | Adhurs | Don Baba | Telugu |
| 2010 | Teen Patti | Dagdu Seth | Hindi |
| 2010 | Dabangg | Hariya Shreshawat | Hindi |
| 2010 | Don Seenu | Mukesh Duggal / Duggal Saab | Telugu |
| 2011 | Ready | Ram Kapoor (Prem's father) | Hindi |
| 2011 | Fakta Ladh Mhana | Bababhai | Marathi |
| 2011 | Bodyguard | Ranjan Mhatre | Hindi |
| 2012 | Tukkaa Fitt | | Hindi |
| 2012 | OMG: Oh My God! | Lawyer Sardesai | Hindi |
| 2012 | Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha | | Marathi |
| 2013 | Mumbai Mirror | ACP Gaitonde | Hindi |
| 2013 | Himmatwala | Sher Singh | Hindi |
| 2013 | Shootout at Wadala | Inspector Bhinde | Hindi |
| 2013 | Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai Dobara | Local gangster Rawa | Hindi |
| 2013 | Arrambam | Mahadev Rane | Tamil |
| 2013 | Rajjo | Begam | Hindi |
| 2014 | Jai Ho | Auto-Rickshaw Driver | Hindi |
| 2014 | Rege | Pradeep Sharma | Marathi |
| 2014 | Singham Returns | Chief Minister Vikram Adhikari | Hindi |
| 2014 | Ardhangini by Abhishek Mukherjee | | Bengali |
| 2015 | Bajirao Mastani | Shahuji Raje Bhosale | Hindi |
| 2015 | Akhil | Divya's father | Telugu |
| 2016 | Vrundavan | Bhanupratap Inamdar | Marathi |
| 2016 | Guntur Talkies | Jakie | Telugu |
| 2016 | Badsha – The Don | Shyam Vhai | Bengali |
| 2017 | Thank U Vitthala | Vitthala | Marathi |
| 2017 | Dhyanimani | Sadanand Pathak | Marathi |
| 2017 | FU: Friendship Unlimited | Chilly's father | Marathi |
| 2017 | Velaikkaran | Madhav Kurup | Tamil |
| 2018 | Sanju | Himself | Hindi |
| 2018 | Take Care Good Night | Inspector Pawar | Marathi |
| 2019 | Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota | Ajoba | Hindi |
| 2019 | Vinaya Vidheya Rama | Chief Minister of Bihar | Telugu |
| 2019 | Total Dhamaal | Chinnappa Swamy | Hindi |
| 2019 | Saaho | Prince | Telugu |
| 2019 | Mulshi Pattern | Shirpya | Marathi |
| 2019 | Dabangg 3 | Hariya Shreshawat | Hindi |
| 2019 | 66 Sadashiv | | Marathi |
| 2020 | Kesari | Vastad Mehman | Marathi |
| 2020 | Taxi No. 24 | | Hindi |
| 2021 | The White Tiger | The Stork | English Hindi |
| 2021 | The Power | Kaalidas Haridas Thakur | Hindi |
| 2021 | Boss | Baba Khan | Bhojpuri |
| 2021 | Mumbai Saga | Chief Minister Bhau | Hindi |
| 2021 | Antim: The Final Truth | Satyavan "Satya" Vichare | Hindi |
| 2022 | Katha Kanchiki Manam Intiki | | Telugu |
| 2022 | Sarkaru Vaari Paata | Finance minister | Telugu |
| 2022 | De Dhakka 2 | Babbar Lahori | Marathi |
| 2022 | Mister Mummy | Dr. Satsangi | Hindi |
| 2023 | Butterfly | Sahil | Marathi |
| 2024 | Juna Furniture | Govind Shridhar Pathak | Marathi |
| 2025 | Thug Life | TBA | Tamil |
| 2025 | Devmanus | TBA | Marathi |

### Film credits

| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer |
| 1999 | Vaastav: The Reality | Yes | No | No |
| 2000 | Astitva | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2000 | Kurukshetra | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2000 | Nidaan | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2000 | Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2001 | Ehsaas: The Feeling | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2001 | Tera Mera Saath Rahen | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2002 | Hathyar | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2002 | Pitaah | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2003 | Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaatha | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2003 | Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye | No | Yes | No |
| 2004 | Rakht | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2005 | It Was Raining That Night | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2005 | Viruddh... Family Comes First | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2005 | Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2006 | Matichya Chuli | No | No | Yes |
| 2009 | Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy | No | No | Yes |
| 2010 | Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2010 | City of Gold | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2011 | Ami Shubhash Bolchi | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2011 | Fakt Ladh Mhana | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Yes | No | No |
| 2012 | Shala | No | Yes | No |
| 2013 | Kokanastha | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2016 | Natsamrat | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2017 | FU: Friendship Unlimited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2018 | Me Shivaji Park | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2018 | Shikari | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2019 | Bhai: Vyakti Ki Valli | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2021 | The Power | Yes | No | No |
| 2021 | Antim: The Final Truth | Yes | No | No |
| 2022 | Panghrun | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2022 | Nay Varan Bhat Loncha Kon Nay Koncha | Yes | No | No |
| 2024 | Hi Anokhi Gaath | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2024 | Juna Furniture | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2024 | Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat † | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2025 | Ek Radha Ek Meera † | Yes | Yes | No |
| TBA | Niravadhi † | Yes | No | No |

### Television

| Year | Show | Role |
| 2006 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 1 | Contestant |
| 2009 | Monica Mogre | Criminal in Case File No. 1 |
| 2009 | Specials @ 10 | Director of Har Kadam Par Shaque |
| 2009 | Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchano | Himself (contestant) |
| 2010 | Maharashtracha Superstar 1 | Himself (Judge) |
| 2010 | Forest | HD (Harpeez Dongra) |
| 2015 | Agent Raghav – Crime Branch | Dilip Chauhan |
| 2018 | Bigg Boss Marathi 1 | Host |
| 2018 | Selection Day | Sir Tommy |
| 2019 | Bigg Boss Marathi 2 | Host |
| 2019 | TVF Cheesecake | Mirza |
| 2020 | 1962: The War in the Hills | Director |
| 2021 | Bigg Boss Marathi 3 | Host |
| 2022- 2023 | Bigg Boss Marathi 4 | Host |
| 2023 | Taaza Khabar | Kismat Bhai |

### Web series

| Year | Title | Direction | Role | Language | Notes |
| 2019 | Kaale Dhande | No | Anna Bhai | Marathi | ZEE5 Originals |
| 2020 | Forbidden Love | Yes | Sudha's Husband | Hindi | ZEE5 Originals |

## Production

In 2011, he launched his own production company with Aniruddha Deshpande called Great Maratha Entertainment LLP Productions.
The first film made under the banner was the Fakta Ladh Mhana which is one of the most expensive Marathi films.

## Awards and nominations

National Film Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2000 | Astitva | Best Feature Film in Marathi | Won | |
Filmfare Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
| 2000 | Vaastav: The Reality | Best Director | Nominated |
| 2000 | Vaastav: The Reality | Best Scene of the Year | Won |
| 2003 | Kaante | Best Comedian | Nominated |
IIFA Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2000 | Vaastav: The Reality | Best Director | Nominated | |
| 2003 | Kaante | Best Comedian | Won | |
Screen Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
| 2001 | Astitva | Best Story | Won |
| 2001 | Astitva | Best Screenplay | Nominated |
| 2001 | Astitva | Special Jury Award | Won |
Filmfare Marathi Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
| 1994 | Aai | Best Director | Won |
| 2016 | Natsamrat | Best Director | Nominated |
| 2016 | Natsamrat | Best Director (Critics) | Won |
Zee Cine Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2016 | Natsamrat | Best Marathi Film | Won | |
Zee Gaurav Puraskar :
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
| 2010 | Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy | Best Story | Won |
| 2010 | Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy | Best Screenplay | Won |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Best Director | Nominated |
| 2016 | Natsamrat | Best Director | Won |
Maharashtra State Film Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
| 2000 | Astitva | Best Second Film | Won |
| 2000 | Astitva | Best Second Director | Won |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Best Film | Won |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Best Director | Won |
| 2022 | Panghrun | Best Film | Nominated |
| 2022 | Panghrun | Best Director | Nominated |
Pune International Film Festival :
| Year | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Best Marathi Feature Film | Won | |
Marathi International Cinema & Theatre Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Best Director | Won | |
Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? :
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
| 2010 | Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy | Best Film | Won |
| 2011 | Lalbaug Parel | Best Director | Won |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Best Film | Won |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Best Director | Won |
| 2016 | Natsamrat | Best Director | Nominated |
Sanskruti Kaladarpan :
| Year | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2012 | Kaksparsh | Best Director | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Natsamrat | Best Director | Nominated | |
Colors Marathi Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
| 2019 | Bigg Boss Marathi 1 | Best Host | Won |
| 2021 | Bigg Boss Marathi 2 | Best Host | Nominated |
| 2022 | Bigg Boss Marathi 3 | Best Host | Won |
Sakal Premier Awards :
| Year | Work | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2019 | Panghrun | Best Film | Won | |
| 2019 | Panghrun | Best Director | Won | |