Ashutosh Gowariker
Ashutosh Gowariker (born 15 February 1964) is an Indian film director, actor, screenwriter and producer who works in Hindi cinema. He is known for directing films "set on a huge canvas while boasting of an opulent treatment". His works include "Lagaan" (2001), "Swades" (2004), "Jodhaa Akbar" (2008), "What's Your Raashee?" (2009), "Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey" (2010) and "Mohenjo Daro" (2016). His film "Lagaan" was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category in 74th Academy Awards, which makes him a voting member of the Academy Awards. He returned to acting by playing the lead role in  the critically acclaimed comedy drama "Ventilator" (2016). Early life. Gowariker was born in a Marathi family to Ashok and Kishori Gowariker. His family hails from Kolhapur. He is married to Sunita (former actor Deb Mukherjee's daughter from his first marriage) and they have two sons, Konark and Vishwang. Career. Gowariker started his career as an actor, making his debut in 1984 in director Ketan Mehta's picture "Holi". On the "Holi" sets, Gowariker met Aamir Khan. After that, he acted in several television serials, including "Circus" (1989), "C.I.D." (1998) and several films, including "Naam" (1986), "Chamatkar" (1992), and "Kabhi  Haan Kabhi Naa" (1993). The 1993 movie "Pehla Nasha" marked Gowariker's directorial debut. His second movie "Baazi" (1995), starred Aamir Khan. In 2001, Gowariker wrote and directed the period epic movie "Lagaan", produced by and starring Aamir Khan. "Lagaan" was the story of a cricket match between British officers and Indian villagers in the late 19th century. It ranked third among 2001's Indian movies in terms of gross revenue. In 2004, Gowariker directed "Swades", starring Shahrukh Khan. "Jodhaa Akbar" (2008), another historical epic romance set in the 16th century, starred Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. Gowariker's romantic  comedy "What's Your Raashee?" (2009), starred Priyanka Chopra in 12 roles and Harman Baweja. "Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey" (2010), about the Chittagong Uprising set in undivided Bengal of 1930, starred Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone. In 2016, Gowariker directed the film "Mohenjo Daro", starring Hrithik Roshan. He returned to acting by playing the lead role in the critically acclaimed comedy drama "Ventilator" (2016), which was produced by Priyanka Chopra. Allegedly, he took about 6 months to agree to do the film. External links. ! | Filmfare Awards