Dilip Prabhavalkar is an Indian Marathi film, television and theatre actor. Although he established himself as a prominent Marathi stage and movie actor, he became particularly known on the national scene for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in the 2006 film, Lage Raho Munna Bhai. He reprised the role of Gandhi in the Telugu language remake, Shankar Dada Zindabad. Apart from acting, Prabhavalkar is author of many plays and children's story books.

Background[link]

Dilip Prabhavalkar gained a Master's degree in Biophysics and a diploma from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, before working for a pharmaceutical company and as a partner in a video production unit. During this period, he performed as an actor in several children's and experimental plays staged at Chhabildas.

Acting[link]

His first major performance was in Lobh Nasava Hi Vinanti a play written by Vijay Tendulkar and directed by Arvind Deshpande. In 1991, he decided to choose acting as a career.

In 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 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.

He gained huge popularity because of his role as Chimanrao in the television serial Chimanrao Gundyabhau based on a series of short stories by C.V. Joshi. His Chimanrao is still popular and he recreated this character in his play Hasva Phasvi.

Dilip Prabhavalkar starred in a Bollywood movie Encounter: The Killing as an old gangster, Punappa Avade in 2002. He achieved nationwide recognition when he portrayed Mahatma Gandhi in 2006's Lage Raho Munna Bhai. The film created a nationwide awareness of Gandhian thoughts through the protagonist Munnabhai played by Sanjay Dutt. He reprised his role in the Telugu remake called Shankar Dada Zindabad.

His acting in a Marathi TV serial Shriyut Gangadhar Tipare, as Gangadhar Tipare gained a huge popularity. In this serial he portrayed an elderly member of a joint family. The serial covered social issues faced by common man in day-to-day life.

Awards[link]

• He was awarded the prestigious Bal Gandharva Puraskar (award) in June 2006. It is given to people who excel in the arts fields like acting, music, etc.
• In 1992, he received the Maharashtra State award for best actor for his portrayal of a disabled boy in the film Chaukat Raja.
• In 2008, he won National Award, for best supporting actor for 2 roles : in the cult 2006 blockbuster Lage Raho Munnabhai and Shevri, a Marathi film.

Film, television, and theater[link]

Films[link]

Television[link]

Theater[link]

• 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.

External links[link]

• Official Site
• Bokya Satbande: Marathi movie written by Dilip prabhavalkar
• "This Bapu wants to go under cover on Oct 2"
• "His moment under the sun: Unsung Dilip Prabhawalkar's life has changed after playing Mahatma Gandhi in the record-breaking film Lage Raho Munna Bhai"
• Dilip Prabhavalkar at the Internet Movie Database
• Dilip Prabhavalkar pictures