Thursday, December 15, 2005

The Ideal Grandpa-Uncle

There are very few actors whose performances touch your heart and remain in memory forever. Sudhir Joshi was one such actor. Compared to Marathi films, Marathi Theatre is extremely rich and produces some fine plays every year. The actors therefore have the platform to explore their talents. To add to it, Zee TV by beginning the Marathi regional channel (a few years back) brought home a whole lot of new talented actors and the old veterans as well.

Sudhir Joshi played all sorts of roles in films and theatres. The cunning villain, the comedy uncle, the stern father/grandapa. He acted in Hindi films as well as serials. The one performance that will stay on in my mind forever is his portrayal of Grandfather in the serial Prapancha’ on then Zee-Alpha now Zee-Marathi; the ever-understanding father, the best friend to his grand-children, the caring patriarch. Years after the serial is over his performance still lingers in the mind.

The one play I badly wanted to see and will now never see him perform was ‘I am not Bajirao’. Along with Boman Irani he received rave reviews for his performance and the play was top-notch. He played the quintessential funny uncle in most marathi films to perfection and along with Lakshmikant Berde, Sachin, Ashok Saraf, Prashant Damle (all noted marathi actors) produced a laughing riot.


We as humans are always greedy. You don’t want the good things to end and hope that things will be as is. Fans must have hoped that he gives endless notable performances for them to savour. He could have for a few years more, but God decided otherwise. He left for the heavenly abode a little too early. He will be sorely missed. It’s a tremendous loss for the Marathi Theatre, Television and Film Industry.

May his soul rest in peace…

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isnt that a Rajit Kapoor aka Vyomkesh Bakshi's play? I've seen that way back around 10yrs may be.
My fav. performance of Sudhir Joshi was in Shanteche Karte Chalu Ahe.
Check out this part where Lakshya teaches him to act as a villian.
"HiHiHahahahaha Bokwaaaas Band"
Ketan

Minal said...

@Ketan :Yup that is Rajit Kapoor. He along with Rahul Da Cunha and Shernaz Patel( Rani's mum in Black) are the brains behing Rage Prodcutions which has produced lays like I'm not bajirao, class of '84, Mahatma Vs Gandhi...
I have not seen the entirep lay" Shantecha KArta Chalu aahe" but I've seen parts on TV and tht line u mentioned was indded hilarious...it is indeed tragic we lost him so early

Sunil said...

no one.....and that means no one was more lovable than Hangal as elder brother/father/father-in-law.

Not familiar with Marathi theater or cinema.....but Joshi seems wonderful.

Minal said...

@Sunil: Ak Hangal:-) I don't remember his name but even the gentleman in "Golmaal" who played Amol Palekar's uncle and seen many a movies was lovable too:-)
Sudhir Joshi was really wonderful and will be sorely missed.

Tugga said...

That was David

Minal said...

@Tugga: Thanks!!!

Mystic Bard said...

First LAxmikant n now Sudhir Joshi.His demise came as a real sad setback.
So many times I procrastinated my plans to go n watch I m not Bajirao n now i feel like slappin myself for doin so.

Prapanch!Oh yes Prapanch.Sudhir Joshi almost lived that role. The calm but loving granpa.

Sudhir Joshi would really be missed.

Minal said...

@Sublime Thoughts: Yes exact same feelings of not going for I'm not Bajirao. Will regret it for a long time. Prapanch was one of my favourite serials. The house, the family, their grandpa...ideal weren't they despite their flaws and shortcomings?

Mystic Bard said...

Hmm...seems like a distant memory now.Was in college then or probably just passed out.Sudhir Joshi,Sunil Barve,Rasika as the fiery theatre artist..could relate to her in many aspects..for me one performance that was really etched in my mind was Bharat Jadhav's silent, stoic but not any less caring and doting portryal of dada.Before all the current facial histronics that he does to earn money aka sahi re sahi,there was a sincere artist who could play any role to perfection...hmmm...

Since we are on this topic pardon me for digressing so profusely - have you seen Jaywant Dalvi's Andharachya Parambya which was one of the stories shown on Pimpalpan?Bhakti Barve's last bow before making an exit..the gritty portryal of mavshi..as Atul Kulkarni and Prasad Oak n Mrinal Kulkarni...hmmm...those were the days..

Anonymous said...

we are a group of amateurs in Australia more in to Marathi stage. We are thinking of staging a hindi play. Can someone suggest good comedy plays in hindi? also let me know where can I get scipts please?

Anonymous said...

Prapanch was, rather is my all time fav serial by pratima kulkarni. And of course completely agree that sudhir joshi had given one of his best natural performance in that. Every character in that serial is close to my heart. Everyone has performed in the best 'normal' way they can, may be thats what makes the whole plot touch the common man. I am not a blogger as such, but if any of you guys know where I can get the cd/dvd or nay form of prapancha, please do upload the information. Thanks Minal for such a nice blog.