Mahesh Manjrekar - Biography

Mahesh Manjrekar has touched all corners when it comes to film-making. An actor, director, producer and writer – he has done it all. Born in Mumbai, Mahesh Manjrekar began as an actor in theater in 1984 with Aflatoon, a Marathi play. Director His directorial debut was a Marathi language movie Aai (1995) that was appreciated. He started directing movies in Bollywood with Vaastav: the Reality (1999) which starred Sanjay Dutt. Astitva (2000) which had Tabu in the lead was another critical success. It was about a woman who has an extra-marital affair and has to confront the past. It won the National Film Award for Best regional Film. He went on to direct movies like Kurukshetra (2000), Rakth (2004) and Viruddh (2005). Actor As an actor, Mahesh Manjrekar gave a good performance as Raj Bali Yadav in Kaante (2002) alongside stars like Sunil Shetty, Sanjay Dutt and Amitabh Bachchan. The movie was based on Reservoir Dogs. He also acted in movies that he directed like It Was Raining That Night (2005), Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav (2005) and Deha (2007). He has also acted in a Telugu movie Okkadunnadu (2007). Slumdog Millionaire that was a runaway hit in 2008 saw him as the gangster Javed. In 2009, his fans have a year to look forward to with releases like Pankh, Wanted Dead and Alive, 99 and Teen Patti.