Dilip Prabhavalkar

Dilip Prabhavalkar (born 4 August 1944) is an Indian Marathi actor, director, playwright and author. He has a career spanning over five decades in Hindi and Marathi theatre, television and movies. He is recipient of a National Film Award, five Maharashtra State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards Marathi and a Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar. He was honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and V. Shantaram Special Contribution Award in 2011 by the Government of Maharashtra.

Early life Born in Mumbai, Dilip Prabhavalkar obtained a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga. He gained his master's degree in Biophysics and a diploma from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, before working for a pharmaceutical company. He went on to star in various plays including Vaasuchi Sasu, Sandhyachaya, Naatigoti, Javai Maza Bhala, Kalam 302 and Ghar Tighanche Have. He debuted on Marathi television by playing Chimanrao in the television serial Chimanrao Gundyabhau. He went on to star in television shows like Turtur and Shriyut Gangadhar Tipre. He reprised his role in the Telugu remake called Shankar Dada Zindabad. From the experimental stage, Prabhavalkar very easily moved to the professional stage in 1976, and since then has acted in plays from slapstick to light comedy, family drama, and melodrama, to serious discussion plays dealing with contemporary issues.

Prabhavalkar was recently seen in Faster Fene, a movie inspired by the popular Marathi book series of the same name, authored by B. R. Bhagwat, who he portrays in the film. The film is about a young boy who uncovers an educational scam using his detective prowess. In 2018, he did a talk show called Chimanrao Tey Gandhi, where he narrated the process behind each of his roles.

In 2025, he starred Dashavatar which become highest grossing marathi film of year.

Writing In 1994, he wrote a play titled Chuk Bhul Dyavi Ghyavi. He has authored 28 books and has also won a Sahitya Akademi Award for his children’s book, Bokya Satbande.

Filmography

Films

Television

Theater Double role as Anna and the mother-in-law in Pradeep Dalvi's farce Vasuchi Sasu. The Old Rajabhau in Chukbhul 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. A disabled professor in "Waah Guru". Tatyasaheb in Patra Patri directed by Vijay Kenkre

Awards 1972 - Best Amateur Actor ("Prem Kahani") Maharashtra State Award. 1992 - Maharashtra State Award for best actor for his portrayal of a disabled boy in the film Chaukat Raja. 1999 - Filmfare Best Actor Award(Marathi) for the film Ratraaarambh 2006 - Bal Gandharva Puraskar 2006 - National Film Award for best supporting actor in Lage Raho Munnabhai 2010 - Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution as an actor to Indian Theatre. Natavarya Mama Pendse Puraskrut Natasamrat Ganpatrao Bhagwat Puraskar 2012 - V. Shantaram Special Contribution Award 2015 - Suvarnaratna Awards(Best Actor) 2019 - PIFF Distinguished Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indian cinema.