Laxmikant Berde

Laxmikant Berde
Born	(1954-10-26)26 October 1954 Ratnagiri, Bombay State, India
Died	16 December 2004(2004-12-16) (aged 50) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Years active	1984–2004
Spouse(s)	Roohi Berde (m.1985; d.1998) Priya Arun (m.1998)
Children	Abhinay Berde, Swanandi Berde

Laxmikant Berde (Marathi: लक्ष्मीकांत बेर्डे) (26 October 1954 – 16 December 2004;^[1]Mumbai) was an Indian actor who appeared in Marathi and Hindi movies. Known for his highly energetic slapstick performances, he has been described as the 'Comedy King' and 'Comedy Superstar' of Marathi cinema. Berde started his career as an employee in 'Marathi Sahitya Sangh' production company and played supporting roles in a few Marathi stage plays. In 1983-84, he first tasted success with the superhit Marathi play 'Toor Toor'. Since 1985, Berde virtually stormed Marathi cinema with a string of superhit comedy films that catapulted him as one of the two superstars of Marathi comedy cinema with actor Ashok Saraf.

He was one of the few actors in Marathi film industry that had a massive fan following and his films were commercially successful, whether he played the solo lead or acted in a multi-starrer. Apart from Marathi movies, his comedy stage plays like 'Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe' and 'Bighadale Swargache Dwaar' were also successful. Laxmikant Berde has acted in many Bollywood films. He also received four Nominations for Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role Berde's brand of comedy and comic timing serves as a reference point today for many upcoming Marathi actors.

Early life

Laxmikant was interested in acting. His participation in stage dramas during the cultural activities for Ganesh festival celebrations performed at Konkanasth Vaishya Samaj, Girgaon got him interested in acting. He won awards for participation in inter-school and inter-college drama competitions. Following this, Berde started his acting career with the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh.^[2] In 1983–84, he acquired his first major role in Purshottam Berde's Marathi stage play Tour Tour which became a hit and Berde's style of comedy was appreciated.

Film career

While working as an employee in the 'Marathi Sahitya Sangh', Laxmikant Berde started acting in bit roles in Marathi stage plays. Berde made his movie debut with the Marathi movie Lek Chalali Sasarla.^[2] While balancing Marathi stage plays and movies, Berde got his first brush with fame in 1983–84 with the hit Marathi stage play "Toor-Toor". Subsequently, he and actor Mahesh Kothare starred together in films Dhoom Dhadaka (1984) and De Dana Dan (1985). Both these movies turned super hits in which Berde established his trademark comedy style making him famous overnight.

Berde virtually ruled Marathi cinema from 1985 to 2000 giving a string of blockbusters such as Aamhi Doghe Raja Rani, Hamaal De Dhamaal, Ashi Hi Banava Banavi, Balache Baap Brahmachari, Eka Peksha Ek, Bhootacha Bhau, Thartharat, Dhadakebaaz and Zapatlela.

In 1992, Berde tried to break away from his comedy mould and acted in a serious role in the film 'Ek Hota Vidushak'. But the film was not a commercial success and Berde reverted to his trademark comedy, albeit disappointed with the film's failure.

In most movies, he starred either alongside director-actor Mahesh Kothare or with actor Ashok Saraf. The Laxmikant Berde - Ashok Saraf pair is recognized to be the most successful lead actor pairs in Indian cinema (if the number of super hit movies are to be taken into account).^[3] That decade will be best remembered by the Marathi film industry as the "Ashok-Lakshya" era. Both actors remained best friends until Berde died. In most movies, Berde was paired with actress and his future wife Priya Arun.

Berde's first Hindi film was Sooraj Barjatya's Maine Pyar Kiya starring Salman Khan in 1989. Some of his other popular Hindi films include Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Aarzoo, Saajan, Beta, 100 Days and Anari. Berde also kept working as the lead actor in super hit Marathi stage plays like "Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe" and others.

Death

Laxmikant Berde died in Mumbai on 16 December 2004 due to a kidney ailment.^[4] In the last years of his life, Berde floated his own production house 'Abhinay Arts', named after his son. Very few know that Laxmikant Berde was a very good ventriloquist and guitar player.

The who's who of the Marathi film industry gathered to bid a tearful farewell to him, amongst which Mahesh Kothare, Ashok Saraf and Sachin Pilgaonkar were present.

Marathi films

Marathi drama

1. Toor Toor (1983)
2. Abab Vitoba bolu lagala
3. Gharat Hasare tare
4. Pandit ata tari shahane vha
5. Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe (1989)
6. Bighadale Dwar Swargache
7. Ashvamedh
8. Sir aale dhaun
9. Karti Premat Padli
10. Lele Viruddha lele
11. Nanda Saukhya Bhare
12. Uchalbangadi

Hindi films

References

External links

• Laxmikant Berde on IMDb