Kashinath Ghanekar

Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar
Born
Kashinath Ghanekar

14 September 1930
Died 2 March 1986 (aged 55)
Amravati, Maharashtra, India
Education BDS (Mumbai)
Occupation(s) Theatre, movie actor
Spouse(s) Irawati Bhide (divorced)
Kanchan Ghanekar
(m. 1983)
Children Rashmi Ghanekar
Relatives Sulochana Latkar (mother-in-law)

Kashinath Ghanekar (14 August 1930 - 2 March 1986) was a popular stage actor and dental surgeon.

Early life

Ghanekar was born in the Chiplun and did his schooling and higher studies in Chiplun, Maharashtra, India.

Personal life

He married twice. He was married to Irawati M. Bhide, a gynaecologist and obstetrician. His first marriage was childfree and ended in divorce. He subsequently married a much younger Kanchan, the daughter of Marathi actress Sulochana Latkar. This marriage was harmonious, and after his death, Kanchan penned a biography titled Nath Ha Maza, meaning "such was my husband".

Career

Ghanekar was the first superstar of the Marathi stage with a lot of glamour, and he was the highest paid star from the years 1960 to 1980. He appeared in Marathi films in the 1960s. In addition to Marathi stage and movies, he appeared in Hindi movies such as Abhilasha opposite Nanda and Dadi Maa where he played the role of the son of Ashok Kumar and Bina Rai.

The role that made him a popular actor was that of Sambhaji in the play "Raigadala Jevha Jaag Yete" (When Raigad awakens) written by the play writer, Vasant Kanetkar. Most notable character ever played by him was "Lalya" in the play Ashroonchi Zhali Phule. Some of the other noted plays he acted in are - Ithe Oshalala Mrutyu, Garambicha Bapu, Anandi Gopal, Shitu, Tujhe Aahe Tujpashi, Sundar Mi Honar, Madhumanjiri etc.

The film Madhuchandra (in 1968) made Ghanekar, a noted stage actor, a major Marathi film star. One of his most popular films in Marathi is the mystery movie Ha Khel Savlyancha with Asha Kale.

Death and legacy

Ghanekar died of a heart attack during one of the tours of his plays, at his hotel room at Amravati.

Theatre

Below is a list of stage plays where Ghanekar played a significant role. Year mentioned is when the Play was first performed on a public stage.

Year Name of Play
1952 Shitu
Tujhe Aahe Tujpashi
Sundar Mi Honar
Madhumanjiri
Laxmi Aali Ghara
1962 Raygadala jevha jaag yete
1963 Ashroonchi Zhali Phule
1968 Ithe Oshalala Mrutyu
1972 Garambicha Bapu
Guntata Hruday He
1976 Anandi Gopal

Filmography

Year Film
1952 Laxmi Aali Ghara
1953 Dharm Patni
1963 Maratha Tituka Melvava
1964 Paathlaag
1965 Padchaya
1966 Daadi Maa (Hindi)
1967 Madhuchandra
1968 Ekati
Preet Shikva Mala
Abhilasha (Hindi)
1970 Deo Manus
Garambicha Bapu
Manla Tar Dev
1971 Ajab Tuze Sarkar
Zep
1975 Ghar Gangecha Kathi
1976 Ha Khel Savalyancha
1978 Chandra Hota sakshila