An actor who took up directing after almost a decade, Ashutosh Gowariker is one of those rare people who take the path less taken and, although it was a rough going, he is now one of India's elite directors. He began his film career modeling in commercials by Govind Nihalani and Jenny Pinto. He entered Hindi cinema with Ketan Mehta'sHoli (1984), as Ranjeet
Prakash, one of the main protagonists. The same film which marked Aamir Khan’s child artist spree. His acting career continued with Mahesh Bhatt's Naam (1986), David Rathod's West Is West (1987), Saeed Akhtar Mirza's Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989), Jalal Agha's Goonj (1989), Anant Balani's Gawahi (1989), and Kundan Shah's Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993). He also acted in award-winning Marathi-language films such as the Ujwal Thengdi creation Vazir (1994) and Shraboni Deodhar_'s Sarkarnama (1998). Alongside these features, TV serials like Amol Palekar's "Kachchi Dhoop" (1987), the Saeed Akhtar Mirza & Aziz Mirza-Kundan Shah collaboration "Circus" (1989), and Pradeep Uppoor and B.P. Singh's "C.I.D." (1999) also found him in front of the camera--and, incidentally, brought him into contact with the finest minds in contemporary Indian cinema.
Journey as Bollywood Maestro!!!
All the exposure gave Gowariker a desire to helm the camera . He has made five films. His first film was Pehla Nasha with Aamir khan which sank without a trace. Baazi (1995), enjoyed average success. It told the story of the nexus between politicians, gunrunners and terrorists and a righteous cop (Aamir Khan) who is hell-bent on breaking this ring.
He shot to fame with film Lagaan This was not only the top money grosser but also bagged all the awards and was also nominated as best foreign film at the academy awards. The film veered away from most norms used in the making of a commercial Hindi film-it was a period drama set in rural India; its language was a dialect; a British cast was included; it is a musical and, above all, it was a film about sports. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign-language Film and earned worldwide raves for its direction. In the meantime, Gowariker directed a series of five commercials for Coca-Cola. These too became hits and won accolades at every advertising function in India.
He basked in the glory of his third film, Swades (2004), which, although not as great a hit as Lagaan (2001), is being praised by critics.
His last released film is Jodha-Akbar (2006), which made waves all over. Though a little too long, the movie had bagged all the awards and applauded everywhere.
Ashutosh is busy with his next romantic comedy film these days titled What’s Your Rashee? starring Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja in the lead.
Filmography
Actor:
1. C.I.D. (1999) TV series .... (1999-2001)
2. Sarkarnama (1998) .... Photo journalist
3. Vazir(1994)
4. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993) (as Ashutosh Gowarikar) .... Imran
5. Chamatkar (1992/I) (as Ashutosh Gowarikar) .... Monty
6. Jaanam (1992) .... Arun S. Rao
7. Indrajeet (1991)
8. Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989) .... Abdul
9. Goonj (1989) .... Saby
10. Circus(1989) TV series
11. Gawahi (1989)
12. Kamla Ki Maut(1989) .... Deepak
... aka Kamla's Death
13. Kachchi Dhoop(1987) TV series
14. West Is West (1987) .... Vikran
15. Naam (1986) (as Ashootosh Gowarikar) .... Jaisingh Kalewar (Taxi Driver)
... aka Name
16. Holi(1984) .... Ranjeet Prakash
Director:
1. What's Your Raashee? (2009) (filming)
2. Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
3. Swades: We, the People (2004)
4. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
5. Baazi (1995)
6. Pehla Nasha (1993)
Writer
• In Production
1. What's Your Raashee?(2009) (filming) (screenplay)
2. Jodhaa Akbar(2008) (writer)
3. Swades: We, the People (2004) (story) (written by)
4. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) (screenplay) (story)
5. Baazi (1995) (writer)
Producer:
1. Jodhaa Akbar (2008) (producer)
2. Swades: We, the People (2004) (producer)
Soundtrack:
1. Swades: We, the People (2004) (performer: "Pal Pal Hai Bhaari")
Music Department:
1. Swades: We, the People (2004) (playback singer)
Casting Department:
1. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) (casting: Indians)
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