Upendra Limaye

Upendra Limaye was born and grew up in a middle-class, conservative family in Pune’s Sadashiv Peth. His upbringing was shaped by a curious mixture of both: orthodoxy and somewhat liberal leanings. His father’s side was strictly conventional, adhering to the respected, age-old traditions. But his mother’s family, living nearby, was somewhat open and liberal, drawn to humour, poetry, artistic pursuits, tasteful cinema etc. Thus, he grew up, assimilating the best of both. He respected traditions, yet harboured a yearning for innovation.

Upendra Limaye studied up to the 10th standard in New English High School, Tilak Road, Pune. He was more interested in extra-curricular activities than studies. This prompted him to start taking part in the school’s social gatherings plays. He didn’t know it then. But the seeds of his career were sown in those school dramas. The school nurtured the growth of dramatic art. And his drama teacher, Mrs Bhanutai, supported and encouraged him, boosting his confidence in his ability to act. He took part in several school drama competitions, also became the school’s cultural representative, and developed a real liking for drama.

But immediately after joining the college, to earn his upkeep, he secured a job with Pune’s Alurkar Music House, the only regular job he has ever held. The job, as destiny would have it, lasted just a year. For not long after, he met three like-minded theatre devotees, Sanjay Pawar, Subodh Pande and Abhay Godse who, like him, yearned to do something different in the theatre field. So, in 1988, the four friends got together and founded an Experimental Theatre platform called ‘Parichay’, and launched their novel dramatic movement.

He began acting in school, in plays organised for social gatherings. Developing a liking for the stage, in college he opted to major in dramatic art. While studying, he co-founded, with three like-minded friends, an Experimental Theatre platform called ‘Parichay’, which produced a variety of plays over the course of next 9 years. And his various roles in those plays established him as an accomplished actor and brought him into prominence. This led to parts in Marathi parallel cinema and eventually in Hindi mainstream movies.

His fresh, sincere and inspiring approach to acting was evident in his lead role in the Marathi film, ‘Jogwa,’ directed by noted film maker Rajiv Patil. His controlled, understated yet forceful performance earned him the Best Male Actor award at the 56th National Films Awards in 2010, making him the first Marathi actor to be honoured with the distinction in the awards’ history. Besides ‘Jogwa’, he has appeared in several National award-winning films, like ‘Mukta,’ ‘Bangarwadi,’ ‘Sarkarnama,’ ‘Dhyasparva’, ‘Chandni Bar,’ ‘Page 3,’ ‘Traffic Signal,’ to mention a few. He continues to be in popular demand by Marathi, Hindi and South Indian film makers.

He was the first member of his family to become a stage, television and screen actor. He had no hereditary ‘gift’ to bank on. Nor any of the advantages of the privileged. His rise as an acclaimed actor was the result of many unnoticed things. Passion, hard work, learning from actual experience, an open, enquiring, receptive mind avidly imbibing influences from all around him, humility to listen to and learn from the noted, established personalities in his field he came to work with, faith in himself. And, above all - as he frankly admits it - sheer luck. Luck in being at the right place at the right time and meeting the right people who gave him opportunities, boosted him, helped him hone his craft and evolve into a sincere, committed, professional artist.

That changed in the 11th standard when one day he happened to see a professional drama called, ‘Padgham’, directed by Jabbar Patel. With its student union theme and powerful performances, ‘Padgham’ exerted a profound effect on Upendra. For the first time, he felt the sheer strength of drama. He sensed its amazing power to entertain, influence and move audiences. He was awed by its potential to offer artists a limitless field for personal creativity and expression. Now he knew he wanted to be an actor.

On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, Forbes included Limaye's performance in the film on its list, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".

So, after the 12th exam, he told his family he was going to join Lalit Kala Kendra, the Centre for Performing Arts, to major in dramatic art. No one objected to his decision. His father just told him, "Do whatever you like to do, but be at the top!" A familial injunction he has scrupulously tried to fulfill till date.

Contribution to his Profession Maharashtra Ratna Puraskar Year : 2010

Contribution to his Profession Ninad Puraskar Year : 2010

Kalarang Award Year : 2009 Film Sarkar Raj / Urus

Shivaji Ganeshan Award Year : 2009 Film Jogwa

Sanskriti Kaladarpan Award Year : 2009 Film Jogwa

Maharashtra Times Award Year : 2009 Film Jogwa

Rashtriya Ratna Award Year : 2006 Film Page 3

Maharashtra Times Award Year : 2005 Film Page 3

Natya Gaurav Award Year : 1996 Play Jallai Tuzi Preet

Kalnirnaya Award Year : 1996 Play Jallai Tuzi Preet

Upendra Limaye (born 8 November 1969) is an Indian film actor, who won the National Film Award for his role in the Marathi film Jogwa.