Notable figure in Marathi and Hindi cinema, renowned for his versatility as a director and character actor. Born in Amravati, he began his journey in the world of acting at a tender age, performing on amateur stages as a child actor.
As a young man, he founded Arun Players in Pune, where he staged critically acclaimed productions of Chekov's Cherry Orchard and Harindranath Chattopadhyay's Returned from Abroad. His cinematic influences were deeply rooted, with Ernst Lubitsch's The Patriot (1928) being a significant source of inspiration.
He made his mark in films as a writer of English intertitles at Prabhat, before transitioning to bit parts. Under the guidance of Bhalji Pendharkar, he honed his craft and went on to work with prominent filmmakers, including Master Vinayak's Huns Pictures, Minerva Movietone, and P.K. Atre's company.
One of his most notable achievements was his work on the film Ramshastri, which he directed and starred in, taking over the project from Raja Nene and Bedekar. He also delivered a standout performance as the Muslim patriarch in Shantaram's Shejari.
In addition to his impressive body of work, he was appointed as the first director of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 1960, where he became a respected pedagogue, applying theoretical concepts to local conditions. His book on acting, published in 1983, remains a seminal work in the field.
Throughout his career, he published two autobiographies, in 1971 and 1986, offering a candid glimpse into his life and experiences. He also ventured into television, creating the popular serial Swami, which chronicled the life of Madhavrao Peshwa and celebrated Marathi chauvinism.
