Born as Mahesh Vaman Manjrekar, Mahesh Manjrekar is an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter, and producer who works primarily in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Bhojpuri films. Manjrekar has acted in several films, including some of his productions. He studied at Don Bosco High School, Mumbai, and then completed his graduation from the University of Mumbai.He wanted to become an actor since childhood and joined theatre in college. In 1994, he played a role in the Marathi play Aflatoon and has been a part of several other plays like All the best, Dhyanimani, etc.In his film career span of 20 years, he has worked in 75 films and written and directed almost 25 films. Manjrekar made his acting debut in the Marathi movie Jeeva Sakha (1992), in which he plays the role of Inspector Jamdade. He was also seen in Kshitij Ye Nahi (1992), a Doordarshan Marathi series, where he got the part of a leprosy patient.Manjrekar became famous with his directorial debut movie Vaastav: The Reality (1999). He also directed films like Nidaan (2000) and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain (2000).His performance in the movie Kaante (2002) as Raja "Balli" Yadav got him appreciation from the audience and his critics. He played the role of Sultan in the movie Plan (2004). In the same year, he worked in movies like Run (2004) as Ganpat Chowdhury and Musafir (2004) as Lukka.Manjrekar played the role of Joy Fernandes in Zinda (2006), which also starred Sanjay Dutt. He also appeared in the Telugu film Okkadunnadu (2007) and then in the same year as Mahesh in a role in Dus Kahaniyaan (2007)One of his most remembered performances is in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008), an Oscar-winning movie in which he plays the role of Don Javed.Another role that got him appreciation was negative in the movie Wanted (2008), as Senior Inspector Daulat R. Talpade. In 2010 he appeared in Teen Patti (2010) and the movie Dabangg (2010).In 2011, he collaborated with Aniruddha Deshpande and established his own production company, Great Maratha Entertainment LLP Productions. The first film released under his production house was the Marathi movie Fakta Ladh Mhana (2011).Manjrekar was next seen in Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011), and OMG: Oh My God! (2012). He was also a part of Mumbai Mirror (2013), Shootout at Wadala (2013), and the Tamil film Arrambam (2013).Manjrekar has also been a part of Jai Ho (2014), Singham Returns (2014), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Sanju (2018), Total Dhamaal (2019), Saaho (2019), Dabangg 3 (2019) and The White Tiger (2021).In 2022 he appeared in the Telugu movies Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022) and Mister Mummy (2022).He has also appeared on several TV shows and serials like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2006) as a Contestant, Maharashtracha Superstar (2010) as a Judge, and Bigg Boss Marathi (2018) as the host in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023. He also appeared as Kismat Bhai in Taaza Khabar (2023).He ventured into the OOT platform with a Marathi web series, Kaale Dhande (2019) and Forbidden Love (2020).Manjrekar has won a total of 22 awards and has been nominated for 31 awards. The awards that felicitated Manjrekar for his performances are the National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards, IIFA Awards, Screen Awards, Filmfare Marathi Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Maharashtra State Film Awards, Pune International Film Festival, Marathi International Cinema & Theatre Awards, Maharashtracha Favourite Kon?, Colors Marathi Awards, and Sakal Premier Awards.
