Sachin Pilgaonkar

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Sachin won National Award as Best Child actor in his debut film Sachin’s father had migrated to Mumbai and started printing press business but unfortunately his business failed and the family was in crises. Fortunately a Marathi filmmaker Madhavrao Shinde happened to see a cute looking Sachin, when he was just three and half year. He approached his father to sign Sachin as child actor for the film Soonbai (1961) and offered good money but his father declined. However when the family condition declined miserably his father tried to contact few filmmaker. Incidentally Marathi cinema’s legendary film director Raja Paranjape was looking for a 4 or 5 year old boy for his film Ha Maza Marga Ekala (1962). When Sachin’s father approached him with Sachin, Raja Paranjape was elated and hugged young Sachin. His sharp eyes had noticed a bundle of talent in Sachin. Raja Paranjape’s decision hit the bull’s eye as the movie was a major hit and Sachin, the debutant 4 year old child actor was applauded by film critics. The icing on the cake was the National Award, which Sachin won as Best Child actor in Ha Maza Marga Ekala. Sachin received the prestigious award by the hands of Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the second President of India.

Sachin fell in love with his heroine Supriya Sachin fell in love with his heroine Supriya when he was directing the Marathi film Navri Mile Navryala. Incidentally the name of the film itself means – Husband Meets Wife! After the couple became face in many movies they tied the nuptial knot. They have a daughter, Supriya Pilgaonkar, whom Sachin launched in his film Ekulti Ek. Once again the title of the film is related to his own life because Shriya is his only child.

Sachin proved his acting genius by winning second National Award as Child Actor Soon after the mega success of Ha Maza Marga Ekala, Sachin became the most popular and highest paid child actor, both in Hindi and Marathi Cinema. In fact, readers would be surprised to know that Sachin, is one of the few rare child actor to win 2 National Awards. After Ha Maza Marga Ekala, Sachin won another National Award for his other Marathi film, Ajab Tuje Sarkar (1972). In Hindi cinema, Sachin had the prestige of working with several top Bollywood stalwarts like Dilip Kumar ( Bairaag), Dev Anand (Jewel Thief), Shammi Kapoor (Brahmachari), Sanjeev Kumar (Chanda Aur Bijli, Brahmachari), Meena Kumari (Majhli Didi), Sachin was very close to Sanjeev Kumar and from the great actor he learned the nuances of acting. While from Meena Kumari he perfected his Urdu pronunciation and from film maker Hrishikesh Mukherjee he learned film editing and developed a passion for film direction. Sachin became a lucky mascot of Rajshri Productions' Unlike other child actors who went into oblivion, Sachin was fortunate that he was able to sustain his career in films. Though he could not make a big mark in Bollywood as a leading hero despite giving many super hit films produced by Rajshri Productions'. From his debut hit film Geet Gaata Chal to several other hit films like Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se, Balika Badhu and others, Sachin had become the lucky mascot of Rajshri production. In fact Rajshri Productions' Nadiya Ke Paar, starring Sachin was a box office bonanza, particular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, due to its rural theme. Readers would be stun to know, that two decades later Rajshri Productions' re-made Nadiya Ke Paar as Hum Aapke Hain Koun ! with Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit and changed the backdrop from rural to urban. The story was kept intact and the movie created history. Sachin switched to parallel roles in late 70’s After a brief success a hero with Rajshri production, Sachin had to swift to parallel roles as most of his films as hero failed like Aur Kaun, Sweety, College Girl, Gopal Krishna. Sachin tactfully switched to character roles doing strong supporting roles like in Sholay, Trishul, Judaai, Satte Pe Satta, Avtaar, Sur Sangam etc. Sachin’s foray in to Television In 1990 Sachin tasted success on TV with his hit comedy TV serial Tu Tu Main Main on DD Metro. Sachin not only acted but also directed the TV serial. This opened doors for Sachin in TV industry and he directed many serials like Rin 1 2 3 on DD Metro, Hudd Kar Di starring Dara Singh etc He also anchored Hindi music shows like Chalti Ka Naam Antakshari. He even won the dance Reality Show Nach Baliye with his wife Supriya in 2006 and won Rs 40 lakh prize money.