Anand Abhyankar (2 June 1963[1] – 24 December 2012) was an Indian actor who appeared in Marathi film, television and theatre. He starred in films such as Spandan (2012), Balgandharva (2011), Matichya Chuli (2006), Vaastav (1999) and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain. On television, he is known for his roles in Mala Sasu Havi, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Fu Bai Fu, Avaghachi Sansar and Asambhav.

Anand Abhyankar
Born(1963-06-02)2 June 1963[1]
Died24 December 2012(2012-12-24) (aged 49)[2]
Pune, Maharashtra, India
OccupationActor
SpouseAnjali Abhyankar
Children2

Abhyankar died on 24 December 2012 in a car crash on the Mumbai-Pune expressway near the Urse toll booth.[3][4]

Early life and education

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Abhyankar was born and brought up in Nagpur, Maharashtra in a middle-class family to parents, Moreshwar and Ashadevi, on 2 June 1963. His father was a labour welfare officer and his mother worked at the Indian Postal Service. Abhyankar completed his schooling from Nagpur and moved to Pune, Maharashtra to study commerce from the Garware College.

He worked at Bajaj Auto for over two years before turning to acting professionally.[1]

Career

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Abhyankar developed interest in acting while in college while performing in plays. Later, he joined various theatre groups. His first big break came with the commercial play Kuryat Sada Tingalam. Written by Shivraj Gorle, this comedy play was produced by Rasikraj Productions and directed by Mangesh Kadam. The play also starred actors Mohan Joshi and Suhasini Deshpande. The play was successful and performed more than 1000 shows.[5] Abhyankar also performed in the Marathi play Aai Retire Hotey,[1] alongside actress Bhakti Barve; this show was performed more than 950 times.[6] He also played Paropkari Gampu and Gaja Khot for the theatrical adaptations of the book Vyakti Aani Valli written by Pu La Deshpande.

Abhyankar also played various cameo and side roles in many Marathi as well as Hindi films. His Bollywood films include Vaastav (1999) and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain (2000), both directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. He was seen in a few commercial advertisements as well. His film career in Marathi spanned from comedy, serious to character roles. In the 2006 film Matichya Chuli, he replaced the deceased actor Sudhir Joshi. The film thus has the same character played by two different actors. He also directed one Marathi film, Majhi Vithai Mauli.[6]

Abhyankar starred in various Marathi television shows. His earliest roles include the show Gharkul that aired on DD Sahyadri. His recent role of Dinanath Shashtri from the serial Asambhav (2009) was of an 85-year-old man, almost double his age.[7] His portrayal of a man suffering with Parkinson's disease was highly appreciated and won him awards.[6] He also participated in the comedy competitive show Fu Bai Fu, paired with actress Supriya Pathare. Before his death in December 2012, Abhyankar was seen playing a character role in the Zee Marathi's show Mala Sasu Havi, alongside actress Asawari Joshi, which was later played by Rajan Bhise.[8] His last Marathi film Gadbad Gondhal, directed by Yogesh Dattatraya Gosavi has released in 2018.

Death

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Abhyankar died in a car crash on Mumbai-Pune Expressway on 23 December 2012, when his Suzuki Wagon R was hit by a tempo (an Indian 3-wheel vehicle) coming from the opposite direction.[9] He was returning to Mumbai after finishing the shoot of his upcoming film Duniyadari.[10] Akshay Pendse, his co-star from the TV show Mala Sasu Havi and his two-year-old son Pratyush Pendse, also died in the same crash.[11] Abhyankar is survived by his wife Anjali, a daughter and a son.[12] His family filed for compensation in Motor Accident Claims Tribunal and received 72 lakh (US$75,000) in 2018.[13]

Filmography

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Films

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YearTitleRoleLanguage
1998Tu Tithe MeeMarathi
1999Ratra AarambhaMarathi
1999VaastavHindi
2000Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta HainHindi
2001Tera Mera Saath RahenHindi
2001Akleche KandeMarathi
2004Kunku Lavte MaherchaDinkar DeshmukhMarathi
2006Hi Porgi KunachiDeshmukhMarathi
2006Matichya ChuliMarathi
2007BhulwaMarathi
2008Ek Vivaah... Aisa BhiHindi
2008CheckmateMarathi
2009Chal ChaleinVaishnavi's fatherHindi
2009Mareparyant FashiWriterMarathi
2010Pappu Can't Dance SaalaHindi
2011BalgandharvaBalgandharva's MamaMarathi
2012SpandanDoctor (Cerebral Palsy)Marathi
2013KokanasthaPosthumous releaseMarathi
2018Gadbad GondhalAkhilesh Desai (posthumous release)Marathi

Television

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YearTitleRoleLanguageChannel
1998-2001Hum Sab Ek HainEpisode 4 - Mr. Alexander

Episode 41 - Mr. Matthew

Episode 139 - Mr. Jackson/ Jaikishan

HindiSony Entertainment Television
1999-2003AbhalmayaMarathiAlpha TV Marathi
GharkulMarathiDD Sahyadri
2004-2006Vadalvaat MarathiAlpha TV Marathi
2006Char Divas SasucheMarathiETV Marathi
2008-2010Avaghachi SansarRaghunath MohiteMarathiZee Marathi
2007-2009AsambhavDinanath ShashtriMarathiZee Marathi
2011Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah ChashmahBhau KakaHindiSony Sab
2011Fu Bai FuContestantMarathiZee Marathi
2012Mala Sasu HaviAabaMarathiZee Marathi

Theater

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TitleRole
Kuryat Sada Tingalam
Aai Retire Hotey
Vyakti Aani ValliParopkari Gampu, Gaja Khot
Asa Me Kai Gunha Kela
Ghetla Shingawar
Pappa Sanga Kunache

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Paranjpe, Shailendra (24 December 2012). "Anand Abhyankar was an ever-smiling man". DNA. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  2. "Anand Abhyankar, Akshay Pendse killed in road accident". The Times of India. 24 December 2012. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  3. "Kalyani Jadhav to Anand Abhyankar; Marathi actors who died in fatal accidents". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  4. "Marathi actors Anand Abhyankar, Akshay Pendse killed in accident". Firstpost. 24 December 2012. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  5. "B4U Plus". www.b4uplus.com. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Kharade, Pallavi (30 November 2009). "'I wanted to become a director'". Pune: DNA. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  7. Dr. Mandpe, Asha (3 January 2009). "On stage, the good old grace". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  8. Phadke, Aparna (2 January 2013). "Rajan Bhise to replace ate Anand Abhyankar in Mala Sasu Havi". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 January 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. Paranjpe, Shailendra (25 December 2012). "Shocked driver recalls moments before collision". DNA India. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  10. "अभिनेते आनंद अभ्यंकर यांचे निधन" (in Marathi). Pune: Maharashtra Times. 24 December 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  11. "Two Marathi actors killed in road accident". Mid-Day. 24 December 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  12. "Actors Abhyankar, Pendse killed in accident on Expressway". Mid-Day. Pune. 25 December 2012. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  13. "Lok Adalat awards Rs 72 lakh compensation to late Marathi actor Anand Abhyankar's family". Hindustan Times. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
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