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{{Short description|Indian Actor, Writer, Producer, Director}}{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mahesh Kothare
| image = Mahesh Kothare (Cropped).jpg
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption = Kothare at [[Filmfare Marathi Awards|Filmfare Awards Marathi 2014]]
| birthname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1953|9|28}}
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| death_date = 
| death_place =
| occupation = {{hlist|Film producer|film director|actor}}
| yearsactive = 1964 – present
| spouse = {{marriage|Nilima Kothare|1980}}
| domesticpartner =
| children = [[Adinath Kothare]] (son)
| relatives = [[Urmilla Kothare]] (daughter-in-law)
| website =
}}
'''Mahesh Kothare''' ({{IPA|mr|məɦeːʃ koʈʰaːɾe}}, born 28 September 1953), is an Indian actor, director, producer, and screenwriter widely regarded as a revolutionary figure in [[Marathi cinema]]. He began his career as a child actor in Hindi films during the 1960s, appearing in classics such as ''[[Raja Aur Runk]]'', ''Chhota Bhai'', and ''[[Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1970 film)|Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani]]''. In the mid-1980s Kothare became a pioneering filmmaker in Marathi cinema, introducing several technological innovations such as Dolby Digital sound and 3D formats. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he has received numerous accolades, including the [[Maharashtra State Film Awards|Maharashtra State Film Award]] and the [[National Film Award for Best Children's Film]].

Kothare made his directorial debut with ''[[Dhum Dhadaka]]'' (1985), a box-office hit that set the tone for his signature style—mixing comedy, fantasy, and action. He followed it with successful films like ''[[Thartharat]]'' (1989), ''[[De Danadan]]'' (1987), ''[[Dhadakebaaz]]'' (1990), and ''[[Zapatlela]]'' (1993), which introduced the iconic villain [[Tatya Vinchu]], a ventriloquist’s dummy that became a cultural phenomenon. His sequel ''[[Zapatlela 2]]'' (2013) was the first Marathi film shot in 3D. Kothare is credited with pioneering several technological advancements in Marathi cinema, including the use of CinemaScope (''Dhadakebaaz''), Dolby Digital sound (''[[Chimani Pakhar]]''), and 3D filmmaking (''Zapatlela 2''). These innovations elevated the production standards of regional films and expanded their audience reach.

Over his career, Kothare has received numerous accolades, including the Maharashtra State Film Award and the National Film Award for Best Children's Film for ''Chimani Pakhar'' (2003). He is founder of [[Kothare Vision]], a production company primarily focused on creating mythological television series. Kothare published autobiography [[Damn It Ani Barach Kahi]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-12 |title=Marathi Actor-Director Mahesh Kothare Releases His Autobiography, 'Damn It Aani Barach Kahi' |url=https://www.news18.com/news/entertainment/marathi-actor-director-mahesh-kothare-releases-his-autobiography-damn-it-aani-barach-kahi-6816445.html |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=P>{{Cite web |last=शिकलगार |first=स्वालिया न |date=2021-09-28 |title=HBD महेश कोठारे : इन्स्पेक्टर महेश जाधव आजही मराठी मनात..! |url=https://pudhari.news/soneri/mahesh-kothare-2 |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=Pudhari News |language=mr}}</ref>

==Career==
Kothare started his career in his teens, in Hindi movies with roles in ''Raja aur Runk'' and ''Ghar Ghar ki Kahani''. He later switched to Marathi cinema, where he worked with well known stars and directors while continuing to make Hindi films without any noteworthy success. Kothare became a top Marathi director with hits including ''[[Dhum Dhadaka]]'', ''[[Zapatlela]]'', ''[[Zapatlela 2]]'', ''[[Khatarnak (2000 film)|Khatarnak]]'' and ''[[Khabardar (Marathi film)|Khabardar]]''.

In films ''Ghar Ka Bhedi'' and ''[[Lek Chalali Sasarla]],'' he played negative character.<ref name="P" />

Kothare, along with, [[Laxmikant Berde]], [[Sachin (actor)|Sachin Pilgaonkar]] and [[Ashok Saraf]] formed a successful quartet, giving hits after hits in the Marathi Cinema Industry in the 1980s and 1990s.

He also owns the [[Kothare Vision]] production house.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sabmumbai.com/maheshkothare/about%20me.html |title=Kothare Vision |access-date=12 August 2013 |archive-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227081147/http://sabmumbai.com/maheshkothare/about%20me.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the mid-1980s, Kothare and another young actor, [[Sachin Pilgaonkar]], helped to revolutionize the Marathi film industry with their directing. Pilgaonkar directed ''[[Navri Mile Navryala]]'', while Kothare directed ''[[Dhoom Dhadaka]]''. Both films became box office hits, but ''Dhum Dhadaka'' became a trendsetter which brought young audiences to recognize the Marathi style of movie-making. Kothare then went on to make comedies which also became major hits. He also made ''[[Dhadakebaaz]]'', the first Marathi film shot in [[CinemaScope]] and brought a number of innovations such as [[Dolby Digital]] sound to Marathi cinema with the film ''[[Chimani Pakhar]]''. He made ''[[Pachhadlela]]'' in 2004, which was the first Marathi film with computer-generated effects. Kothare was also the first Marathi filmmaker to produce science-fiction films.{{Sfn|Srinivas|2022|p=208}}

In the film ''Gupchup Gupchup'' and ''Thorali Jau'' he played supporting, character roles.<ref name="P" />

In the Marathi movies, he played supporting characters in films such as ''Devata'', ''Jabardast'', ''Majah Chakula'', ''De Dandan'', ''Khatarnak'', ''Tharthrat'', ''Zapatlela'', ''Zapatlela - 2, Shubha Mangal''.<ref name="P" />

In 2013, Kothare made the film ''Zapatlela 2'' in 3D with his son [[Adinath Kothare]] in the lead. The film was the sequel to his 1993 box office hit ''Zapatlela'', which has acquired a cult following amongst Marathi audiences and features a doll named Tatya Vinchu created by Ventriloquist and Puppeteer [[Ramdas Padhye]] and voiced by [[Dilip Prabhavalkar]] that comes to life. Kothare revived Tatya Vinchu with 3D, animatronics and state of the art CGI in the sequel ''Zapatlela 2'', which was the first Marathi film shot in 3D using split beam technology produced by Spanish stereographer Enrique Criado.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-third-dimension-of-marathi-cinema/1016236/ |title=The Third Dimension of Marathi Cinema |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011164148/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-third-dimension-of-marathi-cinema/1016236 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/terror-in-a-new-form/1128211/ |title=Terror in a new form |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011164149/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/terror-in-a-new-form/1128211 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was shot at [[ND Studios, Karjat]] and released on 7{{nbsp}}June 2013, going on to become a big hit over its 100-day run.

==Personal life==
Kothare is married to Nilima Kothare since 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |title=35 वर्षांपूर्वी जमली महेश कोठारेंची निलीमा यांच्यासोबत जोडी, अशी आहे दोघांची Love Story |url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/bol-mb-mahesh-kothare-and-neelima-kothares-love-story-5226725-pho.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Divya Marathi}}</ref> His son [[Adinath Kothare]] is an actor married to [[Urmilla Kothare]].

== Filmography ==
{{BLP unsourced section|date=November 2021}}
As an actor, Kothare appeared primarily as a Police Inspector with his first name Mahesh.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-

! Year !! Title
!Actor
!Director
!Producer!! Role
!Notes
!Language
!{{Reference column heading|multi=yes}}
|-
| 1964 || ''Chota Jawan''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}} ||Jawan
|
|Marathi
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-17 |title=Mahesh Kothare Incidence : 'पोस्टरवर माझा फोटो कोपऱ्यात, ही खूप मोठी चूक होती' महेश कोठारेंनी सांगितला तो किस्सा |url=https://marathi.itsmajja.com/actor-director-mahesh-kothare-shares-chota-jawan-movie-incidence-marathi-info/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Ittsmajja |language=mr}}</ref>
|-
|1967
|''[[Upkar]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Younger Bharat
|
|Hindi
|
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Raja Aur Runk]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}} ||Yuvraj Narendradev / Raja
|
| rowspan="3" |Hindi
|
|-
| 1970|| ''[[Safar (1970 film)|Safar]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}} ||Feroz Khan's Younger Brother Montu
|
|
|-
| 1971|| ''[[Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1970 film)|Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}} ||Ravi
|
|
|-
|1975
|''Prit Tuzi Mazi''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Ravi
|
| rowspan="19" |Marathi
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1982
|''Sant Gyaneshwar''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|[[Dnyaneshwar]]
|
|
|-
|''Thorli Jaau''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Avinash
|
|
|-
|''Chandane Shimpit Ja''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1983
|''Devta''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Sunil
|
|
|-
|''Paaygoon''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Dhanaji Jadhav/Nagesh Patil
|
|
|-
| ''[[Gupchup Gupchup]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}} || Ashok
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1984
|''Sage Soyare''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Hemant
|
|
|-
|''Gharcha Bhedi''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|Ramesh
|
|
|-
| ''[[Lek Chalali Sasarla]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}} || Vilas Inamdar
|
|
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Dhum Dhadaka]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| Mahesh Javalkar
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-08-29 |title=Ashok Saraf's films that you must watch |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/photofeatures/ashok-sarafs-films-that-you-must-watch/photostory/63500642.cms |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| 1987 || ''[[De Danadan]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| Sub-Inspector Mahesh Danke
|
|
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Thartharat]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| CID Inspector Mahesh Jadhav
|
|
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Dhadakebaaz]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| Mahesh Nemade
|
|
|-
| 1992 || ''Jiwlaga''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}||
|Guest appearance
|
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Zapatlela]] ''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| [[Zapatlela (film series)#Mahesh Jadhav|CID Inspector Mahesh Jadhav]]
|
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Majha Chakula]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| Inspector Mahesh Jadhav
|
|
|-
| 1996 || [[Masoom (1996 film)|''Masoom'']]
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}} ||
|Guest appearance
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-02-16 |title=I regret not listening to Aamir Khan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/marathi/mahesh-kothare-aamir-khan/articleshow/46197247.cms |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| 1998|| ''Dhangad Dhinga''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}} || Advocate Mahesh Mithare
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dhangad Dhinga - Movie |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/dhangad-dhinga/q6upJHbLg3ipEAQjf8UUN4/main/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Moviefone |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1999
|''Lo Main Aagaya''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|
|
|Hindi
|
|-
| 2000 || ''[[Khatarnak (2000 film)|Khatarnak]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}} ||CID Inspector Mahesh Choudhary
|
| rowspan="11" |Marathi
|
|-
|2001
|[[Chimani Pakhar]]
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|
|
|
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Pachhadlela]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| Inspector Mahesh Jadhav
|Cameo
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2020-09-28 |title=Happy Birthday Mahesh Kothare: 'Zapatlela' to 'Pachhadlela'; FIVE must-watch comedy movies of actor-director |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/happy-birthday-mahesh-kothare-zapatlela-to-pachhadlela-five-must-watch-comedy-movies-of-actor-director/photostory/78358446.cms |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Khabardar (film)|Khabardar]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| Mahesh Kothare (Himself)
|
|
|-
| 2006 || ''Shubh Mangal Savdhan''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}} ||
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shubh Mangal Savdhan (2006) {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shubh_mangal_savdhan_2006 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Zabardast (2007 film)|Zabardast]] ''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}} ||Professor Bramhanand Bharadwaj
|Cameo
|
|-
| 2008|| ''[[Full 3 Dhamaal]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}|| Mahesh Kothare (Himself)
|Guest appearance
|
|-
| 2010|| ''Ved Laavi Jeeva''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}} ||
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-05-20 |title='Ved Laavi Jeeva' fame Vaidehi Parashurami reminisces about her journey as she completes 10 years in Marathi cinema |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/ved-laavi-jeeva-fame-vaidehi-parashurami-reminisces-about-her-journey-as-she-completes-10-years-in-marathi-cinema/articleshow/69410417.cms |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| 2010|| ''[[Ideachi Kalpana]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}} || Commissioner Mahesh Thakur
|
|
|-
| 2011|| ''Dubhang''
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}} ||
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2013 || ''[[Zapatlela 2]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}
|{{Yes}}|| [[Zapatlela (film series)#Mahesh Jadhav|Mahesh Jadhav]]
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |title=M-Town is ready to scare with 'Zapatlela 2' |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-01/news-interviews/34178135_1_m-town-marathi-film-3d |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206230400/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-01/news-interviews/34178135_1_m-town-marathi-film-3d |archive-date=6 December 2013 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The Times Of India |language=en |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|''[[Welcome to the Jungle (2013 film)|Welcome to the Jungle]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|IB Chief
|
|English
|
|-
|2024
|''[[Paani (film)|Paani]]''
|{{No}}
|{{No}}
|{{Yes}}
|
|
|Marathi
|
|-
|}

==Awards and recognition==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award
!Category
!Work
|-
| rowspan="2" |1986
| rowspan="2" |[[Filmfare Awards Marathi]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Marathi|Best Film]]
| rowspan="2" |''[[Dhum Dhadaka]]''
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Marathi|Best Director]]
|-
| rowspan="4" |1994
| rowspan="2" |[[Maharashtra State Film Awards]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Marathi|Best Film]]
| rowspan="4" |''[[Majha Chakula]]''
|-
|[[Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Screen Awards]]
|Best Film - Marathi
|-
|Best Director - Marathi
|-
|2000
|Best Director - Marathi
|''[[Khatarnak (2000 film)|Khatarnak]]''
|-
| rowspan="3" |2005
| rowspan="4" |[[Maharashtra State Film Awards]]
|[[Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
| rowspan="3" |''[[Khabardar (film)|Khabardar]]''
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Marathi|Best Director]]
|-
|[[Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
|-
|2009
|[[V. Shantaram Special Contribution Award]]
|rowspan="3"|Overall Contribution
|-
|2018
|[[3rd Filmfare Awards Marathi]]
|Limelight Award
|-
|2021
|[[5th Filmfare Awards Marathi]]
|Excellence in Marathi cinema
|}

== See also ==
* [[Ashok Saraf]]
* [[Laxmikant Berde]]
* [[Sachin Pilgaonkar]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Cited works===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |last=Srinivas |first=Manjula |title=Undergraduate Research in Mass Media UgRIMM 2021 |year=2022 |publisher=Shineeks Publishers |isbn=9781632789341 |publication-date=21 April 2022 |language=en}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|id=0467680}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kothare, Mahesh}}
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Marathi cinema]]
[[Category:Marathi film directors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Film directors from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Film producers from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Marathi film producers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:People from Mumbai]]

Mahesh Kothare - Revision history

2409:40C2:8402:6E35:8000:0:0:0 at 07:51, 26 October 2025