Laxmikant Berde is an Indian actor who was seen both in Hindi and Marathi movies. He is renowned for his comic roles and highly energetic performances. He is also known as the Comedy Superstar or Comedy King of the Marathi Cinema and one of the first superstars of Marathi Cinema along with Ashok Saraf.
Early Life of Laxmikant Berde
Lakshmikant Berde was born on 3 November 1954. He had a keen interest in acting since a young age. He used to participate in stage theatres during the celebrations of Ganesh festival at Konkanasth Vaishya Samaj, Girgaum. He also used to take part enthusiastically in other cultural activities of the festival which instilled his interest in the field of acting. He won several awards in inter-school and inter-college drama competitions. Later, Lakshmikant Berde began his work with the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh which initiated his acting career. He got his first major role in the Marathi stage play of Purushottam Berde, named "Tour Tour". The play acquired huge success and along with it Lakshmikant Berde`s style of comedy also received great appreciations.
Career of Laxmikant Berde
At the beginning of his career, Lakshmikant acted in Marathi plays performing minor roles. He entered the world of Indian movies through his debut movie "Lek Chalali Sasarla", a Marathi feature film. In the period when he was balancing his performances between both Marathi movies and stage plays, he had his first encounter with success in the year 1983-84 owing to a Marathi play "Tour-Tour". Later he appeared in a Marathi program known as Gajara, produced by Doordarshan. Through his program he further established his identity in the comic genre. In the year 1985, he acted in the Marathi movie "De Dana Dan" as a second lead to Mahesh Kothare whereas in the movie "Dhoom Dadaka" performed along with Ashok Saraf. These two movies proved to be the milestones in his career as in addition to being super hit movies, these also gave his comedy style, recognition. In the years between 1986 and 1996, Lakshmikant became highly famous. He attained stardom through a series of blockbuster movies which included "Zapatlela", "Thartharat", "Bhootacha Bhau", "Eka Peksha Ek", "Balache Baap Brahmachari", "Ashi Hi Banwa Banvi", "Hamaal De Dhamaal" and "Aamhi Doghe Raja Rani".
In most of his movies, Lakshmikant acted along with either director-actor Sachin, director-actor Mahesh Kothare and Ashok Saraf. Owing to a number of super hit movies, the pair of Laxmikant Berde-Ashok Saraf became highly popular. Marathi film industry recognize this decade as "Ashok-Laxya" era. Throughout the career both remained close friends. Laxmikant was mostly paired with actress Priya Arun.
Laxmikant Berde entered the Hindi film industry with Sooraj Barjatya`s "Maine Pyar Kiya" with Salman Khan in the year 1989. His other famous Hindi movie included "Anari", "100 Days", "Beta", "Saajan", "Aarzoo", "Mere Sapno Ki Rani" and "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun..!" He was also involved with super hit Marathi stage plays including "Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe" and many more as lead actor. He established his own production house in the last phase of his life and named it after his son as Abhinay Arts. Laxmikant Berde was also a skilled guitar player and ventriloquist.
Marathi Films of Laxmikant Berde
Laxmikant Berde enacted in big Marathi movies some of which are:
•Pachadlella (2004)
•Hasva Fasvi (1995)
•Lek Chalali Sasarla (1985)
•Aamhi Doghe Raja Rani (1986)
•Gadbad Ghotala (1986)
•Bhatak Bhavani (1987)
•Kaltay Pan valat Nahi (1987)
•Maamla Porincha (1988)
•Aanti Ne Wazavali Ghanti (1989)
•Patali Re Patali (1990)
•Dhadakebaaz (1990)
•Doctor Doctor (1991)
•Sarech Sajjan (1993)
•Janta Janardan (1998)
•Dekhni Bayko Namyachi (2001)
•Maratha Battalion (2002)
•Aadharstambh (2003)
•Pachadlela (2004)
Hindi Films of Laxmikant Berde
Some of the Hindi Films of Laxmikant Berde are:
•Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)
•Saajan (1991)
•Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992)
•Sangram (1993)
•Phool Aur Angaar (1993)
•Santaan (1993)
•Kranti Kshetra (1994)
•Hum Apke Hai Kaun (1994)
•Taqdeerwala (1995)
•Chaahat (1996)
•Mere Sapno Ki Rani (1997)
•Dil Kya Kare (1999)
•Beti No. 1 (2000)
•Uljhan (2001)
•Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai (2002)
•Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002)
•Insan (2004)
•Tauba Tauba (2004)
•Hatya: The Murder (2004)
Death of Laxmikant Berde
Laxmikant Berde died in Mumbai owing to a kidney ailment on 16th December, 2004. During his last years, he founded a production house known as “Abhinay Arts†which was named after his beloved son Abhinav Berde.