Mahesh Manjrekar is a noted film director and actor of Indian film industry. He is best known for directing critically acclaimed films like Astitva, Vaastav and Viruddh. He has also worked in the Indian film industry as a producer and writer. As an actor his acting received applauses in the Bollywood flick Kaante. He has also been associated with theatres since a long time. As an actor he has mostly portrayed grey characters in the films winning much appreciation. Apart from film industry Mahesh Manjrekar is also associated with Indian politics and is a MNS Candidate from Mumbai North West in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections.

Early Life of Mahesh Manjrekar
Mahesh Manjrekar was born on August 16, 1958 in Mumbai. Being a powerhouse of talent, he started his career as a producer and actor in Marathi theatre. Aflatoon was his first Marathi play, in the year 1984, which rendered him overnight recognition. In the following years his talent surfaced even more through plays like All the Best, Gidhade, Dhyanimani, Asecha Amhi Sare, Akashmaat, Doctor Tumhisuddha and others.

Career of Mahesh Manjrekar
Mahesh Manjrekar made his directional debut with the award winning Marathi film Aai. He marked his presence in the Hindi film industry with his debut venture Vaastav: The Reality, in 1999, starring Sanjay Dutt and Namrata Shirodkar. Based on Mumbai underworld the film earned him enormous critical as well as commercial acclamations along with several prestigious awards. The following year extended his success with the film Astitva, made both in Hindi and Marathi, featuring Tabu, Ravindra Mankani and Sachin Khedekar in lead roles. Once again Manjrekar garnered praises for the film along with many accolades. Subsequently he directed many other films which although could not achieve commercial success, won critical appreciations. These films include Hathyar, Pyaar Kiya Nahi Jaata, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, Kurukshetra and many others.

This talented director turned actor in the year 2003 with Sanjay Gupta`s film Kaante, in which he essayed the role of a drug peddler. His acting talent further gained recognition with Bollywood films like Slumdog Millionaire, Oh My God, Bodyguard, Ready, Dabangg, Teen Patti, Wanted, Dus Kahaniyaan and Musafir and Telugu films like Don Seenu and Okkadunnadu. He portrayed his versatility as a director through films like Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi, Viruddh... Family Comes First, Rakht and many more. He also directed the Bengali film Ami Shubhash Bolchi starring Mithun Chakraborty. Marathi films under his direction include Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy, Kaksparsh and Fakta ladh Mhana which received overwhelming response from the viewers. Mahesh Manjrekar has also made a few television appearances in popular shows like crime series C.I.D and celebrity dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. He has also voiced as few songs in Hindi and Marathi films.

Achievements of Mahesh Manjrekar
In the year 2000 Mahesh Manjrekar won National Award for Best Regional Film (Marathi) and Screen Weekly Award for Best Story (Marathi) for the movie Astitva. In 2003 he received IIFA Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for Kaante.

Personal Life of Mahesh Manjrekar
Mahesh Manjrekar is married to Medha Manjrekar and the couple has two children namely Ashwami and Satya Manjrekar.

Filmography of Mahesh Manjrekar as a Director