Laxmikant Berde (26 October 1954 – 16 December 2004) was an Indian Marathi language film actor who appeared in Marathi and Hindi movies. Known for his highly energetic slapstick performances, Berde started his career as an employee in the production company Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and then played supporting roles in a few Marathi stage plays. In 1983–84, he first became famous with the Marathi play Tur Tur.

Laxmikant Berde
Born(1954-10-26)26 October 1954
Died16 December 2004(2004-12-16) (aged 50)
Other namesLakshya
Years active1984–2004
Spouses
Roohi Berde
(m. 1985; died 1998)
(m. 1998⁠–⁠2004)
Childrenswanandi berde Abhinay Berde

Apart from Marathi movies, his comedy stage plays like Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe and Bighadale Swargache Dwaar were also successful. Berde acted in around 185 Bollywood and Marathi films and received four Nominations for Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role.

Early life

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Berde was born on 26 October 1954 in Bombay (Mumbai). He had five older siblings and would sell lottery tickets as a child to append to the family income. His participation in stage dramas during the cultural activities for Ganesh festival celebrations performed at Girgaon got him interested in acting.[1] He won awards for participation in inter-school and inter-college drama competitions. Following this, Berde started working at the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh.[2]

Career

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While working as an employee in the Marathi Sahitya Sangh, Berde started acting in small roles in Marathi stage plays. In 1983–84, he acquired his first major role in Purushottam Berde's Marathi stage play Tur Tur which became a hit and Berde's style of comedy was appreciated.[1]

Berde made his movie debut with the 1984 Marathi movie Lek Chalali Sasarla.[2] Subsequently, he and actor Mahesh Kothare starred together in the films Dhoom Dhadaka (1984) and De Danadan (1987). Both these movies became famous and helped Berde establish his trademark comedy style.[1][3]

In most movies, he starred either alongside Kothare or with actor Ashok Saraf. The Berde-Saraf pair is recognized to be a successful lead-actor pairing in Indian cinema.[4] Berde, along with Ashok Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Mahesh Kothare formed a successful quartet in Marathi films after acting together in the 1989 Marathi film Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi.[1] That decade will be best remembered by the Marathi film industry as the "Ashok-Lakshya" era. Both actors remained best friends until Berde died. In most movies, Berde was paired with actress and his future wife Priya Arun.

Berde's first Hindi film was Sooraj Barjatya's Maine Pyar Kiya starring Salman Khan in 1989. Some of his other popular Hindi films include Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Aarzoo, Saajan, Beta, 100 Days and Anari. Berde also kept working as the lead actor in hit Marathi stage plays like Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe and others.

In 1992, Berde tried to break away from his comedy mould and acted in a serious role in the film Ek Hota Vidushak.[5][6] However, the film was not a commercial success and Berde reverted to his trademark comedy, albeit disappointed with the film's failure.

From 1985 to 2000, Berde acted in many other Marathi blockbusters such as Amhi Doghe Raja Rani, Hamaal De Dhamaal, Balache Baap Brahmachari, Eka Peksha Ek, Bhutacha Bhau, Thartharat, Dhadakebaaz and Zapatlela.[3]

Berde acted in the Marathi TV serials Nasti Aafat and "Gajra". Pachadlela (2004) was his last movie.[7]

Death

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Berde died in Mumbai on 16 December 2004 due to a kidney ailment.[8] Many notable personalities from the Marathi film industry like Mahesh Kothare, Ashok Saraf and Sachin Pilgaonkar attended his funeral.[9]

In the last years of his life, Berde ran his own production house Abhinay Arts, named after his son Abhinay Berde. Berde was a proficient ventriloquist and guitarist.[10]

Filmography

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Marathi films

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Year

Title

Role

2004 Pachadlela Vetale Guruji
2003 Aadharstambh Lakshya Lachke
Chimani Pakhar Shriyut Pendse
2002 Maratha Battalion Raghu
2001 Dekhni Bayko Namyachi Namdeo (Namya)
2000 Khatarnak Laxmikant Lokhande
2000 Navra Mumbaicha Lakshya
1998 Dhangad Dhinga Laxmikant Kothare
1997 Kamal Majhya Baykochi Laxmikant Niphadkar
1999 Aai Thor Tujhe Upkar Inspector Laxmikant
1999 Manus Sakharam Dhondi Yadav
1998 Aapla Lakshya Lakshya
1998 Janta Janardan
1995 Jamla Ho Jamla Devdutt Ghorpade
1995 Dhamal Jodi Ram
1995 Suna Yeti Ghara
1995 Topi Var Topi Shankar Patil
1994 Bajrangachi Kamal Bajrang Bagde
1994 Chikat Navra Dhananjay Nipadkar
1994 Majha Chakula Lakshya
1994 Soniyachi Mumbai Sonya
1994 Premachya Sultya Bomba
1993 Tu Sukhakarta Manohar (Manya)
1993 Zapatlela Laxmikant "Lakshya" Bolke
1993 Sarech Sajjan Hirakanth
1992 Ek Hota Vidushak Aburao/Songadya
1992 Jeewlaga Laxmikant
1992 Hach Sunbai Cha Bhau Vishwas Rane (Bhau)
1992 DeDhadak BeDhadak Gajanan Korde (Gaja)
1992 Than Than Gopala Bandya
1992 Shubh Mangal Savdhan Driver
1992 Sagle Sarkech Ajay Pawar
1991 Jeeva Sakha Baadshah
1991 Aayatya Gharat Gharoba Kashiram Kasture
1991 Aflatoon Babanrao Barshikar/ Baadshah
1991 Mumbai Te Mauritius Lakshya
1991 Yeda Ki Khula Ajay Deshmukh/ Balasaheb Jagirdar
1991 Maskari Raja
1991 Ek Gaadi Baaki Anadi Raja Pradhan
1991 Godi Gulabi Dilip
1991 Doctor Doctor Gopya/ CID Inspector Vijay Desai
1991 Shame To Shame Ram /Laxman/Bhalu/Shantanu
1991 Ek Full Char Half Keshav/Krishna/

Kanha/Kanhaiya

1991 Apradhi
1990 Shejari Shejari Rajesh
1990 Dhadakebaaz Laxmikant Hajare alias Lakshya / Gangaram (dual role)
1990 Dhamal Bablya Ganpyachi Bablunath (Bablya)
1990 Lapwa Chhapwi Mohan
1990 Shubha Bol Narya Narayan Maharaj
1990 Dokyala Tap Nahi Ajay
1990 Thamb Thamb Jau Nako Lamb Shiva
1990 Ejaa Beeja Teeja Teeja
1990 Ghabrayacha Nahi Laxmikant
1990 Changu Mangu Mangu Dongre
1990 Eka Peksha Ek Kalyan Nashikkar
1989 Pheka Pheki Sanjay Phadke / Anthony Gonsalves
1990 Patali Re Patali Mukund
1990 Kuldeepak Rajaram Pant
1989 Balache Baap Brahmachari Sarang Acharya
1989 Bhutacha Bhau Barko
1989 Thartharat Laxmikant Ghorpade alias Lakshya
1989 Hamaal De Dhamaal Raja Phule
1989 Dharla Tar Chavatay Mohan Gosavi
1989 Rajani Vajvala Baja Khulya
1989 Chambu Gabale Chambu Gabale
1989 Khatyal Sasu Nathal Soon Bajirao Didhmishe (Bajya)
1989 Kuthe Kuthe Shodhu Me Tila Namya
1989 Utawala Nawara Gangatam
1989 Rikshawali Photographer
1989 Gharkul Punha Hasave
1989 Auntie Ne Wazavali Ghanti Sakharam More (Sakhya)
1988 Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi Parshuram alias

Parshya (Parvati)

1988 Kiss Bai Kiss Kishan (Kishya)
1988 Rangat Sangat Indrajit
1988 Majjach Majja Bajirao
1988 Gholat Ghol Sachin Damodar
1988 Sarvashreshtha Vijay Deshmukh
1988 Ek Gadi Baaki Anadi Raja Pradhan
1988 Maamla Porincha Mangesh Kamat
1987 Gauraacha Navara Somu Deshmukh
1987 Chal Re Lakshya Mumbaila Lakshya/Bhojraj
1987 De Danadan Constable Lakshman Tangmode alias Lakshya
1987 Prem Karuya Khullam Khulla Shekhar
1987 Porinchi Dhamal Bapachi Kamal Vasu
1987 Khara Kadhi Bolu Naye Vijay
1987 Premasathi Vattel Te Gopi
1987 Kaltay Pan Valat Nahi Namdev
1987 Irsaal Karti Bholanath
1987 Bhatak Bhavani Kondiba
1986 Dhakti Sun Kapil
1986 Gadbad Ghotala Pralhad
1986 Amhi Doghe Raja Rani Raja Joshi
1986 Tuzya Vachun Karmena Dattoba Sankhame
1985 Dhum Dhadaka Laxmikant Wakade alias Lakshya
1984 Lek Chalali Sasarla Deepak Waghmare
2001 Saubhagyakankshini Kisan
1998 Bayko Chukali Standvar Ranga
2002 Dagina Vakil Jayant Dhasle
1999 Rang Premacha Chandu Chinchalkar
2000 Satvapariksha
1995 Hasva Fasvi
1998 Jeegar
Choomantar
2004 Tuzyacha Sathi Laxmikant

Marathi plays

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Year Title of the play Role Notes
Thamb Taklya Bhang Padto
1983 Tour Tour
Abab Vitoba bolu lagala
Gharat Hasare tare
Pandit ata tari shahane vha
1989 Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe
Bighadale Swargache Daar
Ashvamedh
Sir aale dhaun
Karti Premat Padli
Lele Viruddha lele
Nanda Saukhya Bhare
Uchalbangadi

Hindi films

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Year

Movie

Role
2004 Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin Inspector Prakash
2004 Ghar Grihasti Lachke
2004 Patli Kamar Lambe Baal Hariya
2004 Insan Laxman Munde
2003 Khanjar: The Knife Pritam
2003 Baap Ka Baap Laxmikant
2003 Tu Bal Bramhachari Main Hoon Kanya Kunwari Phaltu
2002 Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam Hasmukh
2002 Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai Wills
2002 Bharat Bhagya Vidhata Bus Driver
2001 Hello Girls
2001 Uljhan Jamal
2001 Chhupa Rustam: A Musical Thriller Manik
2001 Biwi Aur Padosan Pandu
2001 Kaam Granth
2000 Beti No.1 Laxman Bhatnagar
2000 Papa The Great Mungherilal
2000 Shikaar Court Martial
2000 Sabse Bada Beiman
2000 Rahasya - The Suspense
1999 Rajaji Babaji
1999 Jaanam Samjha Karo Shastri
1999 Aarzoo Laxmi
1999 Lo Main Aa Gaya Lakshya
1999 Aaag Hi Aag Baba Bakwas Kalandar
1999 Dil Kya Kare Ram Dulare Sinha
1999 Kahani Kismat Ki
1998 Sar Utha Ke Jiyo Lakhan Tripathi
1998 Deewana Hoon Pagal Nahi
1998 Hafta Vasuli Chayavati
1997 Mere Sapno Ki Rani Arun
1997 Zameer: The Awakening of a Soul Beparwah
1997 Zor Pandu
1997 Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law
1997 Hameshaa Laxmi
1997 Qahar
1997 Nazar
1997 Ganga Mange Khoon
1996 Ajay Rupaiya
1996 Chaahat Bhaaji Rao
1996 Masoom Jeetu
1995 Saajan Ki Baahon Mein Anand
1995 Khilona Bana Khalnayak Laxmikant Bolke
1995 Criminal Mangu
1995 Taqdeerwala Pandu
1995 Hathkadi Pyarelal
1994 Brahma Timepass
1994[11][12] Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! Lallu Prasad
1994 Dilbar Tadipaar
1994 The Gentleman Vijay's friend
1994 Kranti Kshetra
1994 Janta Ki Adalat Tukia
1993 Santaan Vachani
1993 Sainik Guddu
1993 Gumrah Pakya
1993 Phool Aur Angaar Ramlakhan Tripathi
1993 Krishan Avtaar Lallan
1993 Anari Raghu
1993 Dil Ki Baazi Prem Murali
1993 Aadmi Khilona Hai Champaklal
1993 Hasti Passenger
1993 Sangram Teji
1993 Tahqiqaat Hawaldar Sakharam Dandekar
1992 Geet Pandey
1992 Anaam Rajan
1992 Deedar Mahesh
1992 Dil Ka Kya Kasoor Murali
1992 Beta Pandu Dhondu Bhikajirao
1992 I Love You
1992 Parda Hai Parda Appu Khote
1992 Kasak Shayar
1991 Saajan Laxminandan
1991 Dancer Dattu
1991 Pratikar Bal Shastri
1991 100 Days Balam
1991 Trinetra Ajit/Amar/

Akbar/Anthony

1989[13] Maine Pyar Kiya Manohar Singh

Dubbing artist

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Title

Year

Actor

Notes

1996 Hindustani Goundamani

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sharma, Unnati (16 December 2019). "Laxmikant Berde, Marathi superstar who was much beyond the characters he's remembered for". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Priya & Laxmikant Berde: Switching roles". Screen India. 27 October 2000. Archived from the original on 17 June 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Laxmikant Berde: Superhit comedy films of the actor you should not miss". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. ^ Indian Cinema - 1997. Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 1997. p. 15. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  5. ^ "Marathi films based on tamasha". Daily News and Analysis. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  6. ^ Chatterji, Shoma (16 December 2011). "Marathi classics ~ 2". The Statesman. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  7. ^ Kothare, Mahesh, Pachadlela (Comedy, Horror), Jenima Films International, retrieved 3 September 2022
  8. ^ "Marathi actor Laxmikant Berde passes away". Rediff.com. 16 December 2004. Archived from the original on 17 November 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Actor Laxmikant Berde passes away". Outlook. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Laxmikant Berde was a ventriloquist? Read more amazing facts about the late actor". jumprunproductions.com. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  11. ^ Ganti, Tejaswini (2004). Bollywood: A Guidebook To Popular Hindi Cinema. Taylor & Francis Group. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-415-28853-8. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  12. ^ Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen (26 June 1999). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. ISBN 9780851706696. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  13. ^ Narwekar, Sanjit (2005). Eena Meena Deeka: The story of Hindi film comedy. Rupa & Co. p. 271. ISBN 9788129108593. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
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