Girija Shankar
Girija Shankar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 (age 65–66) |
| Alma mater | Punjabi University |
| Occupations | Actor, Producer, Director |
| Known for | Mahabharat |
Girija Shankar is an Indian actor, producer and director. He is most famously known for playing the character Dhritarashtra in the 1988 TV series, Mahabharat.[1]
Early life
Girija spent his childhood in Patiala, Punjab. He wanted to join the Indian Air Force since his childhood[2] but later he didn't pass the test due to his age at that time. He now resides with his family in Los Angeles, United States.
Career
In the early 1980s, Girija worked in the plays at the Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai. Director B.R. Chopra, who used to watch plays in the theatre with his family, was impressed by one of Girija's performances and offered him a role in his 1984 film, Aaj Ki Awaaz.[1] He then collaborated with the director in the TV series like Bahadur Shah Zafar (1986) and Mahabharat (1988).
Girija played Dhritarashtra at the age of 28, in the 1988 TV series Mahabharat created by B.R. Chopra.[1][3] He was unaware about the character before the production. But he accepted the role after learning about his importance and was considered to be the most challenging character in the series.
He debuted as a director with the 2003 comedy film, Banana Brothers[4] starring Anupam Kher.
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Bahadur Shah Zafar | Mohammad Bakht Khan | Episode 11 | |
| 1986-1987 | Buniyaad | Ralliyaram | ||
| 1988-1990 | Mahabharat | Dhritarashtra | ||
| 1988 | Chunni | Hardayal Singh | Episode 1-10, 13-16 | [5] |
| 1993-2002 | Alif Laila | King Shahryar | ||
| 1999 | Suraag – The Clue | Keshav Katre "K. K." | Episode 25 | |
| 2013 | Uttaran | Agarth Yadav |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Aaj Ki Awaaz | Minister Sri Kanhaiya Laal Tomar | Hindi | cameo | [5] |
| Ab Ayega Mazaa | Chopra saab | ||||
| 1989 | Aag Se Khelenge | Inspector Ravi Saxena | |||
| Bhrashtachar | Charan Das | ||||
| 1990 | Jurm | Police Commissioner | |||
| Shiva | Inspector Tejesh Akhouri | ||||
| 1991 | Irada | Mr. Khanna | |||
| Haque | Swami Hariprasad | ||||
| 1992 | Honeymoon | Kuldeep Kaushal | |||
| 1993 | Pyaar Ka Tarana | Prem | |||
| 15th August[6] | Dholi | ||||
| 1994 | Mr. Azaad | Police Inspector | |||
| 1995 | Policewala Gunda | Don Kailashnath Narang | |||
| Aatank Hi Aatank | Raka | ||||
| 2002 | Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai | Arjun's brother | |||
| 1998 | Sarbans Dani Guru Gobind Singh | Wazir Khan | Punjabi | ||
| 2003 | Banana Brothers | Director | |||
| 2015 | Gaddar: The Traitor | ||||
| 2019 | DSP Dev | MLA Bakhtaawar Brar |
See also
References
- ^ abcKaushal, Ruchi (27 May 2020). "Girija Shankar on playing Dhritrashtra in Mahabharat at age of 28: 'I trained myself to look straight, was asked to try lenses'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
- ^"सिनेमा समाज का दर्पण : गिरिजा शंकर". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). 17 November 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^"एयरफोर्स में जाना चाहते थे 'धृतराष्ट्र', BR चोपड़ा के ऑफर ने बदली LIFE". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 19 April 2016.
- ^"Man on a mission". The Tribune. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ abKaushal, Ruchi (26 June 2023). "Mahabharat's Girija Shankar recalls when Gufi Paintal thanked him: 'You saved my life'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
- ^"15th August - Movie - - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
External links
