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Sharad Kelkar

Overview

Sharad Kelkar is an Indian actor and voice artist known for his work across Hindi and Marathi cinema as well as Indian television. He is widely recognised for his deep baritone voice, which has been used for narration, dubbing, and voice-overs in several major productions, including the Hindi version of S. S. Rajamouli's Baahubali film series, in which he provided the voice for the character Bhallaladeva.

Key facts

Name Sharad Kelkar
Profession Actor, voice artist
Languages of work Hindi, Marathi
Mediums Television, film, voice-over
Spouse Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar (actress)
Notable voice work Hindi dub of Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (Bhallaladeva)
Notable lead role Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020)

Background

Kelkar was born into a Marathi-speaking family and spent parts of his early life in Madhya Pradesh, including in the city of Gwalior. Before entering the entertainment industry, he worked briefly in the corporate sector and as a fitness trainer. He moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting, beginning on Indian television in the 2000s.

Television career

Kelkar gained early recognition through Hindi television serials. His prominent appearances include:

  • Akkad Bakkad Bambey Bo – an early television role.
  • Saat Phere – Saloni Ka Safar on Zee TV, in which he played Nahar Singh.
  • Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka on Zee TV.
  • Uttaran on Colors TV.
  • Bairi Piya and Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna.
  • Mythological and historical shows on Indian television, including Mahadev-themed productions.

Film career

Kelkar transitioned to films during the 2010s, working in both Hindi and Marathi cinema.

Marathi films

  • Lai Bhaari (2014), directed by Nishikant Kamat, in which he played a notable supporting role.
  • Rama Madhav (2014), a historical drama directed by Mrinal Kulkarni.
  • Hirkani (2019), based on the legend associated with the Maratha era.

Hindi films

  • Rocky Handsome (2016), starring John Abraham.
  • Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020), in which he portrayed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj alongside Ajay Devgn in the title role.
  • Laxmii (2020), starring Akshay Kumar.
  • The Family Man (web series, Amazon Prime Video), in which he appeared in a supporting role.

Voice and dubbing work

Kelkar is among the better-known voice artists in contemporary Hindi cinema. His most prominent voice contribution was dubbing for the antagonist Bhallaladeva, played by Rana Daggubati, in the Hindi versions of Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017). He has also lent his voice to narration, advertisements, and trailers for several Indian films and brands.

Personal life

Sharad Kelkar is married to actress Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar, whom he met during his early television career. The couple has a daughter.

Significance

Kelkar represents a category of Indian performers who have built parallel careers in television, film, and voice work. His success in moving from long-running Hindi soap operas to mainstream Hindi and Marathi films, combined with his recognition as a leading voice-over artist, illustrates the increasing crossover between these mediums in the Indian entertainment industry.

References

  • Film and television credits as listed on standard Indian film databases.
  • Production and distribution credits of Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (Hindi versions).
  • Public interviews and feature coverage in mainstream Indian entertainment media.