Nilu Phule

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Nilu Bhau Phule
67KB
Phule in early films
Born
Nilkanth Krushnaji Phule

16 May 1930 (1930-05-16)
Pune, India
Died13 July 2009 (2009-07-14) (aged 79)
Pune, India
Other namesNilu bhau
OccupationStage and film actor
Years active1968–2009
Spouse(s)Rajani Phule (m. ?— 2009)
Children3

Nilu Phule (16 May 1930 - 13 July 2009) was an Indian actor known for his roles in the Marathi language movies and Marathi theatre. Nilu Phule acted in around 250 Marathi and Hindi movies during his film career.[1] He was most prominently seen playing the roles of notorious villains in the movies.

Phule was also a social worker, and was associated with Rashtra Seva Dal.[2]

Early life[edit]

Nilu Phule was born in 1930 in Pune as Nilkanth Krushnaji Phule. He is considered one of the greatest actors of Marathi stage/films of all time.[3] He was involved in Freedom movement for India. According to his interview in a serial 'Vastraharan' on a Marathi Channel, he was a freedom fighter from Pune.

Phule's first job was that of a gardener at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, aged 17. He used to get a salary of Rs. 80 per month, out of which, he used to donate Rs. 10 to the Rashtriya Seva Dal, a social organization he was involved with.[3] He wanted to pursue his gardening career forward, but due to lack of financial support, he could not start his own plant nursery.[4] During this time, at the age of 20, Nilu was inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's writings and went on to write a drama, Udyan. His composing for the drama Yedya Gabalache Kam Nahi during the 1957 Lok Sabha elections garnered him fame.[4]

Acting career[edit]

Nilu Phule began his theatrical career with the Marathi folk performances (loknatya).[3] His first professional drama was Katha Akalecha Kandyachi, which went on to have over 2000 shows. It was based on this success that he was offered his first movie Ek Gaav Baara Bhanagadi, by Anant Mane in 1968.

Nilu often played villains; most notably his portrayal of Sakharam Binder. Some of his notable film roles include: Hindurao Dhonde Patil, a zamindar and a sugar tycoon in Samna (film), a power-drunk politician in Mahesh Bhatt's Saaransh and a political journalist in Jabbar Patel's Sinhasan.[3]

He also played the role of 'Nathu Mama' in the 1983 hit Hindi movie Coolie where he worked with Amitabh Bachchan.

One of Phule's most notable theatrical performances include his role as the eponymous hero of Vijay Tendulkar's Sakharam Binder (first staged in 1972). Kamlakar Sarang, who directed the first production of the play in 1972, was apprehensive of Phule's reticence. However, he was convinced that Phule would be fit for the role, when Vijay Tendulkar reminded him of Phule's aggressive performance as a minister in another play, Katha Aklechya Kandyachi. [3]

He was known for his legendary voice and dialogue delivery. His dialogues in his films remains one of the most popular dialogues across Marathi Film Industry. It is said that his acting in villainous roles in movies was so surreal that women in real life would despise him thinking that he was the same deviant person in real life too, and that was a great compliment to his works.

In May 2013, when Forbes India, the Indian edition of American Business Magazine Forbes, declared 25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema, the list was completed with this legend's name for his performance as Hindurao Dhonde Patil in the film Samna (film).[5]

Death[edit]

Nilu Phule died on 13 July 2009, aged 78, from esophageal cancer. His wife Rajani Phule died in 2011. They are survived by their daughter Gargi Phule Thatte.

Awards[edit]

  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991), by the President of India
  • Maharashtra State Award for Haat lavin tithe sone (1973)
  • Maharashtra State Award for Saamna (1974)
  • Maharashtra State Award for Choricha Mamla (1975) [4]
  • Jayantrao Tilak Memorial Life Time Achievement Award' given by Kesari Maratha Trust, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth and Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, Pune chapter.[6]

Plays Acted[edit]

  1. Katha Akalecha Kandyachi
  2. Sakharam Binder

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Film Language Notes
1968 Ek Gaon Bara Bhangadi Jhele Anna Marathi
1969 Mukkam Post Dhebewadi
1969 Gan Gaulan
1970 Dhartichi Lekaren
1970 Ganane Ghungroo Haravale Marathi
1971 Asheech Ek Ratra Nagya
1972 Pinjra Leader of dance troupe Marathi
1972 Harya Narya Zindabad Narya Marathi
1973 Thapadya Marathi
1975 Samna Hindurao Dhonde Patil Marathi
1975 Varaat Marathi
1975 Karava Tasa Bharava Babu Marathi
1975 Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty Hindi
1976 Farrari
1976 Choricha Mamla Chanderrao
1977 Soyrik Raut Marathi
1977 Banya Bapu Kaka
1977 Naav Motha Lakshan Khota Marathi
1977 Jait Re Jait Marathi
1977 Bhingri Daulatrao Patil
1977 Mansa Paris Mendhra Bari Marathi
1978 Sarvasakshi Balasaheb Marathi
1978 Padrachya Savlit Marathi
1978 Sasurvasheen Marathi
1979 Do Ladke Dono Kadke Champa's husband Hindi
1979 Bhayanak Thakur Sahab Hindi
1979 Do Ladke Dono Kadke Champa's husband Hindi
1979 Sunbai Oti Bharun Ja
1979 Sobati Lambatya (Laxman) Marathi
1979 Simhasan Digu Tipnis Marathhi
1979 Paijjecha Vida Sakya
1979 Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi Fernandes Hindi
1979 Haldikunku
1979 Deed Shahane Babnya
1979 Aaitya Bilavar Nagoba Bhujangrao Marathi
1980 Fataakadi Damu Saavkaar Marathi
1980 Sarvasakshi
1980 Bhalu Marathi
1980 Sau Din Saas Ke Khubchand (Lalla Ji) Hindi
1980 Kadaklakshmi Vaman Marathi
1980 Satichi Punyaai Marathi
1980 Sinhasan Digu Tipnis Marathi
1980 Savat Bandu Master Marathi
1981 Kasam Bhawani Ki Maniram Lala
1981 Naram Garam Guruji Hindi (Special appearance)
1981 Shama Barrister Hindi
1981 Satichi Punyayee Kishenseth Thorat
1981 Patalin Amrut Sheth Marathi
1981 Nagin
1981 Mosambi Narangi Mumbaji alias Suryajirao Marathi
1981 Aai Guruji
1982 Laxmichi Paule Sudama Pawar
1982 Chatak Chandni
1982 Ramnagari Marathi
1982 Raakhandar Rajabahu
1982 Galli Te Dilli Saheb Marathi
1982 Don Baika Phajeeti Aika Aburao
1982 Diste Tasa Naste Sarjerao Patil (Anna)
1982 Bhujang Marathi
1982 Bhannat Bhanu Kakasaheb
1982 Aplech Daat Aplech Oth Nana
1982 Bhamta Marathi
1983 Gumnaam Hai Koi
1983 Zara Si Zindagi Jaggu (Kusum's father) Hindi
1983 Woh Saat Din Maya's maternal grandfather Hindi
1983 Coolie Nathu Mama Hindi
1983 Sasu Varchad Javai Jyotish (Gangaram Teli) Golaram Teli
1983 Raghumaina
1983 Mardani Prataprao Ramdokhey Hindi
1983 Kashyala Udyachi Baat Nilkanth Sagle
1983 Baiko Asavi Ashi Balu (Balaram Mohite) Marathi
1984 Aao Jao Ghar Tumhara
1984 Mashaal Vithal Rao Hindi
1984 Saaransh Gajanan Chitre Hindi
1984 Shraddha
1984 Zakhmi Sher Lala (Anandi's father) Hindi
1984 Thakas Mahathak Sarpanch Nanasaheb Uchle
1984 Shradha Inamdar
1984 Bin Kamacha Navra Sahebrao
1984 Bahuroopi Dadasaheb Bhole
1985 Gaon Tasa Changla Pan Veshila Tangla Hindurao Marathi
1985 Haqeeqat Rickshaw driver Hindi
1985 Rao Saheb Hindi
1985 Dhagala Lagli Kala Marathi
1986 Kaanch Ki Deewar Lakhsmi Singh Hindi
1986 Maa Beti Raghunandan Hindi
1986 Rao Saheb
1986 Pudhcha Paool Babasaheb
1986 Insaaf Ki Awaaz Balwant Azaad Hindi
1986 Gadbad Ghotala Khalave
1986 Bijli Niluba - Sonar Marathi
1986 Mi Chairman Boltoy Marathi
1987 Hirasat Dhirubhai Hindi
1987 Sutradhar Bhaurao Marathi
1987 Sarja Rustam Marathi
1987 Purnasatya Patang Rao
1987 Porichi Dhamaal Baapachi Kamaal Digamber Avdhoot
1987 Mohre Social Worker Hindi
1987 Kalatay Pan Valat Nahi Raosaheb Deshmukh
1987 Jaago Hua Savera Hindi
1987 Bhatak Bhavani Landge Saheb Marathi
1988 Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani Thakur Hindi
1988 Maza Pati Karodpati Laxmikant Kuber Marathi
1988 Tamacha Jwala Pratap Singh Hindi
1988 Kabzaa Mandar Bhagawat Hindi
1988 Bandivan Mee Hya Sansari
1988 Sarvashreshta Bhau
1988 Saglikade Bombabomb Appasaheb Dharadhar Marathi
1988 Mamla Porincha Nilu Bhau
1988 Majjach Majja Kaka Saheb Marathi
1989 Prem Pratigyaa Mohan 'Dadhu' Rao Hindi
1989 Oonch Neech Beech Sadhu Hindi
1989 Hamaal De Dhamaal Nilkanth Phule
1989 Ek Ratra Manterleli Ramsharan Marathi
1989 Auntyne Wajavli Ghanti Dhanajirao Marathi
1989 Maalmasala Hindi
1990 Ghanchakkar Nagraj Baba
1990 Kalat Nakalat
1990 Kuldeepak Bahu Kasbe
1990 Patli Re Patli Mamasaheb
1990 Disha Dashrath 'Dadji' Mandre Hindi
1990 Dhamal Bablya Ganpyachi Narsinghrao
1991 Suryodaya
1991 Halad Rusli Kunku Hasla Dadasaheb
1991 Pratikaar Dadasaheb / Appaji Hindi
1992 Shubhamangal Savadhan
1992 Zunz Tujhi Majhi Bapujirao 'Nagoji' Nagvekar Marathi
1992 Than Than Gopal Gopal Rao
1992 Maalmasala Manmohan
1992 Ek Hota Vidushak Nana Marathi
1992 Dharpakad Dadasaheb Dharpakad Marathi
1995 Painjan Jairambapu Shingarwadikar
1995 Limited Manuski Jyotshi Archarya Marathi
1996 Pratidaav[7] Marathi
1996 Durga Aali Ghara Dadasaheb Deshmukh
1996 Ashi Asavi Sasu Mama
1996 Paij Lagnachi Aabasaheb
1998 Ghar Bazar Kishan Murari Hindi
2001 Zanzaavat Marathi
2004 Prem Sakshi
2004 Pandhar
2004 Saatchya Aat Gharat Marathi
2005 Chalta Hai Yaar Malhar Rao Patil Hindi
2007 Kadachit Marathi
2008 Gaav Tasa Chaangla Marathi
2009 Goshta Choti Dongraevadhi Marathi Guest Appearance his last film before he died
2010 Ladi Godi Rajesh's Dead Grandfather (final film role)

References[edit]

  1. "Marathi actor Nilu Phule passes away". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  2. "Nilu Phule was a gardener before an actor". Rediff.com. 14 July 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Dubey, Bharati; Pronoti Datta (14 July 2009). "Veteran actor Nilu Phule makes his final exit". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Contractor, Huned. "The man behind the villain". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  5. "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema | Forbes India". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  6. Award for Nilu Phule
  7. https://www.onlinewatchmovies.co/marathi/pratidaav-1997-marathi-movie-watch-online.html

External links[edit]

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