Sharat Saxena
Sharat Saxena (born 17 August 1950) is an Indian actor renowned for his prolific career in Hindi cinema, where he has portrayed memorable supporting and villainous roles in over 160 Bollywood films across five decades.[1] Born in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, he initially pursued engineering before transitioning to acting, debuting in the 1974 film Benaam.[1] His rugged physique and intense screen presence made him a staple in action and drama genres, contributing to the success of numerous blockbusters.[2] Saxena's career gained momentum with roles in commercially successful films such as Kaala Patthar (1979), Mr. India (1987), Tridev (1989), Ghayal (1990), Khiladi (1992), Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997), Soldier (1998), Baghban (2003), Fanaa (2006), and Krrish (2006), often playing antagonists or authoritative figures that added depth to the narratives.[1] Beyond Hindi cinema, he has appeared in Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil films, showcasing his versatility in regional Indian cinema.[3] Saxena is married to Shobha Saxena and has two children: a son named Vishal and a daughter, Veera Saxena, who is also an actress.[4] Residing in Madh Island near Mumbai, he maintains a low-profile family life while continuing to take on selective roles in contemporary projects, including Race 3 (2018), Naam (2024), and Son of Sardaar 2 (2025).[5] Born in 1950, Saxena remains a respected figure in the industry for his enduring contributions to Indian film, embodying the archetype of the quintessential character actor.[6]Early years
Family background
Sharat Saxena was born on 17 August 1950 in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, India.[2][3] He was raised primarily in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where he spent much of his formative years.[7][8] The family's relocations within Madhya Pradesh, including time in Bhopal for early schooling, shaped his early exposure to diverse local influences.[9] From a young age, Saxena developed a strong interest in acting and performing arts, participating in school activities that fueled his passion. He openly expressed his desire to pursue acting as a career during his school years, but his father strongly opposed these ambitions, prioritizing a stable profession instead.[2] To appease his family's expectations, Saxena later enrolled in engineering studies.[2]Education and initial career steps
Saxena completed his schooling at Saint Joseph Convent in Bhopal and Christ Church Boys' Senior Secondary School in Jabalpur before pursuing higher education in engineering. He obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in electronics and telecommunications from Government Engineering College in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.[10][9][8] Hailing from a family with roots in Satna and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Saxena developed an early interest in acting despite his technical background. In 1972, driven by this passion, he relocated to Mumbai to pursue a professional career in the field.[9][8] Upon arrival in Mumbai, Saxena supported himself financially by working as a sales engineer in a company, allowing him to sustain his ambitions while seeking entry into the entertainment industry.[11] His early career steps were characterized by determination amid the challenges of establishing himself in a highly competitive environment.[12]Personal life
Marriage and family
Sharat Saxena is married to Shobha Saxena.[13] The couple has two children: a daughter named Veera Saxena, who has pursued a career in acting, debuting in the 2015 film Hunterrr, and a son named Vishal Saxena.[14][13] The family maintains a close-knit dynamic, residing together in Madh Island, Mumbai, as of 2025, which has provided a stable foundation amid Saxena's extensive career in the entertainment industry.[13][15]Lifestyle and interests
Sharat Saxena has made his long-time home in Madh Island, a serene coastal suburb on the outskirts of Mumbai, where he enjoys a relatively private life away from the city's hustle.[13] He shares this residence with his family. A dedicated fitness enthusiast, Saxena prioritizes maintaining his robust physique through consistent gym routines, even into his later years. His regimen emphasizes strength training, incorporating exercises like bicep curls, hammer curls, and shoulder presses to build and sustain muscle mass.[16] At 75, he continues these workouts daily as of 2025, crediting them for his high energy levels and overall well-being, often performing heavy lifts that inspire admiration among peers and fans alike.[16][17]Career
Film debut and early roles
Sharat Saxena made his debut in the 1974 Hindi film Benaam, directed by Narendra Bedi, where he portrayed Amit's college friend in a minor supporting role.[18] This thriller, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Moushumi Chatterjee, marked his entry into Bollywood amid the industry's growing action and suspense genre in the 1970s. Shortly after, Saxena appeared in Dil Dewana (1974), playing the supporting character Saxena 'Saxi'.[19] In the late 1970s, Saxena continued with antagonistic and supporting parts that defined his initial phase. He played the abductor of Ajay Saxena, a henchman role, in the spy thriller Agent Vinod (1977), directed by Deepak Bahry and starring Sunil Dutt.[20] By 1979, he featured as Dhanna, a coal mine worker in a supporting capacity, in Yash Chopra's disaster drama Kaala Patthar, which highlighted the dangers of mining and starred Amitabh Bachchan alongside Shashi Kapoor.[21] These early appearances often confined him to brief, secondary scenes, reflecting the limited opportunities for newcomers without established connections. Saxena's imposing physique led to typecasting in villainous henchman roles during this period, a challenge he discussed in interviews as stemming from his physical build suiting antagonistic parts over leads.[22][23] His engineering background in electronics and telecommunications from Jabalpur Engineering College instilled the discipline required to navigate these early struggles in Mumbai's competitive film scene.[24] Through persistent work in such minor roles across the 1970s and 1980s, Saxena contributed to over 100 films, forging key industry relationships that sustained his career.[25]Breakthrough and prominent performances
Saxena's breakthrough came with his portrayal of the menacing villain Daaga in the 1987 blockbuster Mr. India, directed by Shekhar Kapur, where his physicality and intense delivery made the character one of the film's standout antagonists. The movie, a commercial and critical success blending action, sci-fi, and comedy, elevated Saxena's visibility in mainstream Bollywood after years of typecast henchman roles.[26] In the late 1990s, Saxena delivered a prominent performance as the ruthless boxer Ronnie in Ghulam (1998), opposite Aamir Khan, earning him a Filmfare nomination for Best Villain for his layered depiction of aggression and vulnerability.[27] This role marked a high point in his career, highlighting his ability to anchor key confrontations in a narrative exploring themes of friendship and redemption.[28] Transitioning to more nuanced supporting parts in the 2000s and 2010s, Saxena excelled in fatherly roles, such as Rakesh Randhawa, the authoritative yet caring father in the comedy Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 (2015), adding emotional depth to the ensemble dynamics. His collaborations extended to acclaimed directors and with leading actors like Aamir Khan across multiple projects.[29] Over his career spanning more than 150 films, these performances solidified Saxena's reputation as a versatile character actor adept at both antagonistic and paternal figures.[1]Television roles and later contributions
Saxena transitioned to television in the late 1980s, marking a significant phase in his career that built on his established presence in films. His debut TV role came as Kichaka in the epic series Mahabharat (1988–1990), where his portrayal of the tyrannical character earned him widespread recognition among Indian audiences for its intensity and depth.[30][31] This role, drawn from the mythological narrative, showcased his ability to embody antagonistic figures, a trait honed through his supporting film parts. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Saxena took on varied television roles that further diversified his portfolio. In the courtroom drama Kanoon (1993–1996), he appeared in 11 episodes as Avinash and Inspector Sooraj Singh, contributing to the series' exploration of legal intricacies and moral dilemmas.[32] He later played Shukracharya in the historical series Main Dilli Hoon (1998), depicting the sage's advisory role in ancient Indian lore.[33] Into the 2010s, Saxena made guest appearances, including a cameo as Kulguru Trikaldarshi Maharaj in the sitcom Sajan Re Phir Jhoot Mat Bolo (2017), where he added comedic mysticism to the narrative.[34] In parallel with his television work, Saxena continued contributing to films, particularly in negative and supporting capacities during the 2020s. His performance as the antagonistic Ranjan Rajhans (Pintu) in the OTT film Sherni (2021), released on Amazon Prime Video, highlighted themes of conservation and corruption, earning him a nomination at the 2022 Hitlist OTT Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Male).[35][36] This adaptation to digital platforms underscored his versatility amid evolving media landscapes. Saxena's recent film roles include supporting parts in Naam (2024), Zamaanat: And Justice for All (2025), Son of Sardaar 2 (2025), maintaining his steady output in Bollywood.[37][1][38]Filmography
1970s
Sharat Saxena debuted in feature films during the 1970s, primarily in supporting roles in action and drama genres.[1]| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Benaam | Henchman | Narendra Bedi | Debut film; supporting role.[1] |
| 1974 | Dil Diwana | Saxena 'Saxi' | Mohan Sehgal | Supporting role.[1] |
| 1977 | Agent Vinod | Henchman | Deepak Bahry | Supporting villain role.[37] |
| 1979 | Kaala Patthar | Supporting | Yash Chopra | Supporting role in drama.[37] |
| 1979 | Shikshaa | Supporting | S. M. Sagar | Supporting role.[37] |
1980s
During the 1980s, Saxena appeared in over 50 films, often portraying villainous henchmen or supporting characters in action thrillers and comedies, establishing his typecast as a reliable antagonist.[1]| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Dostana | Supporting | Raj Khosla | Supporting role.[37] |
| 1980 | Lootmaar | Henchman | Raj Tilak | Villain supporting.[37] |
| 1982 | Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da | Supporting | Surinder Kapoor | Punjabi film; supporting.[39] |
| 1985 | Yudh | Villain | Rajiv Mehra | Antagonist role.[1] |
| 1986 | Loha | Daku | Raj N. Sippy | Villain lead.[1] |
| 1987 | Mr. India | Daaga | Shekhar Kapur | Iconic villain role.[1] |
| 1987 | Hifazat | Shambhu Dada | K. Murali Mohana Rao | Supporting villain.[1] |
| 1988 | Khatron Ke Khiladi | Inspector Amarnath / Daku Jwala Singh | T. Rama Rao | Dual role; action.[1] |
| 1989 | Aag Ka Gola | Supporting | Babu Rao Patel | Supporting in action.[40] |
| 1989 | Tridev | Supporting | Rajiv Mehra | Supporting in multi-starrer.[1] |
1990s
The 1990s saw Saxena in more than 80 films, transitioning between villainous parts and occasional comic relief in supporting capacities, with notable appearances in hit action dramas.[1]| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Agneepath | Supporting | Mukul S. Anand | Supporting in critically acclaimed film.[37] |
| 1990 | Jurm | Supporting | N. Chandra | Supporting role.[37] |
| 1990 | Zahreelay | Supporting | Jyotin Goel | Action supporting.[37] |
| 1991 | Kilukkam | Supporting | Priyadarshan | Malayalam film; supporting.[39] |
| 1992 | Khiladi | Supporting | Abbas-Mustan | Supporting in thriller.[1] |
| 1995 | Gupt: The Hidden Truth | Villain | Rajiv Rai | Antagonist role.[1] |
| 1998 | Ghulam | Raunak Singh | Vikram Bhatt | Supporting villain.[1] |
| 1998 | Duplicate | Supporting | Mahesh Bhatt | Supporting.[1] |
| 1998 | Soldier | Baldev Sinha | Abbas-Mustan | Supporting.[1] |
| 1999 | Baadshah | Supporting | Abbas-Mustan | Comic supporting.[41] |
2000s
In the 2000s, Saxena featured in around 60 films, often in fatherly or authoritative supporting roles, with a mix of comedy and drama, reducing villainous portrayals.[41]| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani | Supporting | Aziz Mirza | Supporting in satire.[41] |
| 2000 | Josh | Supporting | Mansoor Khan | Supporting.[6] |
| 2002 | Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge | Supporting | Pankaj Udhas | Action supporting.[6] |
| 2003 | Baghban | Father figure | Ravi Chopra | Emotional supporting role.[1] |
| 2003 | 2 October | Supporting | Shashikant Shah | Supporting.[40] |
| 2006 | Krrish | Supporting | Rakesh Roshan | Supporting in superhero film.[1] |
| 2006 | Fanaa | Supporting | Kunal Kohli | Supporting.[1] |
| 2008 | Mr. White Mr. Black | Supporting | Tim Andrew | International supporting.[42] |
2010s
Saxena's 2010s work included over 40 films, focusing on cameo and supporting roles in commercial blockbusters, often as mentors or antagonists in action entertainers.[41]| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Kushti | Supporting | T. K. Rajeev Kumar | Comedy supporting.[43] |
| 2010 | Toh Baat Pakki! | Supporting | Kedar Shinde | Supporting.[41] |
| 2011 | Ready | Supporting | Anees Bazmee | Comic supporting.[41] |
| 2011 | Bodyguard | Supporting | Siddique | Supporting in hit comedy.[41] |
| 2014 | Hasee Toh Phasee | Supporting | Vinil Mathew | Supporting.[44] |
| 2015 | Bajrangi Bhaijaan | Supporting | Kabir Khan | Emotional supporting role.[1] |
| 2016 | Anna | Supporting | Shagufta Rafiq | Supporting.[45] |
| 2018 | Race 3 | Raghuvendra | Remo D'Souza | Antagonist supporting.[45] |
| 2018 | Thugs of Hindostan | Supporting | Vijay Krishna Acharya | Supporting in period action.[37] |
| 2019 | Setters | Salim bhai | Ashwini Chaudhary | Supporting.[45] |
| 2019 | Dabangg 3 | Supporting | Prabhu Deva | Supporting.[37] |
2020s
In the 2020s, Saxena has continued with selective appearances in over 10 films so far, including recent projects, mainly in supporting and villainous roles in action and drama. No unreleased or shelved early projects are noted in recent records.[37]| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sherni | Supporting | Amit V. Masurkar | Supporting in drama.[45] |
| 2023 | Hume Toh Loot Liya | Supporting | Unknown | Romantic comedy supporting.[37] |
| 2024 | Naam | Supporting | Umesh Shukla | Thriller supporting; released November 22, 2024.[45] |
| 2024 | Saali Mohabbat | Supporting | Unknown | Drama supporting.[1] |
| 2025 | Son Of Sardaar 2 | Supporting | Vijay Kumar Arora | Action comedy; released August 1, 2025.[37] |
| 2025 | Hera Pheri 3 | Supporting | Priyadarshan | Upcoming comedy; supporting.[46] |
| 2025 | Zamaanat: And Justice for All | Supporting | Unknown | Drama supporting.[1] |
Television series
Sharat Saxena has contributed to Indian television across mythological, crime anthology, and comedy genres, with appearances in both long-running serials and episodic roles from the 1980s onward.[1]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Channel/Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–1990 | Mahabharat | Kichaka | Doordarshan | Appeared in episodes related to the Virata Parva arc, approximately episodes 50–61.[47] |
| 1993–1996 | Kanoon | Avinash / Inspector Sooraj Singh | DD National | Featured in 11 episodes of the crime anthology series.[32] |
| 1995–1996 | Indrajaal | Main cast (role unspecified in credits) | DD Metro | Thriller series spanning 52 episodes.[48] |
| 2009 | 100% De Dhana Dhan | Manager | Star One | Reality-comedy show; appeared in the 2009 season.[49] |
| 2017 | Sajan Re Phir Jhooth Mat Bolo | Kulguru Trikaldarshi | Sony SAB | Cameo role as the family guru in the comedy series.[34] |
| 2018 | Mr. & Mrs. | Madhu's Dad | Channel V India | Guest appearance in 1 episode.[50] |
| 2019 | CIF (Crime Investigation Force) | DCP Police | &TV | Guest role in 1 episode of the investigative drama.[1] |
| 2022 | Main Dilli Hoon | Shukracharya | Doordarshan | Recurring role in the historical series.[33] |
| 2022 | Dadugiri | Grandfather | Amazon miniTV | Lead role in the family comedy-drama series.[51]</PROBLEMATIC_TEXT> |