Ashutosh Rana is an Indian actor, producer, author, and TV presenter, who works in films of various languages like Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil. He is known for playing negative characters in films. He has also won Filmfare Best Villain Award for the Hindi films ‘Dushman’ (1998) in which he played the role of Gokul Pandit and ‘Sangharsh’ (1999) in which he played the role of Lajja Shankar Pandey.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Ashutosh Rana aka Ashutosh Ramnarayan Neekhra was born on Friday, 10 November 1967 (age 55 years; as of 2022) in Gadarwara, Madhya Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Ashutosh Rana’s childhood picture
He did his schooling at a primary school in Gadarwara, Madhya Pradesh. Later, he attended Christ Church Boys’ Senior Secondary School, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, but his father did not like the culture of the school, so he asked Ashutosh to leave the school. He then completed his schooling in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In his childhood, he used to play the character of Ravana in the ramleela in his village. He pursued B. A. and LLB from Dr H. S. Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. While he was studying in college, he wanted to become a political leader.
Ashutosh Rana during his college days
From 1991 to 1994, he did M. A. in Dramatics from the National School of Drama, New Delhi.
National School of Drama batch 1994
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
He was born to a well-to-do Hindu family.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Ram Narayan Neekhra. He has four elder brothers named Prabhat Neekhra, Nand Kumar Neekhra (professor), Jayant Kumar Neekhra (lawyer at a high court), and Madan Mohan Neekhra (vice president of marketing at Shree Krishna Keshav Lab Ltd, vice president at SKKL Limited). His sister’s name is Kaamini Gupta.
Ashutosh Rana with his father
Ashutosh Rana’s mother
Ashutosh Rana’s brother Nand Kumar Neekhra
Ashutosh Rana’s brother Madan Mohan Neekhra
Ashutosh Rana’s brother Jayant Neekhra
Ashutosh Rana with his sister
Wife & Children
Ashutosh Rana once met the Indian actress Renuka Shahane for the first time on the sets of Hansal Mehta’s Hindi film ‘Jayate.’ Ashutosh was accompanied by his two friends Rajeshwari Sachdev (singer) and Tejaswini Kolhapure (actor). Rajeshwari was friends with Renuka, and she introduced Ashutosh and Renuka. At the first meeting, the two became good friends as they shared similar interests. Later, while having a conversation with Renuka, Ashutosh said,
Humne film me aapka kaam dkha hai. Hum aapke bade prashansak hain.”
After their first meeting, they did not meet each other for a few months. Ashutosh then attended a Diwali party at Indian director Ravi Rai’s home to which Renuka was also invited, however, she could not attend the party. Ashutosh then asked Ravi to share Renuka’s contact number with him. In an interview, while remembering those days, Ashutosh said,
He (Ravi) warned me that Renuka doesn’t pick up unknown numbers or check her phone after 10 pm. He was right. I left a (Dussehra) wish on her answering machine with my name but not my number, hoping she’ll find a way to contact me.”
During an interview, when Renuka was asked about the incident, she said,
In October, director Ravi Rai was planning a serial, and he had Ashutosh, a few others and me in mind. Ravi Rai had thrown a Divali party at his place where Ashutosh couldn’t make it because he had to give an interview. The next day he called me on my answering machine wishing me a happy Divali. This was on 17th October, he again called on 19th October and finally on 20th October 1998.”
After hearing his voice message, Renuka called him back, and they talked for an hour. They then started talking daily on phone, and on 31 December 1998, they met for the second time. Renuka was a bit sceptical about starting a relationship with Ashutosh as she had come out from a bad marriage phase. In an interview, when Ashutosh was asked about Renuka’s first marriage, he said,
Her past didn’t feature in any of our long discussions, there were no doubts on my part.”
Ashutosh and Renuka then decided to get married, but her mother was a bit worried as Ashutosh had a joint family, and Renuka’s mother was worried that how she would adjust with them. After a courtship period of two and a half years, the couple tied the knot on 25 May 2001 in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh. In an interview, while talking about the marriage, Renuka said,
We reached Damoh station on the 25th morning itself and the wedding ceremony was scheduled for 12 noon. To our surprise we found the entire station packed with a throng of people like there is in a political rally. We literally had to fight our way through to the jeep which had come to receive us. And then we stood in the jeep and waved to the crowds lining both sides of the road.”
Ashutosh Rana’s wedding picture
The couple has two sons named Satyendra Rana and Shouryaman Rana.
Ashutosh Rana with his sons
Other Relative
The Indian politician Rameshwar Neekhra is his cousin.
Career
Theatre
Ashutosh started his career as a theatre artist and performed in many theatre plays with the theatre group Satyadev Dubey in Prithvi Theatre.
Ashutosh Rana with the actors of a theatre play
TV Serial
Actor
In 1994, he made his TV debut with the Hindi TV series ‘Tehkikaat’ as Shyam. The TV series was aired on DD National.
Tehkikaat TV serial
He then acted in a few other Hindi TV serials like ‘Swabhimaan’ (1995), ‘Aahat’ (1995), ‘Saturday Suspense’ (1997), ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ (2003), and ‘Kaali- Ek Agnipariksha’ (2010).
Ashutosh Rana as Tyagi in Swabhimaan (1995)
Host
Ashutosh has also hosted a few Hindi TV shows such as ‘Baazi Kiski’ (2001), ‘Sarkaar Ki Duniya’ (2009), and ‘Savdhaan India’ (2019).
Ashutosh Rana in ‘Baazi Kiski’ (2001)
Web Series
Ashutosh Rana has acted in Hindi web series like ‘Chhatrasal’ (2021; MX Player), ‘Aranyak’ (2021; Netflix), and ‘The Great Indian Murder’ (2022; Disney+ Hotstar).
Chhatrasal (2021; MX Player)
Film
Hindi
Ashutosh made his Bollywood debut with ‘Sanshodhan’ (1996) in which he played the role of Daaman Verma.
Sanshodhan (1996)
In 1997, he acted in the Hindi film ‘Tamanna’ and ‘Krishna Arjun.’ In 1998, he gained immense popularity with his role as Gokul Pandit in the Hindi film ‘Dushman.’
Ashutosh Rana as Gokul Pandit in the Hindi film Dushman
In the same year, he appeared in the Hindi films like ‘Ghulam’ and ‘Zakhm.’ His role as Lajja Shankar Pandey in the Hindi film ‘Sangharsh’ (1999) became very popular.
Sangharsh (1999)
He then appeared in many popular Hindi films like ‘Raaz’ (2002), ‘LOC: Kargil’ (2003), ‘Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo’ (2004), ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’ (2014), and ‘Rashtra Kavach Om’ (2022).
Ashutosh Rana in LOC- Kargil (2003)
Telugu
In 2004, he made his Telugu debut with the film ‘Venky’ as Yogendra Kumar Sharma.
Ashutosh Rana as as Yogendra Kumar Sharma in Venky
He has acted in many Telugu films like ‘Okka Magadu’ (2008), ‘Balupu’ (2013), ‘Pataas’ (2015), ‘Jai Simha’ (2018), and ‘Kalki’ (2019).
Balupu film poster
Tamil
In 2012, Ashutosh made his Tamil debut with the film ‘Vettai’ (2012) as Annachi.
‘Vettai’ (2012)
Some of his other Tamil films are ‘Meaghamann’ (2014), ‘Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum’ (2016), ‘Johnny’ (2018), and ‘Sangathamizhan’ (2019).
Johnny film poster
Kannada
He made his Kannada debut with the film ‘Vishnusena’ (2005) as Badrinath.
Vishnusena film poster
His other Kannada films are ‘Kshana Kshana’ (2007) and ‘Avatara Purusha’ (2022).
Kshana Kshana film poster
Marathi
Ashutosh made his Marathi film debut with ‘Sankasur’ (2013) as Daji Gaokar.
Sankasur (2013)
In the same year, he acted in the Marathi film ‘Yeda.’
Yeda (2013)
Author
He is an author too, and in 2020, he authored Hindi books titled ‘Ramrajya’ and ‘Maun Muskaan Ki Maar.’
Ashutosh Rana’s books
Awards
Screen Awards
- 1999: Best Actor in a Negative Role for Dushman
Zee Cine Awards
- 1999: Best Villain for Dushman
- 2000: Best Villain for Sangharsh
Filmfare Award
- 1999: Best Villain Award for Dushman
Ashutosh Rana receiving Filmfare Award for Dushman
- 2000: Best Villain Award for Sangharsh
- 2021: OTT Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Web Original Film Pagglait
Note: As of 2022, he is one of the actors who has won the maximum number of Filmfare Awards in the Best Villain category.
Other Award(s)
- 2022: Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel ‘Ramrajya’
Car Collection
Net Worth
As of 2021, his net worth is around Rs 46 crore.
Favourites
- Food: Aloo Gobhi and Matar ki Sabzi, Rajma Rice
Facts/Trivia
- When Ashutosh cleared his class 11, he celebrated the results by playing the drums in his village. In an interview, while remembering those days, Ashutosh said,
Nobody had a faith that I will pass class 11, but when the results came, I passed with flying colours. Me along with my friends came on a truck while playing drums to announce that I have passed.”
- During an interview, Ashutosh shared an interesting story behind his name. He said that he kept his own name during a pooja at his home. He said,
It was a rudra abhishek of lord Shiv ji and my parents were chanting a mantra ‘Om Ashutoshaye Namah.’ I then asked my parents the meaning of Ashutosh, my mother said that it refers to someone who gets happy easily. I instantly decided that I would keep my name Ashutosh.”
- His mother passed away in January 1984 which deeply affected him mentally. Within a few months of his mother’s demise, he met the spiritual guru Dadda Ji, who helped him in coming out of the trauma. Since then, Ashutosh has been an ardent follower of Dadda Ji. It was Dadda Ji who motivated Ashutosh to make his career in acting.
Ashutosh Rana with his guru
- While he was in college, he used to have an image of Robinhood. The students of the college used to take his help to get their work done.
- In his leisure time, he loves to read books.
See more: Anjali Tendulkar Wiki
Anjali Arora Wiki
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn