Dilip Prabhavalkar

Dilip Prabhavalkar
Prabhavalkar in 2015
Born	4 Aug 1944
Occupation	Actor, author
Years active	1972 onwards
Website	www.dilipprabhavalkar.com

Dilip Prabhavalkar is an Indian Marathi and Hindi film, television and theatre actor. In Marathi cinema, he is best remembered for his character 'Tatya Vinchu' in the film Zapatlela and his lead performance in films like Chaukat Raja and Ek Daav Bhutacha.

In Marathi television, he will forever be remembered as 'Aaba Gangadhar Tipre' and as the simpleton 'Chimanrav' of the duo Chimanrav-Gundyabhau.

In Marathi theatre, his performances in 'Hasva Phasvi' and 'Vasu Chi Saasu' were very popular.

However, Prabhavalkar became particularly known on the national scene for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in the 2006 Hindi film, Lage Raho Munna Bhai. He reprised the role of Gandhi in the Telugu language remake, Shankar Dada Zindabad. Apart from acting, Prabhavalkar is author of many plays and children's story books.

Dilip Prabhavalkar obtained bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga. He gained his master's degree in Biophysics and a diploma from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, before working for a pharmaceutical company and as a partner in a video production unit. During this period, he performed as an actor in several children's and experimental plays staged at Chhabildas.

His first major performance was in Lobh Nasava Hi Vinanti a play written by Vijay Tendulkar and directed by Arvind Deshpande. In 1991, he decided to choose acting as a career.

In children's and amateur theatre, Prabhavalkar was associated with Ratnakar Matkari's group and performed in all the plays staged by the troupe. His performances of a simpleton in Prem Kahani and Vidur in Aranyak — a play based on the Mahabharat — were awarded prizes at the Maharashtra State Drama Festival.