PRASHANT PURSHOTTOM DAMLE
Name : Prashant purshottom Damle
E-mail Address : prashantdamle61@gmail.com
Website : www.prashantdamle.com
Date of Birth : 5th April 1961
Qualification : B.Com.
Profession : Stage Actor, Producer, Singer
Experience : I am associated with Marathi Theatre since 1983 and till date
I have performed in 33 different plays and a variety of roles. In the 40-year long journey of performing arts, I have been honoured with many prestigious awards.Till date, I have Four Limca Records to my name.
I have also performed in 37 Marathi Feature Films and 24 Marathi serials. I’ve hosted the cookery show Amhi Sare Khavvaye on Zee Marathi for the 7 consecutive years from 2011-2018.
The man with Marathi theatre in his DNA
An award-winning & record-breaking actor, a new-age producer, a support system for the entire ecosystem and the flagbearer of the craft across the world – the 4-decade career of Shri. Prashant Damle is a reflection of his passion and dedication for Marathi theatre.
Shri. Prashant Damle has been extensively associated with every aspect of Marathi theatre, primarily through more than 29 different plays that he has been part of. He has acted in truly popular plays while entering Guinness (once) & Limca Book of Records (4 times) along the way. He has also turned producer and promoted new talent & fresh content that appeals to the evolving audience across generations. Going beyond these on-stage responsibilities, he has worked hard to build new centres for Marathi theatre in USA, Canada, UK, Israel, Japan and the Middle-East, while striving to build better infrastructure for Marathi theatre around Maharashtra. In fact, he has also worked tirelessly to support the backstage artists, both skill wise and financially and nurturing new talent in Marathi theatre.
The on-stage performer
Shri. Prashant Damle started his acting career in the latter half of 1970s, during his college
days. From 1978-83, he explored his craft in parallel theatre as well as through various
inter-college competitions. His passion for singing and acting, earned him his first few
prominent roles. His roles in Tour Tour and Maharashtrachi Lokadhara, saw him sing
more than 35 songs, in addition to playing crucial parts.
Slowly, Shri. Prashant Damle started doing more significant roles in commercial theatre. His work in Moruchi Maushi got him his first-ever lead role in Brahmachari, by renowned playwright Acharya Atre. These two plays led to the turning point in his career with Gela Madhav Kunikade that first went on stage in 1992. The play was a huge hit among Marathi audience globally and went on to be a part of many records. For two consecutive years in 1995 and 1996, Shri. Prashant Damle gave 452 and 469 performances of 5 different plays in a single calendar year. Both these numbers are in Limca Book of Records for maximum number of performances in a year. Shri. Prashant Damle has given 12,775 performances of 33 plays on stage, which is a world record.
The success of this iconic play was followed by many other successful roles by Shri. Prashant Damle, which included Chaar Diwas Premaache, Gela Madhav Kunikade and Eka Lagnachi Goshta. Each of these plays, in addition to Moruchi Maushi, has more than 1000 shows.
The next big step on-stage
While Shri. Prashant Damle’s love for acting is undying, he also wanted to understand the challenges faced by a producer. In 2008, Shri. Prashant Damle turned producer himself. Till now, he has produced 13 plays including the acclaimed ones like Olakh na Paalakh, Saakhar Khallela Maanus and Eka Lagnachi Pudhchi Goshta.
With his firm intent to continuously serve Marathi theatre and audience in a better way, Shri. Prashant Damle became the first producer in India to introduce online bookings in Marathi theatre.
Many firsts for Marathi theatre
In fact, he has been a part of many firsts in the history of Marathi theatre.
Shri. Prashant Damle is the first artist to have been invited to perform a Muhurt Marathi play at Varsha – the official residence of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, in the year 2000.
In 2015, he celebrated the centenary of legendary Marathi musical play Sangeet Sanshay Kallol, by performing at the iconic Peacock Theatre, City of Westminister, in the United Kingdom. It was the first-ever Marathi play to have debuted at Peacock.
The off-stage caretaker
The humanitarian side of Shri. Prashant Damle has been witnessed by many people across different walks of life. But when it comes to theatre, his passion for life, Shri. Prashant Damle supported 350+ Marathi theatre employees, giving them Rs. 2500 per month, during the first wave of COVID in 2020. He has continued this support again from April 2021, in the process raising almost Rs. 1 crore.
At the same time, he has strived hard to nurture the next generation of Marathi theatre performers. He has founded and runs the T-School, an institute where upcoming talent is groomed in acting, singing and dancing, to help them pursue their dream of theatre and ensuring that the pipeline of good artists for Marathi theatre, never goes dry.
Shri. Prashant Damle continues to take 12–13-hour sessions himself, to pass on his experience, in the best possible manner.
Shri. Prashant Damle has won 18 prestigious awards, including many state government recognitions, for his acting and contribution to Marathi theatre. And while doing this, he has also been a part of 37 feature films, 24 TV serials and many other initiatives that have strengthened and enriched the Marathi art movement regionally, nationally and globally.
AWARDS WON FOR THEATRE
| 2024 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Shikayla Gelo Ek |
| 2024 | Best Actor | Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Natya Parishad | Shikayla Gelo Ek |
| 2019 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Eka Lagnachi Pudhchi Gosht |
| 2017 | Best Producer | Zee Talkies Award | Sangeet Sanshaikallol |
| 2015 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Karti Kaljat Ghusli |
| 2013 | Career Award | Maharashtra State Award | - |
| 2010 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Bahurupi |
| 2008 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Olakh Na Palakh |
| 2003 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Amhi Doghe Raja Rani |
| 2003 | Best Actor | Kalaranjan Puraskar, Pune | Amhi Doghe Raja Rani |
| 1999 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Eka Lagnachi Gosht |
| 1999 | Best Actor | Natya Nirmata Sangh | Eka Lagnachi Gosht |
| 1999 | Best Actor | Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Natya Parishad | Eka Lagnachi Gosht |
| 1999 | Best Actor | Alfa Gaurav Puraskar | Eka Lagnachi Gosht |
| - | Record Breaker Actor | Special Award – Prabhat Channel | - |
| 1996 | Best Actor | Natyadarpan Award | Priyatama |
| 1995 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Lekure Udand Jhali |
| 1995 | Best Singer / Actor | Kalnirnay | Lekure Udand Jhali |
| 1995 | Best Singer / Actor | Akhil Bhartiya Natya Parishad | Lekure Udand Jhali |
| 1995 | Best Actor | Critics Award | Lekure Udand Jhali |
| 1993 | Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Gela Madhav Kunikade |
| 1993 | Best Actor | Natydarpan Award | Gela Madhav Kunikade |
| 1993 | Best Actor | Natya Nirmata Sangh | Gela Madhav Kunikade |
AWARDS WON FOR FILMS
| Best Actor | Maharashtra Chitrapat Mahamandal | Vajva Re Vajva |
| Best Supporting Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Sawat Mazi Ladki |
| Best Actor | Maharashtra State Award | Bho Bho |
OTHER SIGNIFICANT HONOURS RECEIVED
- Rajiv Gandhi Award - Government Of Maharashtra
- Best Young Indian Award - Indian Junior Chamber
- A Special Award By National Defence Academy (NDA) for Social Work
- A Special Award By Kamayani Institute For Mentally Handicap Boys & Girls
- Parshuram Puraskar
- D. Litt. By Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth
- President - Akhil Bhartiya Natya Parishad
- President Award : Sangeet Natak Kala Academy Puraskar 2020
FOUR LIMCA RECORDS
- 24th Dec. 1995 - 4 shows Of 3 Different Plays In One Day
- 1st Jan. 1995 To 31st Dec. 1995 - 452 shows In 365 Days
- 1st Jan. 1996 To 31st Dec. 1996 - 469 shows In 365 Days
- 18th Jan 2001 - 5 shows Of 3 Different Plays In One Days
GUINNESS BOOK RECORDS
- Forwarded The Documents To Guinness Book Of World Records For Doing Maximum Number Of Shows I.E. 12500 Shows
Click here to see TOTAL NO. OF SHOWS TILL DATE
