Remembering VIKRAM GOKHALE

DEVESH SHARMA writes a short profile of the veteran theatre and film actor, who passed away recently (November 14, 1945 - November 26, 2022)

Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Vikram Gokhale acted in more than 80 movies and 17 television serials. Before starting his journey on screen, he was a consummate stage actor in Marathi theatre and acted under the tutelage of stalwarts like Vijaya Mehta, who is said to be his mentor.

Some of the famous plays he has acted in include Khara Sangaycha Tar, where he played a criminal lawyer, Katha and Ye Dil Abhi Bhara Nahi.

He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to theatre in 2011. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in Marathi film Anumati (2013). In the film, he realistically conveyed the helplessness of an old man named Ratnakar, whose wife has slipped into a coma and has been put on life support, but he hasn't the means to continue the procedure. In recognition of his contribution to cinema, the actor was honoured with the Vishnudas Bhave Award in 2015 by the Akhil Maharashtra Natya Vidya Mandir.

He was born into a family of actors. His great grandmother, Durgabai Kamat, is said to be the first female actor of the Indian screen and acted as Parvati in Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), directed by Dadasaheb.

Phalke. Her daughter, Gokhale's grandmother Kamlabai Kamat, just 13, was introduced as the heroine Mohini in the film and is said to be the first child actor of the film industry.

She later married Raghunathrao Gokhale and had three children, Chandrakant Gokhale, Lalji Gokhale and Suryakant Gokhale.