Is Bollywood allergic to Marathi youngsters?

Marathi actors featuring in Hindi films is not a new thing but the fact that it is only the veterans who get these roles points out the lack of young Marathi actors in Bollywood. So, when actors like Nana Patekar, Vikram Gokhale and Sachin Khedekar are still seen in quite a lot of Hindi films, the younger generation is nowhere on the scene except for a couple of films to their credit. We bring you some actors who have featured prominently in Hindi films.

Sonali Kulkarni
Notable films: Singham, Well Done Abba, Darna Zaroori Hai, Taxi Number 9211, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Dil Chahta Hai
Her acting prowess and pretty face landed Sonali plum roles in films opposite actors like Saif Ali Khan, Fardeen Khan and Nana Patekar. She had no qualms about doing a role older to her real age in Mission Kashmir.

Atul Kulkarni
Notable films: Hey Ram, Page 3, Chandni Bar, Khakee, Dum, Rang De Basanti, Zanjeer
The National Award winning actor is a regular on the Hindi film circuit. He played a fundamentalist in Hey Ram, crime reporter in Page 3 and a corrupt policeman in Dum apart from prominent roles in Rang De Basanti and the Zanjeer remake.

Neena Kulkarni
Notable films: Hasee Toh Phasee, Bhoothnath, Guru, Paheli, Nayak: The Real Hero, Mirch Masala
Thanks to her versatility, Neena is one of the best character actors onscreen. While she has a variety of roles to her credit, she has mostly played a mother, sister or aunt in her movies. Recently she played actor Sidharth Malhotra's mother in Hasee Toh Phasee.

Ashok Saraf
Notable films: Singham, Jodi No 1, Khoobsurat, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Yes Boss, Gupt: The Hidden Truth, Koyla, Karan Arjun
This popular comedy actor of Marathi cinema has been mostly roped in by Bollywood filmmakers to essay comic characters in their films. Ashok managed to tickle the funny bone of the Hindi audiences as well.

Nana Patekar
Notable films: Welcome, Rajneeti, Apaharan, Salaam Bombay, Parinda, Krantiveer
Nana has done roles varying from serious to negative and comic ones. His prowess lies in serious roles, which is probably why filmmakers don't look beyond him when a role demands utmost conviction and seriousness.

Reema Lagoo
Notable films: Kidnap, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Reema's name certainly features as one amongst Bollywood's list of favourite onscreen mothers. Right from Salman Khan to Govinda and Abhishek Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan, Reema has played a loving mum to almost every leading actor.

Sachin Khedekar
Notable films: Rang Rasiya, Krrish 3, Agneepath, Rang Rasiya, Viruddh, Bose: The Forgotten Hero
He is an actor who has carved a niche for himself in Marathi films and has also featured in numerous Hindi films. Usually cast as a minister or brother/relative of the lead, Sachin has experimented with negative roles too.

Sayaji Shinde
Notable films: Sarkar Raj, Vaastu Shastra, Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye, Shool, Kurukshetra
Before moving down south and becoming a famous villain there, Shide did the same in Marathi and Hindi films. Numerous corrupt cop, gang leader and minister roles feature in his list of characters.

Vikram Gokhale
Notable films: Rang Rasiya, De Dana Dan, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Hey Ram
The actor who started with Marathi films, Vikram Gokhale has done a variety of roles in Bollywood. Known more for his serious acting, he displayed his comic side in De Dana Dan as well.

Mohan Joshi
Notable films: Gangaajal, Vaastav, Gunda, Mrityudand, Major Saab, Garv: Pride & Honour
As opposed to his comic or serious roles in the Marathi industry, Joshi was usually cast as a villain in Hindi films. He was also a part of the now cult film Gunda featuring Mithun Chakraborty.

Anant Jog
Notable films: Rowdy Rathore, Singham, Shanghai, No Entry, Garv: Pride and Honour
We have seen Anant essaying a distorted politician who gets thrashed by the film's hero in the end, in most of his films. Though the actor has an unmistakable Marathi accent, he easily slips into every role that is offered to him.