Biography
Chinmay Mandlekar is an Indian actor, stage director, and writer who is renowned for his work in the Marathi entertainment industry.
Mandlekar completed his schooling at St. Sebastian Goan High School and studied at the ML Dahanukar College of Commerce in Mumbai. He began working in theatre plays when he was 15 years old. Mandlekar then went on to graduate from the National School of Drama with a diploma in production. He directed a couple of plays, including Bechaki and Sukhanshi Bhandto Aamhi, during this time, which turned out to be quite successful and were well-received.
Mandlekar debuted in the acting world with his role in the Marathi television series Vadalvaat (2003) in 2005. He played a major role in Asambhav (2007) and later was cast in Agnihotra (2009). Around the same time, he also debuted in the Marathi film industry with Zenda (2009) and Jogwa (2009).
His role in the TV series Tu Tithe Me (2012) made him a prominent name in the Marathi TV industry and a household name in the state of Maharashtra. The series began airing in 2012, and Mandlekar was cast opposite Mrunal Dusanis. The show ran for two years before its final episode was released in 2014.
He also had a prominent role in Tu Majha Sangaati (2014), where he played the lead role of Saint Tukaram.
Besides that, Mandlekar is best known for his role as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in several movies. He played the role of Shivaji in Farzand (2018), Fatteshikast (2019), Pawankhind (2022) and Sher Shivraj (2022).
His other significant roles in the Marathi film industry include Gajaar: Journey of the Soul (2011), Swami Public Ltd. (2014), Lokmanya Ek Yugpurush (2015), Mahanayak- Vastant Tu (2015), Reti (2016), Sameer (2017), Halal (2017), among others.
Other than Marathi films and TV shows, Mandlekar has played supporting roles in various Hindi films, such as Tere Bin Laden (2010), Shanghai (2012), The Kashmir Files (2022) and Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh (2023).
He has also featured prominently in Hindi television series such as Ek Thi Begum (2020) and Crime Patrol: Khooni Kaun Hai? (2021).
Apart from acting in the Hindi and Marathi entertainment industries, Mandlekar also has a flair for writing and producing.
He wrote the screenplay for one of the most successful Marathi movies, Duniyadari (2013). He also has his own production company, Mulakshar Productions, with Digpal Lanjekar. He produced the Colors Marathi series Chandra Aahe Sakshila (2020) from 2020 to 2021 and the Sony Marathi series Dyaneshwar Mauli from September 2021 to the present day under the Mulakshar Productions banner.
Besides, he has written for many television series, such as Tumchi Mulgi Kay Karte (2021), Raja Rani Chi Ga Jodi (2019), Bawara Dil (2021), Jeev Zala Yedapisa (2019), Chandra Aahe Sakshila (2020), and The Raikar Case (2020).
Mandlekar's film Duniyadari became the highest-grossing Marathi movie in 2013 and won in three categories at the 51st Maharashtra State Awards. He received the Best Screenplay award for this film.
Mandlekar is married and has two children, a daughter and a son.
