Swapnil Rajshekhar


Swapnil Rajshekhar Bhutkar is an Indian film actor and writer, most known for his roles in television series such as Raja Shiv Chhatrapati, Kulaswamini both on television channel Star Pravah, Khel Mandala on the television channel Mi Marathi, Veer Shivaji on Colors, in Swapnanchya Palikadley on Star Pravah, Ajunhi Chand Raat Aahe on Zee Marathi, Char Divas Sasuche on ETV Marathi, participated in the reality show on ETV Marathi, Jai Malhar on Zee Marathi also in Swarajyarakshak sambhaji as Ganoji shirke on Zee Marathi and Asava Sundar Swapnancha Bangla on Colors Marathi.
He has been a popular anchor, host of various musical shows, and as a singer has performed in a great number of musical shows with various groups. He was the winner of Zee Antakshari – Goa award in 1997. He is from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

Early life

Swapnil was born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. His father Rajshekhar was a great actor and one of the finest thespians of the Marathi film industry. Janardan had nurtured the dream of acting in cinemas and in its pursuit came to Kolhapur, during his struggling years he stayed at his sister’s place and would regularly visit Jayaprabha Studio. His life took turn when he happened to meet "Bhalaji Phendharkar". Bhalaji saw the talent in Janardan Bhutkar and offered him small role in Akashaganga. Bhalaji changed his name from Janardan to Rajshekhar. It is with this last name that Swapnil debuted in films, and, for all public purposes, he used Rajshekhar as his last name.
His mother Vaishali Rajshekhar also had a keen interest in acting and has done a several Marathi Films and Theatre. Swapnil attended the "Private High School" in Kolhapur, and later went on to study in "New College Kolhapur" to complete his Sociology Degree. He then joined theater.

Career

Making his debut as a child artist at the age of seven with Govind Kulkarni’s Tamasgeer, he followed up with Fukat Chambu Baburao.
Following this he joined theatre at the age of twenty. He’s acted in various play’s like Vatrat Karti, Prema Tuzha Rang Kasa?, Niyam ani Apavaad – which was a Marathi remake of Sir Bertolt Brecht's The Exception and the Rule and Sheetyudh Sadanand.
Along with acting in these plays to directing a few which includes Ratrani, Kshan, Girhaik, Chaukashi, Rikshawala, Trailer... to name a few. He has also directed a few industrial and social documentaries as well as advertisements including .
Swapnil started his television career with Doordarshan in 1995 and acted in TV series such as Kondmara, Shejar, Bhoomiputra, Reshimgathi for Zee Marathi channel. He has also modeled for Bajaj Tempo Traveller, Elf Engine Oil and Birla Plus Cement TVC's.
In the year 1997 he acted in his first feature film Pratidaav, a film about how two political families in a village continuously fight for the same position. Swapnil played a negative character in the film. This was followed by a role in a romantic musical comedy called Sang Priye Tu Konachi? in the year 1999.
Since then he has done over fifty films including Hirva Kunku, Apharan, Bhavachi Laxmi, Achanak, Lek Ladki. In 2010-2011, he acted in Bhandara, Chandrakala, Natha Purey Aata, Durga Mhantyat Mala, Rajmata Jijau, ', ', Teen Bayka Fajiti Aika. He is also featured in directed by about the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute.
Then in the year 2012 and since came Janmadata, Rama Shiva Govinda, Haa Khel Jivashi, Shikshanacha Jai Ho, Premshakti, Aabhas, Angaraki
He has also been a part of Punha Gondhal Punha Mujra directed by Balkrishna Shinde; this film is a sequel of the 2009 release Marathi film . The film marked the debut of Bollywood Actors Alok Nath and Ashish Vidyarthi.
He was seen in lead role in Gorakh Jogdande's Nazar, which released in the year 2015.
He was also a part of the musical extravaganza Katyar Kaljat Ghusali, as the Maharaja of Vishrampur, King Vishnuraj which was the directorial debut of Subodh Bhave
His first release in the year 2016, was Police Line... Ek Purna Satya, directed by Raju Parsekar
He then did Manus Ek Mati, Directed by Suresh Zhade, which released in March 2017.
He is currently doing a theatrical play called Vidamban Ekach Pyala written by Acharya Acharya Atre. Vidamban as the name suggests is based originally on Ram Ram Ganesh Gadkari's play Sangeet Ekach Pyala. The play is directed by Satish Pulekar. Swapnil plays a character called Ramlal in the play.
His next film is set to release in November 2017, titled Maza Algaar , where he plays the role of a Mahant.

Writer and Director

Swapnil Rajshekhar, has directed a social documentary film titled ', which was released online on YouTube in December, 2015.
He later wrote another short film titled Baluta, which was directed by Ajay Kurane, which released in June 2016, for which he has received an award for the Best Screenplay at the first ' in the same year.
Baluta, has also received various other awards at different National and International Film Festivals all over India in different categories.
He then went on to write and direct another short film later in the year 2016, the film is titled Saavat, for which he has received numerous awards including ' at the ' and Best Director at the 4th Sangli International Film Festival.
Saavat has received a total of thirty three awards till now at various national and international film festivals all over India, which includes awards for Best Film, Best Writing, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Actor, Best Actress and so on.

Awards and nominations