Kishore Pradhan, a celebrated Indian actor known for his contributions to Marathi cinema and Bollywood, left an enduring legacy. This post explores his life, career, and some lesser-known aspects of his journey.
Biography/Wiki
Born on November 1, 1932, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Kishore Pradhan hailed from a wealthy family that nurtured his artistic inclinations. From a young age, he was captivated by theatre, participating in plays and radio dramas. He even worked as a child artist.
His involvement extended to collaborating with renowned Marathi playwright and director Purushottam Darwhekar. During his college years in Nagpur, he actively participated in college festivals, laying the groundwork for his future career. After graduating with an M.A. in Economics from Morris College, Nagpur, he pursued a research scholarship at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai.
Following his research, he joined Glaxo Laboratories. Even with a demanding corporate job, his passion for theatre remained strong. He founded his own theatre group, Natraj, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the arts. He was also involved with Doordarshan since its launch in 1972, notably co-hosting the show Gajra with his wife.
In 1987, he stepped away from Marathi plays due to a busy work schedule. He retired from his managerial position at GlaxoSmithKline (formerly Glaxo Laboratories) in 1994 after over 25 years, dedicating himself fully to acting and theatre. He also enjoyed a successful career in advertising, serving as a character model for over 15 years.
Family & Wife
Kishore came from a prominent Marathi family. His father, Amrutrao Pradhan (Kakasaheb), was a respected pharmacist and owner of Amrut Pharmacy in Nagpur. His mother, Malati Amrut Pradhan, was a well-known theatre actress and playwright. He was married to Shobha Pradhan.
Career
Kishore Pradhan’s talents extended beyond acting. He excelled academically, completing his schooling in Nagpur and obtaining an M.A. in Economics. His breakthrough in theatre came in 1970 with the play Kaka Kishacha. Over his career, he performed in over 100 Marathi and 18 English plays, along with roles in Marathi, Hindi, and English films.
His memorable film roles include appearances in Jab We Met (with Kareena Kapoor), Lage Raho Munna Bhai (with Sanjay Dutt), and Me Shivaji Raje Bhosle Boltoy (with Sachin Khedekar).
| Film | Role | Co-stars |
|---|---|---|
| Jab We Met | (Role unspecified in original text) | Kareena Kapoor |
| Lage Raho Munna Bhai | (Role unspecified in original text) | Sanjay Dutt |
| Me Shivaji Raje Bhosle Boltoy | (Role unspecified in original text) | Sachin Khedekar |
| Shubh Lagna Saavdhaan | (Role unspecified in original text) | (Co-stars unspecified in original text) |
Death
Kishore Pradhan passed away on January 11, 2019, in Mumbai. While the exact cause of death remains undisclosed, his last film appearance was in Shubh Lagna Saavdhaan (2018).
His contributions to theatre and film are widely remembered. His dedication to his craft and his family’s supportive background played significant roles in his success. He was a multifaceted individual whose life and career inspire many.
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