Nitish Bharadwaj, a renowned figure in Indian television, achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of Lord Krishna in B. R. Chopra’s epic Mahabharat. His career extends beyond acting, encompassing veterinary science, politics, and even directing. Let’s delve into his multifaceted life.
Wiki/Biography
Nitish Bharadwaj was born on Sunday, June 2, 1963 (age 60 as of 2023), in Mumbai. His zodiac sign is Gemini. He completed his schooling at Mumbai’s Gokhle Education Society’s DGT High School and Robert Money School. He then earned a B.Sc. from Wilson College (1977-1979) and a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry from Bombay Veterinary College (1979-1983).
Growing up in a middle-class Mumbai household, he benefited from his mother’s extensive library and her passion for education and literature. This early exposure to scriptures significantly influenced his later career.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 6’2″
- Eye Colour: Hazel Brown
- Hair Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Nitish Bharadwaj hails from a Hindu Brahmin family.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Janardan C. Upadhyay, was a prominent lawyer and a close associate of George Fernandes. His mother, Sadhana Upadhyay, headed the Marathi Literature department at Wilson College and was deeply involved in classical music and Marathi literature. Her passing had a profound impact on Nitish.
Relationships, Wife & Children
Nitish Bharadwaj has been married twice. His first marriage to Monisha Patil (daughter of Vimla Patil) ended in divorce in 2005. He remarried Smita Gate (an IAS officer) in 2009. This marriage also ended in 2022.
He has two children, Arrush and India, from his first marriage, who reside in London with their mother. He also has twin daughters, Devyani and Shivranjani, from his second marriage.
Career
Veterinary Surgeon
Before his acting career took off, Nitish worked as an assistant veterinarian. However, he found the work monotonous and pursued his passion for acting instead.
Acting
His acting journey began in college theatre and continued with various Marathi and Hindi plays and films. His breakthrough role was as Lord Krishna in B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat.
His career included roles in films such as Khatyal Sasu Nathal Sun (Marathi debut), Trishagni (Hindi debut), and Njan Gandharvan (Malayalam). After Mahabharat, he worked on other projects with B.R. Chopra and also appeared in Bollywood films such as Mohenjo Daro and Kedarnath.
He also ventured into writing and directing with the Marathi film Pitru Roon.
Politics
Nitish Bharadwaj’s foray into politics involved joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 but later left politics in 2007.
Awards
His directorial work, Pitru Roon, garnered several accolades:
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Screen Awards for Best Director | 2014 |
| Sahyadri Film Awards for Best Screenplay Writer | 2014 |
| Maharashtra State Film Awards for 2nd Best Director | 2014 |
| Maharashtra State Film Awards for 2nd Best Film | 2014 |
Facts & Trivia
- He is a vegetarian.
- He enjoys yoga, meditation, reading, traveling, and listening to music.
- He has never smoked or consumed alcohol.
- He is active on various social media platforms and runs a YouTube channel.
- He owns an organic farm near Pune.
