When you picture a 74-year-old actor, you might imagine someone slowing down. Then you meet Sharat Saxena. This seasoned performer, who just celebrated his birthday on August 17, 1950, looks more like a professional bodybuilder than a typical senior citizen. He’s built a physique that many young gym enthusiasts would envy. This dedication to fitness isn’t just a recent hobby; it’s a lifelong passion, stemming from his childhood love for wrestling. He even shares his workout routines online, inspiring legions of fans.
Saxena’s journey into the movies wasn’t a straight line. He was born in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, and grew up in Bhopal. He even completed an engineering degree. Yet, the call of the stage was stronger than any office job. After finally getting his father’s blessing, he packed his bags and moved to the bustling city of Mumbai. His early career got a significant boost thanks to the famous writer duo, Salim-Javed, who helped him land his first roles.
For many years in the 1970s and 80s, Saxena was often seen playing the tough guy. He was the villain’s sidekick or the menacing antagonist. But as the 1990s rolled in, his career took a refreshing turn. He began taking on different kinds of characters. Audiences started seeing him in comedic roles and even as the hero’s dad. He’s been the father figure to some of the biggest names, including Salman Khan, not once but twice. He has now appeared in more than 250 films. His work isn’t just limited to Hindi cinema; he has also acted in Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil movies. He remains active in the industry; you might have recently caught him in Ajay Devgn’s film, “Son of Sardaar 2.”
He kicked off his acting journey in 1974 with Amitabh Bachchan’s film, “Benaam.” While he’s worked with many well-known actors, some roles stand out in public memory. He played Daga, the memorable associate of the villain Mogambo, in the 1987 classic, “Mr. India.” He also earned a Filmfare nomination for Best Villain for his portrayal of Raunak Singh in Aamir Khan’s 1998 hit, “Ghulam.”
Sharat Saxena has a special place in his heart for writers Salim-Javed. He once shared in an interview with Bollywood Hungama how they were instrumental in his early days. They helped him get small parts and even a substantial role in “Kala Patthar.” That connection later led to him playing Salman Khan’s father in “Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge” in 2002. Saxena shared that after that movie, Salman promised to always look out for him. True to his word, whenever Salman makes a film, Saxena often gets a call for a role. He remains deeply thankful to the entire Khan family.
Despite his versatile career, Saxena has been open about the challenges faced by older actors. He believes that many of the significant senior roles often go to Amitabh Bachchan. This leaves very few options for other seasoned performers like himself, some of which he ends up turning down. He feels that opportunities for actors his age are quite limited in the film industry.
Yet, Sharat Saxena continues to defy expectations. He returned to the screen as Kareena Kapoor’s father in Salman Khan’s “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” a role that earned him much appreciation. In the “Hera Pheri” series, he appeared as Totla Seth. This gangster character, who spoke with a lisp, was only on screen for a short while in “Phir Hera Pheri,” but it became instantly iconic. Beyond these, he’s been part of many beloved movies, including “Tridev,” “Ghayal,” “Khiladi,” “Gupt,” “Duplicate,” “Soldier,” “Baghban,” “Fanaa,” and “Krrish.” His enduring presence and impressive physique prove that age is truly just a number when passion drives you.
