Milind Gunaji (born 23 July 1961) is an Indian actor, model, television presenter, writer and author, most known for his roles in Marathi and Hindi cinema.[1][2] He made his first film appearance in 1993's Papeeha and has since performed in over 250 films and acted as the host of the Zee Marathi channel travel show Bhatkanti.[3] Gunaji has served as the Government of Maharashtra's brand ambassador for forests and wildlife. Currently, he is the brand ambassador for Hill Station Mahabaleshwar.
Milind Gunaji | |
|---|---|
 Milind Gunaji in 2023 | |
| Born | 23 July 1961 |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouse | Rani Gunaji |
| Website | Official Website |
Career
editGunaji was born on 23 July 1961 in Bombay (present-day Mumbai), Maharashtra. Gunaji initially began acting in the 1993 film Papeeha and first gained widespread notice in the 1996's Fareb in the role of Inspector Indrajeet Saxena.[4] The role earned him a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Performance in a Negative Role.
In 2009 he was named the brand ambassador for the Novel Institute Group's NIBR College of Hotel Management.[5][6] Milind did Everest , which aired on Star Plus November 2014. He has also made a brief appearance in South Indian cinema, playing important roles in two movies Aalavandhan (Tamil) and Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (Telugu).
Gunaji has held many solo photo exhibitions as a photographer, including in Balgandharva Pune, Kalidas Hall in Nashik, Prabodhankar Thackeray Hall in Vile Parle among others.[7]
He has served as a travel writer, brand ambassador of Intiamatkat Tours and writes a weekly column in the Lokprabha supplement of the Marathi daily Loksatta. As an author, Gunaji has penned 12 books. In 1998, he published his first book, Majhi Mulukhgiri, a compilation of his Lokprabha columns.[8][9] Gunaji has modeled, stating that it "satisfies my ego and gives good monetary returns."[10]
Filmography
editFilms
editTelevision
edit- 1997: Byomkesh Bakshi (TV series) (Episode: Sahi Ka Kanta) as Debashish [1]
- 2002: CID (Indian TV series) (Episode 197,198/ the case of blackmail victim) - Johnny (Main culprit)
- 2006–2009: Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan – Vijaypal
- 2008-2010: Kulvadhu (Marathi Serial) - Ranvir Rajeshirke / Bhaiyyasaheb
- 2011–2012: Veer Shivaji – Jagirdar Shahaji Raje Bhosale
- 2012–2013: Hum Ne Li Hai... Shapath – ACP Pratap Yashwantrao Teje
- 3 November 2014 - 1 March 2015: Everest – Colonel Arun Abhyankar
- 2013-2015: Khwabo Ke Darmiyan - Aastha's father
- Bhatkanti and Discover Maharashtra on Zee Marathi
- 2022 Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness on Disney+ Hotstar
Works
edit- Majhi Mulukhagiri (1998)
- Bhatkanti (2001)
- Chala Mazya Govyala (2003)
- Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra (2003)
- Chanderi Bhatkanti (2005)
- Gudha Ramya Maharashtra (2007)
- Mystical Magical Maharashtra (2009)
- A Travel Guide Offbeat Tracks in Maharashtra (2009)
- Anwat (2011)
- Meri Avismarniya Yatra (2011)
- Gad Killyanchi Bhatkanti (2011)
- Hawai Mulukhgiri (2013)
Awards and nominations
edit- 1997: Nominated: Filmfare Best Villain Award for Fareb
- 1998: Nominated: Filmfare Best Villain Award for Virasat
References
edit- ^ "Host with the most: The multi-faceted Milind Gunaji". Indian Express. 29 November 2005. Archived from the original on 2 December 2005.
- ^ "5 questions with Milind Gunaji:Actor and avid traveller Milind Gunaji's fifth travelogue, Chanderi Bhatkanti." Indian Express. 29 January 2005. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
- ^ "Struck by wanderlust". Indian Express. 21 October 2003. Archived from the original on 14 May 2005.
- ^ "Milind Gunaji bags 3 international projects". Business of Cinema. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ "Gunaji is NIBR brand ambassador". Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ "I found a friend in Uddhav Thackeray: Milind Gunaji". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ Service, Tribune News. "Milind Gunaji has a passion for photography". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
- ^ "Milind Gunaji releases travelogue". Indian Express. 26 May 1998.
- ^ "Glitterati:Mr Backpacker". Outlook. 25 June 2001.
- ^ a b "My face best suits a villain: Milind Gunaji". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ Mundhra, Jag, Backwaters (Drama, Thriller), Raj Film Productions, retrieved 17 February 2022
- ^ "Ek Shodh (The Search) ready". Screen. 12 February 2010. Archived from the original on 20 February 2010.
- ^ "The Rise Of Sudarshan ChakraU". The Times of India.