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Laxmikant Berde (26 October 1954 – 16 December 2004) was an Indian actor known for his work in Marathi and Hindi cinema.^[1] In a career spanning over 20 years as a film actor, Berde has appeared in more than 150 films.^[2] Referred to as “Superstar of Marathi Cinema”.^[3][4] He has received several accolades including, a Maharashtra State Film Award and two Filmfare Awards Marathi.

He began his career as an employee at the production company Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and later appeared in supporting roles in several Marathi stage plays. In 1983–84, he gained recognition for his role in the Marathi play Tur Tur.

In addition to his film career, Berde was also involved in successful comedy stage plays, including Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe and Bighadale Swargache Dwaar. During his career, he appeared in around 185 films in both Bollywood and Marathi cinema.

Berde received two consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Actor – Marathi for his performances in Lek Chalali Sasarla (1984) and Dhum Dhadaka (1985). He also received four nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for his roles in the films Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), 100 Days (1991), Beta (1992), and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994).

Laxmikant Berde was born on 26 October 1954 in Bombay (now Mumbai). He was the youngest of six siblings and sold lottery tickets as a child to help with the family income. His interest in acting developed through his participation in stage dramas during cultural activities for the Ganesh festival at Girgaon.^[5] Berde also won awards in inter-school and inter-college drama competitions. He later began working at the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh, which marked the beginning of his acting career.^[6]

Berde began his acting career while working at the Marathi Sahitya Sangh, initially taking on small roles in Marathi stage plays. In 1983–84, he gained recognition with his first major role in Purushottam Berde's Marathi stage play Tur Tur, which was well-received and helped establish his comedic style.^[5]

Berde made his film debut with the Marathi film Lek Chalali Sasarla in 1984.^[6] He later starred alongside Mahesh Kothare in films such as Dhum Dhadaka (1985) and De Danadan (1987), both of which contributed to Berde's recognition as a comedic actor.^[5][7] He received two consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Actor – Marathi for his performances in Lek Chalali Sasarla and Dhum Dhadaka. He frequently worked with Kothare and Ashok Saraf, forming a notable pairing in Marathi cinema. Along with Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar, and Kothare, Berde appeared in the 1988 Marathi film Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi.^[5]

Berde's first Hindi film appearance was in Sooraj Barjatya's Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), where he starred alongside Salman Khan. He went on to appear in several other Hindi films, including Saajan (1991), 100 Days (1991), Beta (1992), Anari (1993), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Mere Sapno Ki Rani (1997), and Aarzoo (1999). Berde continued his work in Marathi stage plays, including Shantecha Karta Chalu Aahe.

In 1992, Berde took on a serious role in the film Ek Hota Vidushak, but the film did not perform well commercially, leading him to return to his comedic roles.^[8][9]

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Berde appeared in several Marathi films, including Amhi Doghe Raja Rani, Hamaal De Dhamaal, Balache Baap Brahmachari, Eka Peksha Ek, Bhutacha Bhau, Thartharat, Dhadakebaaz, and Zapatlela.^[7]

Berde also appeared in Marathi television serials, including Nasti Aafat and Gajra. His last film was Pachadlela (2004), after which he died.^[10]

Berde was married twice. His first wife Ruhi, he married her in 1983, and she died on 5 April 1998, cause of death was known as brain hemorrhage.^[8]

He married actress Priya Berde in 1998, and they had 2 kids, Abhinay Berde and Swanandi Berde, both who became actors.^[9]

In the final years of his life, Berde ran his own production house, Abhinay Arts, named after his son, Abhinay. He was also a proficient ventriloquist and guitarist.^[11]

On 16 December 2004, Berde died in Mumbai due to a kidney ailment at the age of 50.^[12] He is survived by his wife Priya, his son Abhinay, daughter Swanandi, and elder brother Ravindra. His funeral was attended by several notable personalities from the Marathi film industry, including Mahesh Kothare, Ashok Saraf, and Sachin Pilgaonkar.^[13]

• Laxmikant Berde at IMDb