Girija Shankar

Last updated
Girija Shankar
Born1960
Alma mater Punjabi University
Occupation(s)Actor, Producer, Director
Known for Mahabharat
SpouseMalvinder Shankar

Girija Shankar is an Indian actor, producer and director. He is mostly known for playing the character Dhritarashtra in the 1988 TV series, Mahabharat. [1]

Contents


Early Life

Girija spent his childhood in Patiala, Punjab. He wanted to join the Indian Air Force since his childhood [2] but later he didn't pass the test due to his age at that time. He now resides with his family in Los Angeles, United States.

Career

In the early 1980s, Girija worked in the plays at the Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai. Director B.R. Chopra, who used to watch plays in the theatre with his family, was impressed by one of Girija's performances and offered him a role in his 1984 film, Aaj Ki Awaaj. [1] He then collaborated with the director in the TV series like Bahadur Shah Zafar (1986) and Mahabharat (1988).

Girija played Dhritarashtra at the age of 28, in the 1988 TV series Mahabharat created by B.R. Chopra. [1] [3] He was unaware about the character before the production. But he accepted the role after learning about his importance and was considered to be the most challenging character in the series.

He debuted as a director with the 2003 comedy film, Banana Brothers [4] starring Anupam Kher.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1986 Bahadur Shah Zafar Mohammad Bakht Khan Episode 11
1986-1987 Buniyaad Ralliyaram
1988-1990 Mahabharat Dhritarashtra
1988ChunniHardayal SinghEpisode 1-10, 13-16 [5]
1993-2002 Alif Laila King Shahryar
1999 Suraag – The Clue Keshav Katre "K. K."Episode 25
2013 Uttaran Agarth Yadav

Films

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotesRef.
1984 Aaj Ki Awaaz Minister Sri Kanhaiya Laal TomarHindicameo [5]
Ab Ayega Mazaa Chopra saab
1989 Aag Se Khelenge Inspector Ravi Saxena
Bhrashtachar Charan Das
1990 Jurm Police Commissioner
Shiva Inspector Tejesh Akhouri
1991 Irada Mr. Khanna
Haque Swami Hariprasad
1992 Honeymoon Kuldeep Kaushal
1993 Pyaar Ka Tarana Prem
15th August [6] Dholi
1994 Mr. Azaad Police Inspector
1995 Policewala Gunda Don Kailashnath Narang
Aatank Hi Aatank Raka
1998 Sarbans Dani Guru Gobind Singh Wazir Khan Punjabi
2003Banana BrothersDirector
2015 Gaddar: The Traitor
2019 DSP Dev MLA Bakhtaawar Brar

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Kaushal, Ruchi (May 27, 2020). "Girija Shankar on playing Dhritrashtra in Mahabharat at age of 28: 'I trained myself to look straight, was asked to try lenses'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  2. "सिनेमा समाज का दर्पण : गिरिजा शंकर". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). November 17, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  3. "एयरफोर्स में जाना चाहते थे 'धृतराष्ट्र', BR चोपड़ा के ऑफर ने बदली LIFE". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi).
  4. "Man on a mission". The Tribune. April 21, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Kaushal, Ruchi (Jun 26, 2023). "Mahabharat's Girija Shankar recalls when Gufi Paintal thanked him: 'You saved my life'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  6. "15th August - Movie - - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 2025-01-19.