Underrated Brothers & Tribute to Rajesh Joshi
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iView Author: SRIDHAR MAYUR (Hyderabad, India)
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Underrated Brothers & Tribute to Rajesh Joshi
I feel really sad and down when I think of the fact that we as ardent film lovers forget some artistes who have made their mark on screen, better than anyone else and I feel more when they are no more with us. I still remember the day when tears fell from my eyes when I read that Rajesh Joshi died in a car accident in January 1998. That was the time when he was working in ‘Satya‘. I read the news almost a decade later. Till that time I was thinking that he was there somewhere working in theater and yes I am to be blamed for not knowing and in one way I am happy that he was alive in my thinking almost for a decade after he passed away. The climax scene of Rangeela when ‘Pakya‘ the best friend of ‘Munna‘ informs ‘Mili’ that Munna had left forever hiding his unmatched love for her. That dialogue had a great impact which anyone who had seen Rangeela wouldn’t forget and that’s where the actor was born who had immense talent and if he were to be alive now we would have seen more wonderful roles enacted by him. He passed away at a young age of 29. I would ever forget what he told ‘Mili’ in the end…..in true mumbaiyya accent….‘tumloka ishtory sunke apan ka tho shadi aur pyar se nafrat hi ho gayela hai’...perfect!!
Rajesh Joshi was also into theater, both him and his brother(Manoj Joshi) have worked in Marathi theater. RGV gave him a break in Drohi(1992). Again RGV cast him in Rangeela which showcased him in the actual platform, then he started getting offers in the mainstream. His performance as ‘Thakur’ in Sarfarosh was appreciated by many and he enacted the role perfectly to the core. To tell you the fact, there is no information on web or in newspapers regarding him, hence I apologize for a short post on him. What we really have of Rajesh Joshi are his performances. Check out his performance in Rangeela, the climax scene.
We miss you Rajesh Joshi!!! I am sorry guys I cannot call him ‘Late’ Rajesh Joshi, it really doesn’t sink in me.
Given below are some of his works in Hindi Cinema.
Khauff (2000) …. Raja
Sarfarosh (1999) …. Thakur
Laawaris (1999) …. Addha
Satya (1998) …. Bappu
Aflatoon (1997) …as Akshay’s friend
Tere Mere Sapne (1996) …. Jyotish
Rangeela (1995) …. Pakya
Drohi (1992)
Would love to know his works in Marathi, if anyone has any info please share.
That brings me to Manoj Joshi, brother of Rajesh Joshi. Having entered the theater world in 1984, he has been an actor and director on the Gujarati, Marathi and Hindi stage. He staunchly believes that each language has its own theater culture. Manoj Joshi comes as a down-to-earth and the simple individual. The plays which garnered Manoj critical acclaim are ‘Chanakya‘ and ‘Gandhi Virudhh Gandhi’. ‘Golmaal Pyar Ka‘ is another comic play enacted by both Rajpal Yadav and Manoj Joshi. This drew large audiences across the globe from Australia to Canada and the response was fantastic. The play has been directed by Manoj Joshi himself The play showed the incredible chemistry between Rajpal and Manoj, they also have worked together in many films, mostly comic.
Manoj Joshi holds a Diploma in Fine Arts and he craves for performance-oriented roles, be it theatre or films. Manoj Joshi has delivered brilliant comic portrayals in the films ‘Hera Pheri`, `Bhagam Bhag`, `Hungama`, `Hulchul` and `Bhulbhulaiya‘. I guess Priyadarshan sees a excellent comic timing in him. His most famous comic role would be in ‘Golmaal’ as Harichandra Ramchandra Mirchindani “Harami”. He started off in mainstream as SI Bajju in the year 1999 in the Aamir Khan starrer `Sarfarosh`. This is the film where you would see both Rajesh Joshi and Manoj Joshi. He has also worked in many popular soaps on Television like ‘Chanakya’, ‘Kehta hai Dil’, ‘Janeman Janeman’, ‘Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye’, ‘Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka’ and ‘C.I.D’.
Coming to films, his performance as Ghanshyam Bhai(Mota Bhai) in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Guru‘ awed me. That role was quite underrated. The hospital scene where Guru bhai meets him after the heart attack was one of the impactful scenes in Guru. That really goes to show his versatility, from comic roles to serious roles and roles which bring challenges are enacted wonderfully by him. Just
look at the directors whom he has worked with… Sanjay Leela Bhansali(Devdas), Madhur Bhandarkar(Aan/Page3/Traffic Signal/Fashion), Priyadarshan(most of the comedy films), Mani Ratnam(Guru)….all directors giving him scope and showing
faith in his ability. And thats more than awards.
Currently his new play `Rangeela Re` has hit the stage in a big way. In this play Manoj Joshi potrays six different roles. This play has been originally written, directed and performed by Dilip Prabhavalkar. This very play is being adapted, directed and enacted by Manoj in Hindi. The five characters in which the actor enacts brilliantly are that of a young dude of Channel [V], a Mongolian prince Wong Tung Pin Pin, an Gujarati housewife `Kokilaben`, the president of all India Dabbawala Association ‘Paandoba Waghmare’, the Indian legend ‘Chanakya’ and a 85 years old actor ‘Jayshankar Joshi’. He’s also working on a mega theatre project on Sardar Patel and hopes to open “Final Draft” soon. His forthcoming films are ‘Tara Sitara‘ and ‘S.R.K.‘(Vinay Pathak in there too).
His mantra in life is to ‘enjoy life the fullest, keep smiling and give your 100%’. That’s great, and the way he has shown positive spirit after having gone through trauma in his life is an inspiration to many. Its not easy to get back on track and then entertain people in plays like ‘Golmaal Pyar Ka’, looking at Manoj Joshi should give us more courage on what we can achieve. Great going dude!!! Aap ko salaam!!!
Tags: Golmaal, Guru, manoj joshi, Marathi Theater, Rajesh Joshi, Rangeela, sarfarosh
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D. Santosh
Onir
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@Sridhar: Really appreciate your taking the initiative to highlight “underrated” artists. Keep up the good work!
It’s great that you did a post on Manoj Joshi. I remember when Golmaal Pyaar Ka was being performed in the States–luckily I was able to interview him at that time and he really came across as a down to earth and great person!
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Re:Manoj Joshi,
what was the name of the film where he played a dead body ala Satish Shah’s De Mello in Jaane Bhee do yaaron?
He was perfect to piss off SRK’s super star character in Billu ……..
His comedy style is different.a good actor who can play variety of roles.
if there is a remake of 12 angry men or ek ruka hua faisla, he will make a good juror out of 12 jurors.
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Sridhar, good going. Keep up the good work. I like the underrated series.
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both brothers are wonderfully talented. tat last scene in ‘rangeela’ where he says tum logon ka lovestory sunke…. wat a sequence. even the mukkala mukabla in essel world was too good. may his soul rest in peace :(
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true man.. i also got very sad that time, when i came to know that our PAKYA is no more for this materialistic world.. but will always be remain in our mind..may his soul rest in peace.. long live PAKYA and THAKUR..
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loved Manoj Joshi in Satta where I first noticed him. He was fantastic as the idealistic cop. But watching him in Kyun Ki spoiled all my enthusiasm for him, where he played a south Indian in coorg with a marathi accent. A marathi chankaya may be just the thing Raj thackrey might love but sorry dude, doesn’t cut ice with me.
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Hatke post….good one.Keep up the good work!!!
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OMG. RJ is dead? RIP RJ. More power to MJ. loved him most in Guru.
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Manoj Joshi is fantastic! He’s one of those people whom you always watch on screen. He’s always been wonderful in comic roles. Among serious roles, Guru has been noteworthy. He was very good even in Billu B@#$*
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Magik ^ RJ passed away in an accident while he was still shooting for Satya, which is why his character is left as such in the movie.
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Thanks Sridhar, for putting up this interesting portrait of two good actors/ brothers.
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@Amanda – Thank you much! Ive seen from my first post on underrated – MMKreem that you have encouraged such posts. And great that you’ve met Manoj, youve been lucky to meet a wonderful artiste. Thanks again!
@MindTentative & DK – Thanks bros..
@crazyrals & kaushik – Thanks for reading. Rajesh still lives in the characters he played. Thanks to the guys who have him the break.
@jitesh – Dint knew the role Manoj played in Satta. Thanks for the info
@Indraneel – Thanks to you mate.
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Small correction in the comments above…I meant ‘Thanks to the guys who have given* him the break’
@Magik – Haan yaar he is no more. I liked Manoj in Guru too!
@Kenny – Glad to know he was in Billu, Priyan really gives him scope.
@wb – Ive already added that info to my post and credits goes to RGV’s blog.
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Sridhar – great post,really nice to read about both the brothers.Both are/were brilliant actors.Would miss Rajesh ( didnt know of his death while Satya’s shoot was still on).
Manoj is amazing & by now he’s become a regular actor in Priyan’s movies.
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Sridhar Mayur ^ Ive already added that info to my post I know. …. and credits goes to RGV's blog. and thanks for sharing.
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Very Good Post Sridhar,Rajesh joshi was a indeed a very good actor i would also like to reming the scene in SATYA where bhiku gets upset when urmila happens to be around their DEN n satya goes to meethim!!and they pass comments on him/her the way scne is perfomed by all is gr8.also when he makes fun of music deire tors after shooting through his windows “USKO JULAAAB HOGYA……
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Sridhar- It was very thoughtful of you to write about Rajesh and Manoj Joshi. They are indeed great actors.As you pointed out, I wouldn’t want to use past tense for Rajesh Joshi.
Manoj Joshi was at his best in Guru.I still feel that he is yet to get the role that will truly bring out his acting talent.
Good one! Felt good reading this.Thanks!
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Rajesh joshi saying “Kaichi Utha” to the tailor in rangeela…awesome timing…
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@Sethu – Thanks bro
@HS – Thanks and also for the scenes that you’ve mentioned.
@anand – Yes, I remember the kaichi utha scene for the yellow bday dress of aamir….hahaha… He made it look so natural.
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OMG!!! Rajesh Joshi is no more? And he passed away in ‘98??????? Holy shit…i had no idea and Sridhar i was thinking the same..he might be in Theatre or in TV serials…maan..this is tragic and i feel shameful that i come to know about this almost 11 years later…always used to wonder where did he go..
BTW..Manoj Joshi is awesome..he was good in Page 3 as well
Thanks for this post Sridhar
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i really did know this….
thanks for the article sridhar……
u know the dialogue in rangeela
” arre woh chikoowaadi ki meena hai na ..usko kal pakad liya…bola ki apun terese shaadi karega..apna bachcha log english medium mein padhenga…” is one of my favourites
really feel pathetic that didnt even know his name until now…..
manoj joshi has a lot of untapped potential…most of the times priyan gives him loud characters….
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@Rashmi Dewan – Thanks for the appreciation & sharing the same feelings.
@RK – Its a Govinda film, not sure of the name though. Even in the characters which have medoicre scope, he performs well. In layman terms its ‘eye-catchy’.
@OM – Thanks. Really miss Rajesh on screen.
@ashwini – Thanks for sharing that dailogue. Wonderful! Rajesh will be known for his performances….
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I need to tell u that as i watched Satya i was recognising the voice of Manoj Joshi for the character played by his brother Rajesh Joshi….wht a tragedy life is…the brother Rajesh is immortalised in Satya in film and Manoj later gave it life with his own voice….i feel so sad
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