Shahu Modak

Shahu Modak Biography

Shahu Modak was a legendary figure associated with Marathi entertainment industry. Apart from Marathi movies, he has also acted in Hindi films. Excelled in the mythological characters, Shahu portrayed positive roles onscreen. He was associated with the industry since early 1930s and stayed for more than 5 decades. He worked in the film field during the period 1932 to 1986. He has been frequently paired with Nirupa Roy onscreen and has been paired 11 times, of which Ram Bhakta Vibhishan, Narsi Bhagat, Bhakta Puran and Jai Mahakali are the most popular ones. Manoos (1939), Sant Dnyaneshwar (1940) and Life's for Living: Aadmi (1939) are his most memorable roles.

Shahu entered the entertainment industry at an era when the film scene was fully dominated by Hindu mythological characters and he too, belongs to that category of artists who portrayed mythological roles most. Krishna and Jnanesvar are the characters he repeatedly enacted on celluloid. Towards the end of his career he portrayed character roles onscreen. Razia Sultan and Meera are among his noted Bollywood roles in the 1980s, where the lead role was played by Hema Malini.

Shahu Modak was born in 1918 in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. He was born into a Marathi Christian family. Pratibha Modak was his wife. Associated with film scene since early 1930s, Shyam Sunder in 1932 was his debut flick, where he portrayed the lead hero - Lord Krishna. Since then he portrayed Lord Krishna for around 30 movies, belonging to Marathi and Hindi languages. He passed away in 1993. Manoos award is instituted by Rangat-Sangat in memory of the legendary Marathi actor Shahu Modak, and given every year.

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Updated: January 18, 2016