Happy Birthday Sharad Kelkar: From Saat Phere to OTT star, a look at his journey
Sharad Kelkar, born in Gwalior, began his career in television with shows like Aakrosh, Bairi Piya, and Pavitra Rishta, gaining fame for his intense and versatile performances.
Sharad Kelkar Sharad Kelkar was born and brought up in Gwalior, but his path to stardom was anything but typical. Sharad initially appeared destined for a career in business or sports, having earned an MBA from the Prestige Institute of Management and a background in physical education from LNIPE, Gwalior.
Television debut Sharad kicked off his television career in 2004 with Aakrosh on Doordarshan. He portrayed the role of Inspector Sachin Kulkarni. He gained nationwide recognition with shows like Bairi Piya, Uttaran, and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge.
Breakthrough roles Sharad Kelkar bagged his breakthrough roles with the popular television shows like Saat Phere - Saloni Ka Safar and Pavitra Rishta. He immediately gained popularity among audiences thanks to his early roles, which demonstrated his intensity and versatility. He was featured as the host of crime shows like Shaitaan and worked in the thriller show Agent Raghav - Crime Branch. He also hosted Rock-N-Roll Family and Pati Patni Aur Woh. Alongside his wife, actress Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar, he participated in Nach Baliye 2.
Transition to Bollywood After ruling the television industry, Sharad Kelkar ventured into Bollywood with a cameo role in Hulchul. He later starred in Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ramleela, alongside Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. He appeared in films like Bajirao Mastani and Laxmii, where his performances were praised for authenticity and depth.
Marathi film In the 2014 Marathi film Lai Bhaari, he played the antagonist and delivered a performance that broke records, solidifying his reputation in the Marathi film industry. He has also contributed to films in other languages.
Voice overs Sharad's baritone voice is deep and distinctive. If you have seen the Hindi dub of Bahubali, you are aware that Sharad himself provided the voice acting out Prabhas's dialogues. He has also contributed his voice to other animated films.
OTT debut Sharad Kelkar, who starred in popular web series like Special Ops and The Family Man, was quick to experiment with digital platforms. His position in the contemporary entertainment industry was cemented by these performances, which showcased his versatility and showed that he could move fluidly between media.
Latest projects Sharad demonstrated his ability to overcome language barriers in 2025 when he made his Tamil debut with Ayalaan. His portrayal of Aryan gave his already varied filmography a new dimension. He made a strong comeback to television after eight years in Zee TV's Tumm Se Tumm Tak, where he played Aryavardhan opposite Niharika Chouksey.
Gayatri Rani is an Entertainment Writer at Moneycontrol. With a keen eye for industry trends and a passion for storytelling, she delivers latest updates to her readers.
