Vijayendra Ghatge

education from Daly College, Indore. He was a studious and a brave student. He was both the Head Prefect in his school and also held Sword of Honour for his valiant performance in Flight Sergeant Air wing NCC. He did his graduation in B.Com Honours (Management) from Mumbai’s prominent Sydenham College of Commerce. After his graduation his family wanted him to handle family business spread all over the world but Vijayendra was interested in becoming an actor. Hence he joined F.T.I.I. (Film and Television Institute of India) Pune to become an actor.

Vijayendra won modeling assignment while in college When Vijayendra was still studying at Mumbai’s Sydenham College he won the unique ‘Sea Lord’ crown at the Naval Ball held at the United Services Club, Mumbai. Soon his name became echoing in modeling world and he won momentous campaigns for Wills, Erasmic super silver and famous suiting brands amongst others. In the 70’s The Terrene Mega Fashion Festival, pioneered Fashion Events in India and Vijayendra was one of the few famous models from Mumbai to walk the ramp. Vijayendra was spotted by Rajshri pictures but got stereotyped as second lead Being a brand name in modeling and having passed FTII with distinction, Vijayendra did not have much to struggle. Initially he was not getting roles as hero hence when film director Basu Chatterjee selected him for a pivotal role in Rajshri Pictures Chitchor (1975) he immediately signed the film. Fortunately the film was hit and he did another Rajshri films Sunayana. Though both the films were super hit but Vijayendra was second lead and not hero. Soon in films like Agar, Dhanwan, Hum Se Badkar Kaun, Aakhri Insaaf he got stereotyped as second lead. Vijayendra failed miserably as hero In a bid to escape second lead roles Vijayendra did few B-grade films as hero like Ramsay brothers Guest House. The film was an average hit. This opened gate for many more films as hero like Anpadh, Shaayad, Nazrana Pyar Ka, Maut Ka Saya, Waqt Waqt Ki Baat, Ram Ki Ganga, Waqt Ki Pukar, Divorce but all were major flop and Vijayendra was in tight spot! Vijayendra won success as villain Failed as hero, Vijayendra decided to change gear and he accepted a small yet powerful negative role in Amitabh Bachchan film Kasme Vaade (1978). As the arrogant son of a rich man, he played a wayward college student Kundan Ghanshyamdas. The role was highly appreciated and he became a famous villain. He was soon selected by eminent filmmaker of the film industry in negative roles. Pramod Chakravarty, who made hit films like love in Tokyo, Jugnu, Dream Girl etc signed him in his film Jyoti staring Hema Malani and Jeetendra. The role was akin to Pran in Ram aur Shyam, where Vijayendra played a rich zamindar who unleashes terror on the insane hero (played by Jeetendra). The movie was hit and Vijayendra was flooded with many more roles in hit films like Jeeo Aur Jeene Do, Locket etc. To add cherry on cake, Vijayendra had the prestige of working with Raj Kapoor in Prem Rog and the great filmmaker Kamal Amrohi in Razia Sultan. Vijayendra became a name reckon on TV In the mid 80’s Ramesh Sippy of Sholay film fame jumped into TV and produced a milestone TV serial Buniyaad. In this TV serial Vijayendra played a key role of Lala Brijbhaan. The serial was such a hit that Vijayendra became a household name. Later he did few more TV serials like Singhasan Battisi, Sheesha, Katha Sagar, Vikram Aur Betaal, Missione d'amore Vijayendra won success in his second inning After the huge success of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas in which Vijayendra played a key role, Vijayendra got a new lease of life and he worked with few great filmmakers, doing some extraordinary roles. His famous films include Pritish Nandy production’s Sujoy Ghosh Jhankaar Beats, Garv opposite Salman Khan, Satish Kaushik directed Shaadi Se Pehle, Anees Bazmee’s Ajay Devgan star Deewangee etc.