Sachin Pilgaonkar, known throughout the film industry as Sachin, was born in Mumbai in a Maharashtrian family, though his ancestors are from Goa. His father, Sharad, ran a printing press in Mumbai, but due to floods and heavy rain it got destroyed and he died soon after. Sachin is married to Supriya Pilgaonkar, an actress, and they have a daughter, Shriya. The couple is highly respected and loved, especially in the Marathi film industry. Sachin won the 1962 National Film Award for Best Child Artist for Ha Majha Marg Ekla (1962) and the 1972 National Film Award for Best Child Artist for Ajab Tuje Sarkar (1972).
Sachin started his career as a child actor in Ha Majha Marg Ekla (1962), a Marathi film and then went on to act as a child artiste in about 65 films. He then switched to adult roles and gave many hits, including Geet Gaata Chal (1975), Balika Badhu (1976), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978), and Nadiya Ke Paar (1982). Sachin has worked in Hindi, Marathi, and Bhojpuri movies. He has also acted in, produced, and directed the Indian TV shows Tu Tu Main Main and Kadvee Khatti Meethi, both starring Reema Lagoo, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Mahesh Thakur, and Kuldeep Pawar among other actors. Sachin has also directed Marathi films since the 1980s. He has also assisted in directing, especially for Sholay and then many other Hrishikesh Mukherjee movies.
On his 61st birthday today, here are a few things you may not have known about him.
#1. Sachin refers to his wife Supriya Pilgaonkar as Super! Although he loves to bicker with her like any normal couple do, he still addresses her as super, wonder why is that!
#2. It is widely believed that Sachin, who played the character of Ahmed in Sholay, was given a refrigerator as his remuneration for acting in the film.
#3. It is also believed that he directed the railway engine sequence in the film Sholay as well.
#4. Among other actors, Sachin considers Marathi actor, Swapnil Joshi like his son.
#5. In fact, believe it or not, he was trained in Urdu by none other than legendary actress Meena Kumari herself. She would call him to her house when he was a kid and teach him the language, after a game of table tennis. Fancy, right?