Manoj Joshi
Acclaimed Actor
Padma Shri Awardee
'Inspirational Address: Breaking the stereotype to emerge a winner'
Acclaimed Actor Manoj Joshi, a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri Award, has appeared in over 102 feature films, portraying diverse roles that have resonated with audiences. Notable among these are comedic performances in Hindi films such as "Phir Hera Pheri," "Hungama," and "Bhool Bhulaiyaa". He has also featured in acclaimed TV shows like "Chanakya" and "Maa Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka".
Manoj is currently serving as a society member at the National School of Drama, an esteemed autonomous institute under the Ministry of Culture. Through this, Manoj actively contributes to the development and nurturing of young talents in the dramatic arts. In addition, he holds the position of Vice Chairman at CINTAA (Cine and TV Artists Association) that addresses the concerns of over 7,500 artists and technicians, providing essential medical and financial assistance to its members.
Manoj has received recognition from various esteemed platforms. Among the highlights are the Best Actor awards from Abhiyaan Natyaspardha for portraying Chanakya in 1990 and from the Maharashtra State Vyavasayik Gujarati Natyaspardha for Gandhi Virudh Gandhi in 1997. The Gujarat Sangeet Natak Kala Akademi Gaurav Award in 2010 and the Sabarkatha Ratna Awards in 2014, presented by Shri Narendra Modi, further underscored the appreciation for his contributions to theatre.
The subsequent years brought further accolades: the Critic Gold Award for Best Supporting Actor in "Samrat Ashok" by ABP News in 2015, along with the Impact Markers Award on Television and the Chhatrapati Award from distinguished organizations. Internationally, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Glorious Gujarat, USA, in 2015.
In 2016, Manoj received the National Award for his role in the Marathi film "Dashakriya". In 2018 he was conferred the Padma Shri by then President Shri Ram Nath Kovind. In 2022, he had the honour of performing in a special stage-play, Rashtrapati Bhavan, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. This one-and-a-half-hour-long play vividly traces the history of the Rashtrapati.
Manoj’s dedication to the stage remains unwavering, particularly in Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati theatre, where he has participated in successful productions that have left a lasting impact on his career.