Nilu Phule

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Nilu Bhau Phule
Phule in early films
Born
Nilkanth Krushnaji Phule

4 April 1930 (1930-04-04)
Poona, Bombay Presidency, British India
Died13 July 2009 (2009-07-14) (aged 79)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Other namesNilu bhau
Occupation(s)Stage and film actor
Years active1968–2009
Spouse
Rajani Phule
​
(m. 1975)​
[1]
Children3
AwardsSangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991)

Nilu Phule (Marathi pronunciation: [niɭuː pʰuleː]; 4 April 1930 – 13 July 2009) was an Indian actor known for his roles in Marathi movies and Marathi theatre. Nilu Phule acted in around 250 Marathi and Hindi movies during his film career.[2] He was most prominently seen playing the roles of notorious villains in the movies. He is recipient of numerous accolades including a Filmfare Award Marathi, four Maharashtra State Film Awards, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Zee Chitra Gaurav Lifetime Achievement Award.

Phule was also a social worker,[3] and was associated with Rashtra Seva Dal.[4]

Early life

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Phule was born in 1930 in Pune as Nilkanth Krushnaji Phule in a Mali (gardener) family. He is great grand son of Indian social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. He was involved in the independence movement. According to his interview in a serial 'Vastraharan' on a Marathi channel, he was a freedom fighter from Pune.

Phule's first job was that of a gardener at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, aged 17. He used to get a salary of Rs. 80 per month, out of which, he used to donate Rs. 10 to the Rashtriya Seva Dal, a social organization he was involved with.[5] He wanted to pursue his gardening career forward, but due to lack of financial support, he could not start his own plant nursery.[6] During this time, at the age of 20, Nilu was inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's writings and went on to write a drama, Udyan. His composing for the drama Yedya Gabalache Kam Nahi during the 1957 Lok Sabha elections garnered him fame.[6]

Acting career

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Nilu Phule began his theatrical career with the Marathi folk performances (Loknatya).[5] His first professional drama was Katha Akalecha Kandyachi, which went on to have over 2000 shows. It was based on this success that he was offered his first movie Ek Gaav Baara Bhangadi, by Anant Mane in 1968.

Nilu often played villains; most notably his portrayal of Sakharam Binder. Some of his notable film roles include: Hindurao Dhonde Patil, a zamindar and a sugar tycoon in Samna, a power-drunk politician in Mahesh Bhatt's Saaransh and a political journalist in Jabbar Patel's Sinhasan.[5]

He also played the role of 'Nathu Mama' in the 1983 hit Hindi movie Coolie where he worked with Amitabh Bachchan.

One of Phule's most notable theatrical performances include his role as the eponymous hero of Vijay Tendulkar's Sakharam Binder (first staged in 1972). Kamlakar Sarang, who directed the first production of the play in 1972, was apprehensive of Phule's reticence. However, he was convinced that Phule would be fit for the role, when Vijay Tendulkar reminded him of Phule's aggressive performance as a minister in another play, Katha Aklechya Kandyachi. [5]

He was known for his legendary voice and dialogue delivery. His dialogues in his films remains one of the most popular dialogues across Marathi Film Industry. It is said that his acting in villainous roles in movies was so surreal that women in real life would despise him thinking that he was the same deviant person in real life too, and that was a great compliment to his works.

In May 2013, when Forbes India, the Indian edition of American Business Magazine Forbes, declared 25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema, the list included Phule's performance as Hindurao Dhonde Patil in the film Samna.[7]

Death

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Nilu Phule died on 13 July 2009, aged 79, from esophageal cancer. His wife Rajani Phule died in 2011. They are survived by their daughter Gargi Phule Thatte.[2]

Awards

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Plays Acted

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  1. Katha Akalecha Kandyachi
  2. Sakharam Binder

Filmography

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Year Title Role Film Language Notes
1968 Ek Gaon Bara Bhangadi Jhele Anna Marathi
1969 Mukkam Post Dhebewadi Chandrakant
1969 Gan Gaulan Bhau
1970 Dhartichi Lekare Nilu
1970 Ganane Ghungroo Haravale Chandarao Marathi
1971 Songadya Battashya
Asheech Ek Ratra Nagya
Lakhat Ashi Dekhani Bapusaheb Batate
1972 Pinjara Sarkar Marathi
1972 Harya Narya Zindabad Narya Marathi
1973 Thapadya Rao Marathi
Haath Lavin Tithe Sone Nilu Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actor
Sonarane Tochale Kaan Baban Sonar
1975 Samna Hindurao Dhonde Patil Marathi
Varaat Sopan Marathi
Karava Tasa Bharava Babu Marathi
Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty Street Vendor Hindi
1976 Farrari Shripat's Father
Choricha Mamla Chanderrao
Pudhari Zumbar Sethji
1977 Soyrik Raut Marathi
Banya Bapu Kaka
Naav Motha Lakshan Khota Usha's Father Marathi
Jait Re Jait Nagya's Father Marathi
Bhingri Daulatrao Patil
Mansa Paris Mendhra Bari Hari Baramatikar Marathi
1978 Sarvasakshi Balasaheb Marathi
Padrachya Savlit Nilubhau Marathi
Sasurvasheen Balasaheb Marathi
1979 Do Ladke Dono Kadke Champa's husband Hindi
Bhayaanak Thakur Sahab Hindi
Sunbai Oti Bharun Ja Shekhar Marathi
Sobati Lambatya (Laxman)
Chaandal Chowkadi Deshmukh
Sinhasan Digu Tipnis
Paijjecha Vida Sakhya
Meri Biwi Ki Shaadi Fernandes Hindi
Haldikunku Himself Marathi Special appearance
Deed Shahane Babnya Marathi
Aaitya Bilavar Nagoba Bhujangrao Marathi
1980 Fataakadi Damu Saavkaar Marathi
Bhalu Ramrao Runk Marathi
Sau Din Saas Ke Khubchand (Lalla Ji) Hindi
Kadaklakshmi Vaman Marathi
Zidd Jeeva Dada Marathi
Sinhasan Digu Tipnis Marathi
Savat Bandu Master Marathi
1981 Kasam Bhawani Ki Maniram Lala Hindi
Naram Garam Guruji Hindi (Special appearance)
Shama Barrister Hindi
Satichi Punyayee Kishenseth Thorat
Patalin Amrut Sheth Marathi
Nagin Ranjana's Father
Soon Majhi Laxmi Gaffur Seth
Sahakar Samrat Sampatrao Kodge
Saubhagyadaan Dadasaheb
Mosambi Narangi Mumbaji alias Suryajirao Marathi
Aai Guruji
Sundara Satarkar Sundara's Father
Sulavarchi Poli Kaka
1982 Shapit Rangya Marathi
Laxmichi Paule Sudama Pawar
Chatak Chandni Sarpanch
Ramnagari Himself Marathi Special appearance
Raakhandar Rajabahu
Galli Te Dilli Saheb Marathi
Don Baika Phajeeti Aika Aburao
Diste Tasa Naste Sarjerao Patil (Anna)
Bhujang Bhujangrao Marathi
Bhannat Bhanu Kakasaheb
Aplech Daat Aplech Oth Nana
Bhamta Nilu Marathi
Savitrichi Soon Bhujangrao Kale
1983 Gumnaam Hai Koi Lajpat
Zara Si Zindagi Jaggu (Kusum's father) Hindi
Woh Saat Din Maya's maternal grandfather Hindi
Coolie Nathu Mama Hindi
Sasu Varchad Javai Jyotish (Gangaram Teli) Golaram Teli
Raghumaina Raghu's Father
Mardani Prataprao Ramdokhey Hindi
Kashyala Udyachi Baat Nilkanth Sagle
Baiko Asavi Ashi Balu (Balaram Mohite) Marathi
Paaygoon Sampatrao
1984 Aao Jao Ghar Tumhara Unnamed Hindi Small Role
Mashaal Vithal Rao Hindi
Saaransh Gajanan Chitre Hindi
Zakhmi Sher Lala (Anandi's father) Hindi
Thakas Mahathak Sarpanch Nanasaheb Uchle
Sage Soyare Nanu Mama
Shraadha Inamdar
Bin Kamacha Navra Sahebrao
Bahuroopi Dadasaheb Bhole
1985 Gaon Tasa Changla Pan Veshila Tangla Hindurao Marathi
Devashappath Khara Sangen Superintendent K. Bhanudas
Haqeeqat Rickshaw Driver Hindi
Rao Saheb Radhika's Father Hindi
Dhagala Lagli Kala Nilkanth Marathi
1986 Kaanch Ki Deewar Lakhsmi Singh Hindi
Sutradhar Bhaurao
Maa Beti Raghunandan Hindi
Pudhcha Paool Babasaheb
Insaaf Ki Awaaz Balwant Azaad Hindi
Gadbad Ghotala Khalave
Bijli Niluba - Sonar Marathi
Mi Chairman Boltoy Chairman Marathi
1987 Hirasat Dhirubhai Hindi
Sarja Rustam Marathi
Purnasatya Patang Rao
Porichi Dhamaal Baapachi Kamaal Digamber Avdhoot
Mohre Social Worker Hindi
Kalatay Pan Valat Nahi Raosaheb Deshmukh
Jaago Hua Savera Unnamed Hindi Unreleased
Bhatak Bhavani Kaluram Landge Saheb Marathi
1988 Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani Thakur Hindi
Maza Pati Karodpati Laxmikant Kuber Marathi
Tamacha Jwala Pratap Singh Hindi
Kabzaa Mandar Bhagawat Hindi
Bandiwan Mi Ya Sansari Guru
Sarvashreshta Bhau
Saglikade Bombabomb Appasaheb Dharadhar Marathi
Mamla Porincha Nilu Bhau
Majjach Majja Kaka Saheb Marathi
1989 Prem Pratigyaa Mohan 'Dadhu' Rao Hindi
Oonch Neech Beech Sadhu Hindi
Garibon Ka Daata Post Master Hindi
Hamaal De Dhamaal Nilkanth Phule Marathi
Ek Ratra Mantarleli Ramsharan Marathi
Auntyne Wajavli Ghanti Dhanajirao Marathi
1990 Ghanchakkar Nagraj Baba
Rickshawali NK Dada
Kalat Nakalat Nana Garud
Kuldeepak Bahu Kasbe
Patli Re Patli Mamasaheb
Disha Dashrath 'Dadji' Mandre Hindi
Dhamal Bablya Ganpyachi Narsinghrao
1991 Suryodaya
Halad Rusli Kunku Hasla Dadasaheb
Pratikaar Dadasaheb / Appaji Hindi
1992 Shubh Mangal Savdhan Rajesh's Father
Zunz Tujhi Majhi Bapujirao 'Nagoji' Nagvekar Marathi
Than Than Gopal Gopal Rao
Maalmasala Manmohan
Ek Hota Vidushak Nana Marathi
Dharpakad Dadasaheb Dharpakad Marathi
1993 Janmathep Inspector Tirsinghrao Labade
Takkar Mr. Saple
1995 Painjan Jairambapu Shingarwadikar
Senani Sane Guruji Appa Rane
Limited Manuski Jyotish Acharya Marathi
1996 Pratidaav Rao Marathi
Putravati Police Commissioner Krishnakant Deshmukh
Durga Aali Ghara Dadasaheb Deshmukh
Ashi Asavi Sasu Mama
1997 Paij Lagnachi Aabasaheb
1998 Ghar Bazar Kishan Murari Hindi
2001 Zanzaavat Gambler Marathi
2004 Prem Sakshi Aajoba
Pandhar Farmer
Saatchya Aat Gharat Yuvraj's Grandfather Marathi
2005 Chalta Hai Yaar Malhar Rao Patil Hindi
2007 Kadachit Gayatri's Grandfather Marathi
2008 Gaav Tasa Chaangla Satpute Master Marathi
Mohini Kaka Marathi
Aara Aara Aaba Aata Tari Thamba Sutradhar Marathi
2009 Goshta Choti Dongraevadhi Himself Marathi Guest Appearance his last film before he died
2010 Ladi Godi Rajesh's Dead Grandfather Marathi (final film role)

References

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  1. ^ "Gargi Phule Thatte fondly remembers Nilu Phule and Rajani Phule on their 43rd wedding anniversary". Times of India.
  2. ^ a b "Marathi actor Nilu Phule passes away". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Nilu Phule: News, Movies, Photos, Videos & Updates". The Indian Express. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Nilu Phule was a gardener before an actor". Rediff.com. 14 July 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d Dubey, Bharati; Pronoti Datta (14 July 2009). "Veteran actor Nilu Phule makes his final exit". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  6. ^ a b c Contractor, Huned. "The man behind the villain". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  7. ^ "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema | Forbes India". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Award for Nilu Phule - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
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