Ankush Chaudhari

Ankush Chaudhari (pronounced; born 31 January 1973) is an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, and producer who works predominantly in Marathi cinema. Regarded as one of the most successful and highest-paid actors in the industry, he has built a career spanning film, television, and theatre over more than three decades. He has received several accolades including three Filmfare Awards Marathi, three MaTa Sanman and eight Maharashtracha Favourite Kon awards.

Born in Pune and raised in a working-class household in the Parel chawls of Mumbai, Chaudhari helped support his family as a boy while nurturing an early interest in performance through school and college cultural events. While studying in College, he took his first steps into stage acting, and in 1990 he joined Maharashtrachi Lokdhara, a folk-theatre production, which drew him toward a full-time career in the performing arts. He made his film debut with Suna Yeti Ghara in 1995 and subsequently appeared in Marathi and Hindi films as well as television productions. He came to wider attention through films including Savarkhed Ek Gaon (2004), Matichya Chuli, Yanda Kartavya Aahe, and Aai Shappath..! (2006) and Checkmate (2008). He also established himself as a filmmaker, directing the commercially successful comedies Saade Maade Teen (2007) and Zhakaas (2011), followed by No Entry Pudhe Dhoka Aahey (2012).

His performance as Digya in Duniyadari (2013) became a significant milestone in his career, and in 2015, he starred in Classmates, Double Seat and Dagadi Chawl, all of which performed strongly at the box office. that consolidated his status as a star of the industry. He subsequently appeared in films including Ti Saddhya Kay Karte (2017), Dhurala (2020) and Maharashtra Shahir (2023). His performance in Dhurala earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor, while his portrayal of Krishnarao Sable in Maharashtra Shahir earned him several awards. In 2026, he returned to directing with Punha Ekda Sade Made Teen, a sequel to Saade Maade Teen, and made his digital debut with the psychological crime series Devkhel.

Chaudhari is married to actress Deepa Parab, whom he met in college and later co-starred with in All the Best, and they married in 2007 and have one son. In addition to his work in cinema, Chaudhari has hosted and judged Marathi television programmes, appeared at major award ceremonies, and worked as a brand ambassador for several brands and sporting organisations.