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Deepak Antani

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Deepak Antani
Born (1964-09-20) 20 September 1964 (age 60)
Bhuj, Gujarat, India
Occupation(s)Actor, Film director
Years active1988–present
Known forPortraying Mahatma Gandhi
Notable work

Deepak Antani (born on 20 September 1964) is an Indian actor, director and screenwriter known for his work in Gujarati and Hindi cinema, television and theatre. He is widely recognized for portraying Mahatma Gandhi across multiple platforms including films, plays, documentaries and museum.[1] His performance as Gandhi in Gandhi Godse – Ek Yudh (2023), directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, received national attention.[2][3][4][5] He has also played the role in the international film Gandhiji My Mentor (2016) and stage play M.K. Gandhi Hazir Ho (2019), which has been performed across India. Antani holds records in both the Limca Book of Records (2020–22) and India Book of Records (2019) for the maximum number of performances as Mahatma Gandhi on stage and screen.[6][7][1][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

Early Life and Education

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Deepak Antani was born in Bhuj, in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. He completed a Diploma in Electrical engineering with distinction. Later, he pursued his passion for performing arts and earned a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dramatics from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Before becoming a full-time actor, he worked as an electrical technician at Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited. (IPCL) and as a production assistant at Doordarshan, India’s national broadcaster.[19][18]

Career

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Deepak Antani began his career as a production assistant at Doordarshan, Ahmedabad, and later served as the Programming Head at ETV (now Colors Gujarati). He also worked as a consultant for various regional Gujarati TV channels, including GSTV and Soham TV.[12][15][19][18]

He made his directorial debut in Gujarati cinema with Bhav Bhav Na Bharthar in 2000, which won regional film awards.[20] Over the years, he has acted in more than 25 Gujarati and Hindi films and over 30 television serials. He has also written, directed, and performed in many stage plays, short films, and documentaries focusing on Indian history and social themes.[8][9][10][11][12]

Antani is best known for his long-standing portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi. He played Gandhi in Gandhiji My Mentor (2016), which was screened at several international film festivals and later released on ZEE5 and YouTube.[14] In 2023, he portrayed Gandhi in Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh (2023), directed by Rajkumar Santoshi,[2][3][4][21][5][22][13][23] and Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), directed by Shyam Benegal.[1][7][24][17] He also played the same role in Kesari Chapter 2 (2025), which was released in 2025 and produced by Dharma Productions.[11][12][14][15][25]

On stage, Antani has performed as Gandhi in more than 190 shows. His notable theatrical works include Yugpurush (2016), which depicted Gandhi’s spiritual journey, and M. K. Gandhi Hazir Ho (since 2019), a solo play that he also wrote and directed.[6][14] Yugpurush became part of a record-breaking theatrical run with over 1000 performances in India and abroad.[7][1][11][12][19][18]

His image and voice as Gandhi have been featured in several museum exhibits and digital projects. These include Walk with Gandhiji at Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum in New Delhi, Talk with Bapu at Mahatma Gandhi Museum, Rajkot, and an exhibit at the Gandhi Tower in Patna.[7][14] He has also appeared in government-supported documentaries such as Jang-e-Azadi, Vishwa Manav Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhiji Amdavad Ma.[1][9][11][12][19][18]

Antani’s upcoming project as a director is the Gujarati feature film Goti Lo (2025), which continues his contribution to socially relevant storytelling in regional cinema.[26][19]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Actor Writer Director Language Notes Refs
2000 Bhav Bhav Na Bharthar Yes Yes Gujarati Streaming on Hotstar [20][8]
2016 Kanku Purayu Maa Amba Na Chok Ma Yes Gujarati Revised Title is Dil Ma Vasto Desh, Streaming on Shemaroo Gujarati [20][27]
2016 Gandhiji My Mentor Gandhiji Yes Hindi [11][14]
2017 Pritam Apni Paheli Prit Yes Gujarati [20][27]
2019 Daddy I Love You Yes Gujarati [28]
2019 Pagal Kar Diya Toone Dhanraj Sheth Yes Hindi [29]
2021 Love You Pappu Gandhiji Yes Hindi [12]
2022 Thank You Boss Yes Yes Gujarati Streaming on Shemaroo Gujarati [30][31]
2022 Maare Shu News Debater Yes Gujarati [32]
2023 Lakiro Judge Yes Gujarati
2023 Gandhi Godse – Ek Yudh Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Yes Hindi Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi [2][3][4][21][22]
2023 Mujib: The Making of a Nation Mahatma Gandhi Yes Hindi Indo-Bangla Film Directed by Shyam Benegal [1][14][15][24]
2025 Kesari Chapter 2 Mahatma Gandhi Yes Hindi [15][25]
2025 Auntypreneur Himanshu Bhai Yes Gujarati [33][34]
2025 Goti Lo Yes Gujarati Also Executive producer and Lyricist [26][19]

Web series

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Year Title Role Language Notes Refs
2019 The Family Man Gujarati Driver Hindi Season 1, Episode 7 Paradise, Streaming on Amazon Prime Video [7][15]
2022 Kalyanmurti Shrimadji Ni Jivangatha Mahatma Gandhi Gujarati With co-actress Rohini Hattangadi, Streaming on 1 OTT YouTube Channel [1][8]

Television

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Year Title Role Channel Language Notes Refs
2019 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Gandhiji Sony SAB Hindi Episode 2832 [12]
2020 Barrister Babu Gandhiji Colors TV Hindi Episode 136 and 137 [12]
2024 Sardar: The Game Changer Mahatma Gandhi DD National Hindi As a young and old Gandhiji in Episodes 1 to 30 [35][36][37]

Theater Play

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Year Title Role Actor Writer Director Language Notes Refs
2004 Sardar Patel Gandhiji Yes Yes Yes Gujarati Supported by Gujarat State Sangeet Natak Academy [1][12][15][19]
2015 Yugpurush Gandhiji Yes No No Gujarati and Hindi Produced by Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur [7][1][12]
2019 M.K. Gandhi Hazir Ho M.K. Gandhi Yes Yes Yes Hindi Performed for Global Art Festival and Sponsored by Gujarat Tourism [6][7][1][11]

Social and Cultural Contributions

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In January 2019, Deepak Antani participated in a 150 kilometre Gandhi Padyatra across Gujarat, led by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Dileepbhai Sanghani and Parshottam Rupala. The padyatra aimed to promote basic education and Gandhian values. Antani, appearing as Mahatma Gandhi, delivered public speeches during the journey to engage communities on themes of truth, non-violence, and self-reliance.[38][1][39][40][41]

Awards and Recognition

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Deepak Antani was featured in the Limca Book of Records (2020–2022) and the India Book of Records (2019) for the most performances as Mahatma Gandhi.[9][13][14][16][17] He won Best Actor for Gandhi Godse – Ek Yudh at the Maharaja Film Festival[42] and received a special award at the Transmedia Gujarati Awards (2024) for his portrayal of Gandhi.[1][8][43]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "બાપુ નહીં પણ બાપુ તરીકે ઓળખાતા અભિનેતાનું નામ Limca Book of Recordsમાં નોંધાયું". Gujarati Midday. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Gandhi Godse – Ek Yudh Motion Poster: It is Deepak Antani vs Chinmay Mandlekar in Rajkumar Santoshi directorial". Bollywood Hungama. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "'Gandhi-Godse Ek Yudh' poster released; filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi makes a comeback after 9 yrs". Business Today. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "'Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh': First look of Rajkumar Santoshi's film unveiled". The Hindu. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  5. ^ a b "First poster of Rajkumar Santoshi's comeback film Gandhi Godse-Ek Yudh unveiled!". Lokmat. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "A contemporary take on Gandhi and his life". The Times of India. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Exhibition of Paintings by Indian and African Artists on Mahatma Gandhi opens in Vadodara". Connect Gujarat. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Photos: 'गांधी गोडसे: एक युद्ध'मध्ये महात्मा गांधींची भूमिका साकारणारा अभिनेता कोण?". Loksatta. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d "Gandhi Godse ek yudh: चर्चा में फिल्म 'गांधी गोडसेः एक युद्ध', कौन हैं लीड रोल निभाने वाले एक्टर?". Aaj Tak. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  10. ^ a b "शाहरुख खान की 'पठान' से होगी 'गांधी गोडसेः एक युद्ध' की टक्कर, जानें कौन हैं लीड रोल निभाने वाले एक्टर?". News18 India. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "'ગાંધીજી'નો ઇન્ટરવ્યૂ:હવે અમદાવાદના 'ગાંધી' હિન્દી ફિલ્મમાં ગોડસે સામે બાથ ભીડશે, દીપક અંતાણીને જોઇને કહેશો, 'આ તો અસ્સલ ગાંધીજી જ લાગે છે!'". Divya Bhaskar. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "DEEPAK ANTANI – eye catching entry to Bollywood as Gandhi in Rajkumar Santoshi's "Gandhi Godse – Ek Yudh"". Sangri Today. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  13. ^ a b c "How I Finally Played Gandhi In A Film". Rediff.com. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h "Gandhi Godse actor Deepak Antani holds the record of playing MK Gandhi most number of times". Bollywood Hungama. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g "Deepak Antani: हां, मुझे गांधी जी की मुहर मिली है।". Mayapuri. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Actors who brought Mahatma Gandhi to life: Ben Kingsley, Naseeruddin Shah and others". News Nine. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  17. ^ a b c "National Martyr's Day: From Oscar-Winning Actor Ben Kingsley to Deepak Antani, 7 Actors Who Brought the Mahatma to Life Onscreen". ETV Bharat. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e "Deepak Madhukant Antani, Always Been an Avid Follower of Art and Films & Has an Extensive Experience in the Field of Entertainment". Workmob. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "ઇન્ટરવ્યૂ - દિપક અંતાણી - પ્રતિલિપિ". Pratilipi. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d "Deepak Antani yet to find a heroine for his next Gujarati film". The Times of India. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Rajkumar Santoshi unveils the motion poster of his film Gandhi-Godse Ek Yudh; movie to hit theatres on January 26, 2023". Peeping Moon. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Photos: Rajkumar Santoshi's daughter Tanisha unveils first look from debut movie 'Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh'". Asian News International. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  23. ^ "ગાંધીના રોલમાં એક વધુ ગુજરાતી - દીપક અંતાણી". Gujarat Samachar. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  24. ^ a b "ફિલ્મ નિર્માતા શ્યામ બેનેગલનો ગુજરાત સાથે રહ્યો અનેરો નાતો, ગુજરાતી કલાકાર દીપક અંતાણીએ વાગોળ્યા સંસ્મરણો - SHYAM BENEGAL GUJARAT RELATION". ETV Bharat. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  25. ^ a b "Kesari Chapter 2 (2025)". Filmweb. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  26. ^ a b "Manoj Joshi's Gujarati film 'Goti Lo' highlights losing the real world to the lure of the virtual one". Sangri Today. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  27. ^ a b "Director Deepak Antani's next Gujarati movie will be a devotional". The Times of India. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  28. ^ "Daddy I Love You - Official Trailer". The Times of India. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  29. ^ "Pagal Kar Diya Toone Movie: Showtimes, Review, Songs, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos". The Times of India. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Thank You Boss - Official Trailer". The Times of India. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Thank You Boss Movie: Showtimes, Review, Songs, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos". The Times of India. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Maare Shu Movie: Showtimes, Review, Songs, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos". The Times of India. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  33. ^ "Deepak Antani Filmography and Biography". Indian Film History. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  34. ^ "Auntypreneur Movie Trailer, Star Cast, Release Date, Box Office, Movie Review". Indian Film History. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  35. ^ "K.C. Bokadia's Historic Serial 'Sardar: The Game Changer' to Air on DD National from March 10th". Morning Kashmir. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  36. ^ "Launch of TV serial SARDAR THE GAME CHANGER". Bollyy. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  37. ^ "K.C. Bokadia's historic serial 'Sardar: The Game Changer' to air on DD National". Bollywood Town. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  38. ^ "જ્યારે હું ગાંધી બનીને ગુજરાતનાં 150 ગામડાંમાં ફર્યો". BBC Gujarati. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  39. ^ "මහත්මා ගාන්ධි ජීවමාන කරන ඉන්දියානු නළුවා". BBC. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  40. ^ "Shri Mansukh Mandaviya undertakes PadYatra on 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi". Press Information Bureau. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  41. ^ "150-Kilometre March In Gujarat For Mahatma Gandhi's Birth Anniversary". NDTV India. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  42. ^ "Ahmedabad News: મહારાજા ફિલ્મ ફેસ્ટિવલ એવોર્ડ્સનું આયોજન, ઓસ્કાર સુધી પહોંચેલી ફિલ્મ છેલ્લો શોને વર્લ્ડ-વાઈડ બ્લોકબસ્ટર ફિલ્મનો એવોર્ડ". Gujarati Jagran. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  43. ^ "ટ્રાન્સમીડિયા એવૉર્ડના ૨૧મા વર્ષના ગુજરાતી ફિલ્મો-નાટકોના નૉમિનેશન જાહેર, જુઓ લિસ્ટ". Gujarati Midday. 4 February 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
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