Biography

ACTOR.educator.creative force

About Me

Mandar Kulkarni is a Pune-based actor, theatre practitioner, educator, and creative consultant with over two decades of experience across Marathi and Hindi theatre, television, OTT, and cinema. Born on 18 March 1985 in Pune, Maharashtra, he began his artistic journey in 2000 and holds a Master of Arts in Acting (Gold Medalist, First Rank) and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the Centre for Performing Arts, Savitribai Phule Pune University.

He has participated in more than 37 national and international theatre workshops under stalwarts such as Pt. Satyadev Dubey, Ibrahim Alkazi, Vijaya Mehta, Vijay Tendulkar, Girish Karnad, Ratan Thiyyam, Satish Alekar, and Sanjana Kapoor, among others. Over a career spanning more than 117 competitions, he has won over 73 prestigious prizes including multiple Best Actor awards.

As the founder-director of Natakwala — a creative consultancy and theatre platform established in 2004 — Mandar has trained more than 4,000 students, created opportunities for over 450 creative professionals, and collaborated with organisations including Infosys, TATA, HDFC, Teach for India, the National School of Drama (TIE), and Symbiosis International University.

Achievements

Two decades on the stage. 4,000+ students trained. 
One relentless commitment to craft.

2006-2011

Rabindranath Tagore Award (2011) · Sharadchandraraoji Pawar Fellowship (3 consecutive years, 2006–2009) · Maharashtra Cultural Centre Scholarship (2007–2009) ·

2009

M.A. Acting — Centre for Performing Arts, Savitribai Phule Pune University · Gold Medal

2016

Married to Vallarie Apte (Kathak dancer, disciple of Pt. Maneesha Sathe) since 21 November 2016.

2011

FILMS : Balgandharva · Hunterrr · Are Avaaj Konacha · Dhyaas

2009

Television / OTT: Agnihotra · Aabhaas Haa · Lakshya · Shejari Shejari Pakke Shejari · Pudhcha Paaul · Tumcha Amcha Same Asta · Amhi Dogha Raja Rani · Radha Prem Rangi Rangli · Ghetla Vasa Taku Nako · Horn Ok Please · Ti Phularani · Crime Patrol (Sony)

2004

Selected stage roles: chandrapurchya junglat (2004) pagla ghoda (2005); Gola Yug (2006); bakhar (2007); Death of a Salesman (2008); No Exit (2009); chaitra (2010); jatretla giantwheel (2011); Na Yeti Uttare (2012); upashi khalashi (2013); hamlet (2014)