'''Ashok Saraf''' (born 4 June 1947) is an Indian actor and comedian, known for his work in [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and [[Hindi films]] along with [[theatre]] in both languages. He is the first Superstar of marathi cinema.Saraf has received several awards including four [[Filmfare Marathi Awards]]. He is referred to as the ''Mahanayak'' ({{lit|Greatest Actor}}), ''Ashok Samrat'' or ''Mama'' of the [[Marathi cinema|Marathi film industry]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 September 2022 |title=Patrya Maruti Ganpati's one-of-a-kind tribute to Ashok Saraf |work=[[Pune Mirror]] |url=https://punemirror.com/pune/civic/Patrya-Maruti-Ganpatis-one-of-a-kind-tribute-to-Ashok-Saraf/cid8479352.htm |url-status=live |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017225227/https://punemirror.com/pune/civic/Patrya-Maruti-Ganpatis-one-of-a-kind-tribute-to-Ashok-Saraf/cid8479352.htm |archive-date=17 October 2023 |quote=Ashok Saraf was honoured for his lifetime achievement and thought it would be a nice idea for the procession display and his contribution to the film industry is remarkable, and the "'''Mahanayak'''" deserves to be shown love and gratitude in every way possible}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2022 |title=Kon Honar Crorepati : मराठी सिनेसृष्टीचे महानायक अशोक सराफ येणार 'कोण होणार करोडपती'च्या मंचावर |language=mr |work=[[ABP Majha]] |url=https://marathi.abplive.com/entertainment/television/kon-honar-crorepati-ashok-saraf-the-great-hero-of-marathi-cinema-will-come-on-the-stage-of-kon-honar-crorepati-the-special-episode-will-take-place-on-june-25th-1072352 |access-date=15 October 2023 |quote=मराठी मनोरंजनसृष्टी ज्यांना '''अशोक मामा''' म्हणून ओळखते असं अभिनयाचं ज्येष्ठ अभिनेते अशोक सराफ |trans-quote=Veteran actor Ashok Saraf, who is known as '''Ashok Mama''' in the Marathi entertainment industry}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> In 2023, he received the [[Maharashtra Bhushan]], the highest civilian honour in the Indian state of [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Veteran actor Ashok Saraf to be conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan Award 2023 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/veteran-marathi-actor-hum-paanch-ashok-saraf-to-be-conferred-with-maharashtra-bhushan-award-2023-2495540-2024-01-30 |magazine=[[India Today]] |date=30 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024}}</ref>
From the early 1980s, Saraf started getting leading roles in Marathi films. The combination of Ashok Saraf, [[Laxmikant Berde]], [[Sachin Pilgaonkar]] and [[Mahesh Kothare]] created the "comedy films wave" in Marathi cinema from 1985 that lasted for more than a decade. His successful Marathi films as the lead hero include ''[[Ek Daav Bhutacha]]'' (1982), ''[[Dhum Dhadaka]]'' (1985), ''[[Gammat Jammat]]'' (1987), ''[[Bhutacha Bhau]]'' (1989), ''[[Balache Baap Brahmachari]]'' (1989), ''[[Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi|Ashi hi Banawa Banavi]]'' (1988) and ''[[Aayatya Gharat Gharoba]]'' (1991).
