Mumbai: Filmmaker Kedar Shinde recently celebrated 25 years of his iconic Marathi television show, ‘Shriyut Gangadhar Tipre’. Even after two-and-a-half decades, the show continues to resonate deeply with audiences, holding a special place in their hearts.
To mark this significant milestone, Kedar Shinde took to social media, sharing a rare throwback picture featuring the show’s beloved cast members. The photograph included veteran actor Dilip Prabhavalkar, Rajan Bhise, Shubhangi Gokhale, Vikas Kadam, and Reshma Naik, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the camaraderie shared during the making of this much-loved family drama.
Alongside the picture, Shinde penned a heartfelt note in Marathi, reflecting on how ‘Tipre’ shaped his journey as a filmmaker and established his identity as a director. He recalled the first episode airing exactly 25 years ago, acknowledging the show’s personal impact. “We stopped the show after completing 175 episodes, but even today, it resides in the hearts of its admirers. Such things happen very rarely,” he wrote, highlighting its enduring appeal.
Shinde further elaborated on the show’s unique destiny, stating, “An artistic creation is born with its own destiny, but this show gave birth to me as a director.” He mentioned a conversation with Dilip Prabhavalkar before the premiere, where he confidently predicted 175 episodes, a number they precisely met. The filmmaker expressed gratitude to the discerning viewers, whose appreciation made the show a success. ‘Shriyut Gangadhar Tipre’, which first premiered on November 2, 2001, was a family sitcom based on Dilip Prabhavalkar’s literary work ‘Anudini’. It revolved around the everyday lives of a middle-class Maharashtrian family, with Prabhavalkar brilliantly portraying the central character of Gangadhar Tipre, affectionately known as Aaba. His portrayal of the witty and wise octogenarian became a memorable performance on Marathi television.