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Manoj Joshi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 6, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth3 September 1965

Age58 Years

BirthplaceGoregaon, Maharashtra

ProfessionTheatre Artist, Actor, Film & Theatre Director

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseCharu Joshi

FamilySon - Dharmaj Joshi; Son - Rudra Joshi; Father - Navneet Joshi; Brother - Rajesh Joshi (deceased)

Manoj Joshi Biography

Manoj N. Joshi is an Indian theatre artist, character actor and director whose career spans stage, television and film in multiple languages. A Padma Shri‑

Early life and background
Manoj N. Joshi was born on 3 September 1965 in Goregaon, Maharashtra, and grew up in a family with roots in north Gujarat. He developed an early interest in art and theatre, studying painting and attending theatre classes while in college. Joshi completed a BA at Mithibai College of Arts, Mumbai, and earned a diploma in commercial art from Sir J.J. School of Arts.

Before establishing himself as a professional performer, Joshi worked in publishing and took small commercial assignments for magazine covers. He also spent a brief period working as a cashier in Mumbai. Those years exposed him to both visual art and writing, and he even authored a Marathi play titled Karma during his college days.

Career
Joshi’s professional life is built on a strong foundation in theatre. He has acted with several prominent groups and collaborators, including the Indian Peoples’ Theatre Association and directors and artists such as Satyadev Dubey, Vijay Mehta and Shafi Inamdar. On stage he has performed in Gujarati and Hindi plays ranging from contemporary pieces to classical adaptations, and he adapted Ghashiram Kotwal from Marathi into Gujarati.

His first film appearance came in Gujarati cinema with the 1990 National Film Development Corporation production Hun Hunshi Hunshilal. Over the following decades he moved fluidly between stage, regional films, Hindi cinema and television. Joshi’s Hindi film credits include Chandni Bar, Satta, Dhoom, Vivah, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Hasee Toh Phasee and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. He has also taken on notable comic and character parts in popular comedies such as Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, Phir Hera Pheri and Golmaal: Fun Unlimited.

Joshi has worked across languages: Marathi films include Bharatiya, Narbachi Wadi and Dashakriya; Gujarati films include Bey Yaar, Thai Jashe!, I.M.A. Gujju, Nayika Devi: The Warrior Queen and Nava Pappa; and he appeared in the Malayalam film Odiyan. His credits extend to English‑Hindi productions such as Jogger’s Park and a number of short films, including The Mumbai Trilogy, After He Left: Chronicle of Shankar Pratap Singh and Gunchakkar.

On television he has been a familiar face in both Hindi and regional serials. Hindi serials listed in his career include Kehta Hai Dil, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, Mangalam Dangalam, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka. Marathi television appearances include Abhalmaya and Honar Sun Me Hya Gharchi. He has also directed and performed in his own theatre productions; his Hindi theatre presentation Chanakya became widely seen after he mounted and toured the play.

Awards and recognition
Joshi’s body of work in theatre, television and film has been recognised with numerous awards over the years. Highlights include state and national theatre honours, a National Award for the Marathi film Dashakriya, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the civilian honour of Padma Shri in 2018 for his contribution to acting.

Public profile
Joshi is married to Charu Joshi, who runs a theatre production company. Their son Dharmaj Joshi is also an actor. He comes from a family with a father who was a Sanskrit scholar and kirtankar; one brother, Rajesh Joshi, was also an actor.

Beyond performance, Joshi has been involved with cultural institutions and industry bodies. In 2016 he was appointed as a member of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). He served as a vice president of the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) and later held the vice presidency of the Bombay Art Society.

Joshi is known to support social causes and NGOs, including organisations working for people affected by leprosy and for the education of tribal students. He lists music and television among his personal interests when not working.

Latest updates
In recent years Joshi continued to appear across film industries and on television. He portrayed a political figure in the 2019 Hindi film PM Narendra Modi and remained active on stage and in cinema through the early 2020s, with film credits in Nayika Devi: The Warrior Queen (2022) and Nava Pappa (2023). He has also been publicly visible on social media and in political campaign activity.
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Recent Work

PM Narendra Modi

Portrayed a BJP politician in the 2019 Hindi film

2019
Nayika Devi: The Warrior Queen

Appeared in the Gujarati film

2022
Nava Pappa

Appeared in the Gujarati film

2023
Gunchakkar

Acted in the short film

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Early and sustained work in Gujarati and Hindi theatre, including directing and performing Chanakya
  2. Significant character roles across Hindi mainstream films and regional cinema
  3. Recipient of major theatre awards, National Award and the Padma Shri (2018)
  4. Service in cultural bodies such as ICCR and leadership roles in CINTAA and Bombay Art Society
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Manoj Joshi born?

3 September 1965

What is Manoj Joshi known for?

Theatre Artist, Actor, Film & Theatre Director

What is Manoj Joshi’s marital status?

Married

Who is Manoj Joshi married to?

Charu Joshi