Ashok Banthia – Character artist of Hindi cinema

Ashok Banthia is a character artist from Bollywood cinema since 1983, best known for his roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Rudaali, Aankhein, Bedardi, Dushmani, Mission Kashmiri, Khoobsurat, Bawander, Aankhein, Rush, Mazi, Loknayak, Rush, 7 ½ Phere, Julie 2 etc. He is also a television and theater artist also known for playing Nawab of Pataudi Sr in Australian TV series Bodyline. He is a graduate of National School of Drama, Delhi and has appeared in stage plays – Chanakya, Mohenjo-daro, The Last Train and Chanakyashashtra after year 2000.

Ashok Banthia was born into a traditional business family of Udaipur, Rajasthan. Instead of joining family business, he took Diploma in theater and dramatics from Chandigarh’s Punjab University. Then he enrolled at NSD to pursue a career in the field of acting. After his diploma course at NSD, he studied direction in National Institute of Dramatics Arts, Sydney. Very soon he was offered to play the role of Indian cricketer Nawab Pataudi Kennedy Miller’s serial Bodyline. After that he worked in both Hindi and foreign language projects in theater, television and cinema.

Ashok Banthia – Some interesting facts

1. His name is also credited as Ashok Bathia and Ashok Bhatia.

2. He played the brief role of a News reporter in 1983 cult classic, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro. It’s his first credited role. He worked in full swing in theater, television and cinema since early 2000s.

3. He owns numerous degrees in the field of acting, dramatics and direction, which he studied from different institutes.

4. He played the role of Kritvarma in Ramanand Sagar’s Mahabharat aired on Doordarshan. He was also seen in TV shows – Mahadev, Balika Vadhu and Ramayan (both 2008 and 2012 series).

5. He worked as Associate Director for TV series, Tamas directed by Govind Nihalani.

6. He has worked in many foreign films such as ‘The Peacock Spring’, ‘Indian Orchid’ etc.