Dinesh Thakur – Hindi theatre director and actor who played ex-flame in ‘Anubhav’ and ‘Rajnigandha’

Dinesh Thakur (1947 – 2012) was a theatre director and actor associated with Hindi entertainment world. He was a stage actor and played brief but notable character roles in Bollywood movies and television serials. His brief role as Ad filmmaker Navin, Vidya Sinha’s ex-boyfriend in Rajnigandha and also Tanuja’s ex-flame in Abubhav, both released in the 1970s. He wrote the story and screenplay of Ghar (1978), which won him Filmfare Best Story Award. He also played a character role in the film. He established ‘Ank Theatre Group’ in 1976 and staged Hindi plays in Mumbai.

Dinesh Thakur completed his education in Delhi. During his college days at Kirori Mal College he was active in college theater group. In 1971 he marked his screen debut with Gulzar’s Mere Apne (1971) in a supporting role, and continued with character roles throughout his career. It was followed by Anubhav (1971) and Jalte Badan (1973). As an actor he was first noticed through Rajnigandha. He also scripted films in the 1970s and later. Yet he was most involved with theater and established ‘Ank Theatre Group’.

Some of his popular other character roles are Kalicharan, Karm, Raj Dulari, The burning train, Griha Pravesh etc. He was a part of early TV shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Shanti. Fiza, Dil Pardesi Ho Gaya etc are some of his Bollywood character roles after year 2000. He died of kidney failure aged 65.

Dinesh Thakur – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. One of his early theater productions – ‘Jis Lahore Nahi Dekhya’ is still popular and staged occasionally.

2. The popular Mukesh song of Rajnigandha – Kai Baar Yuhi Dekha was filmed on Vidya Sinha and Dinesh Thakur.

3. He played character roles in many movies directed by Basu Chatterjee and Gulzar.

4. His wife Priya Mathur is an actress.

5. In 2017 Bikaner Theater festival was dedicated to Dinesh Thakur.