The first time I saw him in the iconic soap opera “Shanti,” where he played the role of the 60-year-old Kamesh Mahadevan so convincingly that people used to think that Yatin Karyekar was really an old man, he was only 30 years old at the time. Despite being one of the finest actors in films and TV, he remained underrated and underutilised by the film industry. His most famous film roles were perhaps in Munna Bhai MBBS as “Anand Benerjee” and Krishna Bhatt in Bajirao Mastani.
Early Life and Education
Yatin Karyekar was born on July 1, 1966, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. His mother, Jyotsna Karyekar, was a veteran television actress who played his on-screen mother in Shanti (1994). His maternal aunt, Sulabha Deshpande, was a revered figure in Indian theatre and cinema. He has two brothers, Prafulla Karyekar and Dr. Chetan Karyekar. Yatin grew up in Mumbai, immersed in a family with strong artistic ties.
Yatin went to King George School, Dadar, Mumbai for his schooling. He then went to D. G. Ruparel College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai and
Kirti M. Doongursee College, Mumbai. Yatin also attended Bhonsala Military School in Nashik after college studies.
Yatin Karyekar In Films
Karyekar’s career spans over three decades, starting with his debut in the film Sai Paranjpye’s “Katha” in 1983. but his roles in films are far and few, like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Sarkarnama (1998), Hanuman (1998), and Hey Ram (2000).
He started getting roles after his memorable role in Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003). He has since become a familiar face in Hindi cinema, known for his ability to slip into any character with ease. His notable works include Iqbal (2005), Kalyug (2005), Alag (2006), Karthik Calling Karthik (2010), Bajirao Mastani (2015), and many more.
Yatin Karyekar On TV
Karyekar started his TV journey with “Byomkesh Bakshi” in 1993. His breakthrough came with the soap opera Shanti (1994), where he played the role of Kamesh Mahadevan, an old business tycoon with a dark past. His performance as an old man was widely praised and even compared with Sanjeev Kumar and Anupam Kher’s performances in Aandhi and Saransh in terms of believability. In the serial, his wife, Iravati Harshe, played the role of his daughter.
After Shanti, he went on to do many serials like Satya (1996), Chattaan (1997), Roshni, Commando, Mrityudand, Saturday Suspense (1997), X Zone (1999), Mehndi Tere Naam Ki (2000), Kabhie Kabhie (2003), Pancham (2004), Risshton Ki Dor (2006), Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyaan (2006), Bhabhi (2007), Raja Shivchhatrapati (2007), Asmita (2014), Swarajya Saudamini Tararani (2021), and Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si (2023).
Personal Life
Karyekar married television actress Iravati Harshe, but the couple later divorced. As of 2024, Karyekar continues to be active in the industry, with recent appearances in Tamil and Telugu films, as well as the Marathi film ‘Lek Asavi Tar Ashi’.
Yatin Karyekar on IMDB
