Mahesh Vaman Manjrekar is an Indian film director, actor, writer and producer. He is credited with directing the critically acclaimed films Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Astitva (2000) and Viruddh... Family Comes First (2005). He has won a National Film Award and two Star Screen Awards. Besides direction, he has acted in several films, including some of his own productions. This maharashtrian actor was first seen in Door darshan Marathi series named Kshitij in which he played the role of leprosy patient. He first gained acclaim as an actor for his performance in the 2002 film Kaante, and later played negative roles in the Telugu film Okkadunnadu (2007) and as the gangster Javed in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). He played the role of Shivaji Maharaj in Marathi film Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy. He also played the role of Harpist Dongara in the Aakhri Chunauti series of episodes in C.I.D.. Manjrekar was acclaimed for the negative role as inspector D.R. Talpade in the movie Wanted starring superstar Salman Khan.
