Gajendra Ahire

Gajendra Vitthal Ahire is an Indian Marathi film maker and screenwriter. He is noted for his work in Marathi cinema, theater, and television. He won the Silver Lotus Award at the 51st National Film Awards for his debut film Not Only Mrs. Raut in 2003, and National award for the Best Feature Film in Marathi for Shevri in 2006. He has also worked as a television screenwriter for programs such as Shrimaan-Shrimati.

He is highly active in theater field for which he has been recognized by Government of India, Government of Maharashtra and various Institutions across India and abroad for thirty years.

Personal life
Gajendra Ahire was born on February 16, 1969, in Nashik was brought up in Mumbai. He is married to Marathi cinema actress Vrinda Ahire, with whom he has a son.

Career
He began his career as a playwright at the age of 23. His first play was Aaicha Ghar Unhacha in which he also worked as an actor. After that, he wrote plays like Unch Maza Jhoka Ga, Ek Diwas Yeilach, and Janmasiddha. After 20 years of working in Marathi Cinema, he returned to theater with Shevgyachya Shenga.

After his initial plays, he moved to television and wrote more than 2000 episodes for Hindi and Marathi TV Serials. Out of which Shrimaan Shrimati of Balaji Telefilms is one of his notable works.

Later, he began directing films and appearing in several significant roles in Marathi Feature Films. His first movie was 2002's ' Krishna Katachi Mira' which was not released. However, this movie won 3 Maharashtra State Film Awards for Best Actress, Best Singer (Male) and Best Singer (Female). His first released film was 'Not Only Mrs. Raut' which won numerous awards including Silver Lotus Award and Maharashtra State Film Award.

He also has contributed as Music Director for his NYIFF award-winning film, Anumati.

In 2019, Gajendra Ahire directed his 50th film Kulkarni Chaukatla Deshpande, a drama starring Sai Tamhankar in titular role.

Filmfare Awards 2014 (Marathi)

 * 2015 - CRITICS' BEST FILM - Shared with Paresh Mokashi (Elizabeth Ekadashi)  for  Postcard

Stuttgart Indian Film Festival

 * 2015 - The Director's Vision Award for 'The Silence'

National Film Awards

 * 2007 - Best Feature Film in Marathi Shevri

Silver Lotus Awards

 * 2003 - Not Only Mrs. Raut
 * 2006 - Shevri

Maharashtra State Film Awards

 * 17 awards in total for film, writing, direction, lyrics, dialogues
 * Best Director to handle 'Social Subject'
 * Best Director to handle 'Rural Subject'

New York Indian Film Festival [Nyiff]

 * 2013 - 'Anumati' awarded Best Feature Film

Mama Varerkar Smriti Award

 * 1994 Marathi Play ' Aaicha Ghar Unhacha'