Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that brings joy and devotion to homes all over India. Lord Ganesha, also known as Vighnaharta, is worshipped for bringing success and removing obstacles. Over the years, many TV shows and serials have brought the stories of Lord Ganesha to life. The actors who have played Ganpati Bappa on screen have become popular, loved by audiences for their divine portrayals. As we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, let’s look at five TV actors who played the role of Lord Ganesha and became household names.
1. Jagesh Mukati – Shri Ganesh (2000)
Jagesh Mukati became well-known for his role as Lord Ganesha in the TV show Shri Ganesh, which aired on Sony TV in the year 2000. His portrayal of Ganpati Bappa won the hearts of many viewers. The show also starred Sunil Sharma as Lord Shiva and Gayatri Jayaraman as Parvati. Jagesh was already a popular actor in Gujarati theatre and had acted in other shows like Amita Ka Amit. Sadly, Jagesh passed away in June 2020, but his role as Ganesha is still remembered fondly.
2. Advaita Kulkarni – Deva Shri Ganesha (2020)
Advaita Kulkarni played the role of Lord Ganesha in the Marathi serial Deva Shri Ganesha, which aired in 2020. The show focused on Lord Ganesha’s miracles and stories. Although the show only ran for 11 days due to low TRPs, Advaita’s performance as Ganpati Bappa was appreciated. Even though it had a short run, the actor’s portrayal left a mark on the viewers.
3. Uzair Basar – Vighnaharta Ganesh (2017-2021)
Uzair Basar is one of the actors who played Lord Ganesha in the popular religious show Vighnaharta Ganesh, which aired on Sony TV. The show ran for 1026 episodes from 2017 to 2021. Uzair’s portrayal of young Ganpati Bappa brought him great fame. He shared the role with Nishkarsh Dixit, who also played the role of Lord Ganesha later. Other important characters in the show included Akanksha Puri as Parvati, Basant Bhatt as Kartikeya, and Nirbhay Wadhwa as Hanuman.
4. Sanjay Bhise – Jai Malhar (2014-2017)
In the Marathi serial Jai Malhar, which aired on Zee Marathi, Sanjay Bhise played the role of Lord Ganesha. This show, based on the stories of Lord Shiva, was very popular in Maharashtra. The show ran from 2014 to 2017, with 942 episodes. Sanjay Bhise’s performance as Ganpati Bappa was loved by fans, and the show also featured Devdutt Nage as Lord Shiva and Gauri Sukhtankar as Parvati.
5. Swaraj Yewale – Ganpati Bappa Morya (2015)
Ganpati Bappa Morya was another hit Marathi show, which aired in 2015 and focused on the bond between Goddess Parvati and her son, Lord Ganesha. Swaraj Yewale played the role of Ganpati Bappa, and his performance was widely praised. The show became very famous, and a total of 539 episodes were telecasted.
In addition to these shows, Ganesh Leela was another well-loved TV serial based on the stories of Lord Ganesha. Akash Nair played the role of Ganpati Bappa in this show that aired in 2009. All these actors have made a lasting impression with their portrayal of the beloved elephant-headed deity, making them favorites in every household.
