News of Versatile actor Laxmikant Berde?s sad demiseon 17 Dec 04 was very unfortunate, and shocked us. He left us all very early as he had many years of acting career left in him.
Laxya started his acting career at a young age when he used to participate in plays at school and college. He took part in Konkani Samaj Ganeshotsav Mandal?s plays at Girgaum.
I personally knew LB since 1979 since his Tourtour days. He also knew me in person as well. One of my friend (Vilas Mohite) used to play flute for this drama and I used to take flute lessons from him. Those days I had seen those rehearsals and was very impressed of Laxya and Vijay Kadam's comic sense and timings.
Puru's Direction, Mangesh's voice, Vijay and Ruhi?s acting made this play a superhit. Former One act play in competition which was converted to 2 act full length play was astoundingly successful on Marathi theatre and completed hundreds of shows.
LB's whole Berde family is talented, Purushottam and Ravindra are very talented too.
During those shows famous actress Ruhi fell in love with Laxya and eventually they got married. Those days Laxya wasn?t famous and Ruhi was a distinguished actress in Hindi as well as Marathi film industry, but she didn?t mind for the knot.
Marathi film industry was in full bloom when Dada Kondke, V. Shantaram produced films during decade of 70s. But, when Dada and V. Shantaramji stopped making their movies, new powerful directors and actors were needed to come up during this period. Maharashtra Government declared tax return scheme to resurrect fading Marathi Cinema.
Sachinji, Mahesh Kotharejicame forward and made some very beautiful memorable films. To make their mission successful Ashok Saraf and LB lend their talent and support.
LB and Ashokji acted in many Marathi films made by Sachin, Mahesh Kothare, Bipin Varti. These films were hugely popular and successful as well in rural Maharashtra.
(Fortunately I myself got an opportunity to act in some Marathi films as supporting actor. I acted in ?Changu Mangu? ?Maza Pati Karodpati? and ?Gammat Jammat? as supporting actor.)
In 'Changu Mangu' due to my rough and tough looks I got a role of jail inmate who threatens Raja Gosawi in police custody. In this film Laxya and Ashok Saraf were lead heroes. Changu Mangu directed by Bipin Varti was a remake of Do Phool. Those days I once again got opportunity to be in contacts with Laxyaji.
Those were unforgettable days as I got to see those great actors from close quarters. Laxya recognized me instantly on sets, and was quite at ease talking to small time actor like me. He was very down to earth person. He sometimes used to have snacks with junior artists and he never had any reservation about it.
Those days on some occasions I had seen LB very sad on sets during breaks, but I never dared to ask him anything. However he always kept a smiling face and made people laugh.
I had seen and observed him doing dubbing in dubbing theatre, and he was a marvelous dubbing artist. The way he used to murmur, whisper voices and feeble jokes was quite remarkable and no other actor had this knack of dubbing.
I was very happy when he made it successful in Hindi films too starting from 'Maine Pyar Kiya'. The Stupendous success of MPK catapulted Laxya to stardom across the country and he became a bollywood?s distinguished comedian. His brand of comedy was different than others.
LB began his career in Marathi films and starred in blockbusters like ?Ashi Hi Banwa Banvi?, ?Thar Tharat?, ?Balache Baap Brahmachari?, ?Majha Chhakula? ?Dhoom Dhadaka?, ?Lek Chaalali Sasarla?, ?Hamaal De Dhamaal?etc before he entered in Bollywood.
I particularly liked him in Marathi film ?Ek Hota Vidushak? directed by Jabbar Patel, for this film he won critical acclaim too.
After MPK he starred in Hindi films like Saajan, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Arzoo, Saajan, Beta, 100 Daysand many other films.
Sachin Pilgaonkar, Ashok Saraf, Mahesh Kothare, Bipin Varti, Avinash Thakur were his closest friends.
His first wife Ruhi suffered from cancer and passed away. He then married Priya Arun, and they were living with two children. Since past many months he was suffering from Kidney disorder and had to undergo dialysis.
He was working on his biography ?Eka Lakshaychi Goshta? (Story of Lakshya) written by Marathi author-journalist Dilip Thakur and had recorded some audio cassettes for this book. Mr. Thakur may publish this book within next few months in 2005.
Laxya was truly a versatile actor, but he very rarely got worthy, laudable roles for which he was capable of. He was at times repetitive in his cliché roles, but those were the kind of roles he got after MPK and he was content with it. I personally feel that he definitely was having a great potential to perform wide range of characters and roles, but never got a chance to prove his worth. I would have loved to see him age gracefully and performing various roles as a character artist.
As his name suggests he earned sufficient wealth (Laxmi-kant), but he did not got chance to enjoy life at the fullest. He strived hard, struggled in his upcoming days, used to travel a lot for his Tourtour, Bighadle Swargache Daar, Shantecha Karta Chaloo Aahe and other plays. After joining Bollywood he used to work day and night, and didn?t savoured pleasures much. It is indeed very sad that he passed away at young age.
LB was indeed a very good actor, and a thorough gentleman.
I have seen him since 1979 to 1989 and found him very sincere, modest and simple person. He was never arrogant, proud, nor egoistic. He was very humble towards all including petty artist like me. He was liked by all unit crew members.
With a great respect in my heart for Laxya, I pay tribute to him.
Laxya, you will always remain alive in our hearts. We will never forget you.
