Name	Sandeep Kulkarni
Height
Naionality	Indian
Date of Birth	16 November 1964
Place of Birth	Pune, India
Famous for	Acting

Sandeep Kulkarni (born Sandeep Shrikanth Kulkarni on 16 November 1964) is an actor from India who is also a painter. An actor from theatre, television, and films, his work is popular among Hindi and Marathi audience.

He has acted in three National Award willing Films, namely, "Shwaas" (2004), a film that was India's official entry to the Oscars, "Dombivali Fast" (2006) and "Traffic Signal" (2007). He has won three Maharashtra State award in the Best Actor category for Shwaas in 2004, Dombivali Fast in 2006 and Adhantari in 2005.

He won the best actor award in the Nigerian Film Festival for his critically acclaimed performance in the film, "Ek Daav Sansaracha" in 2009. His remarkable contributions were steps in the positive direction to uplift Marathi movies at an international platform.

Born in Pune, Sandeep was raised in a Maharashtrian middle class ‘Kayasth’ family by father Shrikanth Kulkarni and mother Lata Kulkarni. Though an introvert during his early schooling in Mumbai, he expressed his thoughts through the power of sketches and colours. Further on towards High School, he decided to become an 'Artist’ while envisioning graduation from the best arts school in Mumbai – Sir J. J. School of Arts.

During his journey of becoming an artist at Sir J. J. School of Arts, he was blessed with the mentorship of professors such as Prabhakar Kolte and Atul Dodia, both leading Indian painters. These mentors recognized the spark in Sandeep and helped him discover the flame of Visual Art. This nurturing and influence evolved Sandeep as a painter which eventually saw him participate in group monsoon show – a first exhibition of his work at the Jehangir Art Gallery (1986). Staying focused, eventually Sandeep completed his graduation (Bachelor of Fine Arts) from Sir J. J. School of Arts, 1986.

While pursing painting, Sandeep was also exploring acting till he met Pandit Satyadev Dubey, the much respected and admired theatre thespian. Heavily influenced and inspired by his teachings, Sandeep found himself perfectly fit to be an actor.

After intense theatre for 4 years in English, Marathi and Hindi, his career started to take shape with Television. He played varied roles such as that of a young Muslim Lawyer Salim in love with a local Muslim Girl on "9 Malabar Hill" on Zee TV, A press reporter in "Farz" on DD Metro, an underworld don who deals with drugs in "Swabhiman" on DD, A counselor in "Nyay" on DD Metro. He also played the role of a cop who solves the mystery behind an old couple refusing to accept the dead body of their son in the much talked about one hour suspense thriller such as ‘First Kill’ directed by Shriram Raghavan.

Sandeep’s career in films began with his first role in the movie 'Mammo' (1994) directed by none other than the legendary Shyam Benegal, set in the backdrop of India Pakistan Partition (1947). He was seen playing the role of an immigration officer (Apte) who tries to help the immigrant protagonist - Mammo.

He played the role of a Gangster, Shankar who chases the hero all through the plot wearing a new pair of shoes that bite and eventually hurt him in "Is Raat Ki Subaah Nahin" (1996) directed by Sudhir Mishra. His role added to the black humor of the film.

He also played the role of a Naxalite who later becomes an activist, in spite of his colleagues being caught and killed in "Hazar Chaurasi Ki Maa" (1998) directed by Goving Nihalani.

‘Shwaas - 2004’, directed by Sandip Sawant, put Sandeep’s performance under spotlight. He played the role of an oncologist who attempts to convince the grandfather of the child suffering from eye cancer to agree on a life saving surgery although he is faced with the reality of child becoming permanently blind. Sandeep's biggest compliment of his career was earned for this film when after watching the film, the legendary actor Ms. Shabana Azmi asked him if he had studied medicine. ‘Shwass’ won Sandeep numerous awards, the State Award being one of them. The film won the National Award as well. The film was India's official entry to the Oscars.

In a 2005 film, "Hazaroon Khwaishein Aisi" directed by Sudhir Mishra Sandeep played the role of a Naxal Leader ‘Probir’, involved in spreading the naxalite movement from Bengal to various parts of India.

2005 saw another feather in Sandeep's career when a played a common man from downtown (Dombivali), on the edge of busy, frustrating, unimproved and deteriorating daily lifestyle who eventually starts reacting to straighten things around him in the critically acclaimed "Dombivali Fast" directed by Nishikant Kamath.

In 2005 Sandeep also played the role of Sane Guruji, a biopic teacher, poet, freedom fighter, also known as Gandhiji of Maharashtra in "Sane Guruji." Sandeep’s career includes other series of films such as - ‘Adhantari - 2005’, ‘Maay Baap’ – 2006, Rajkaran – 2007.

"Traffic Signal - 2006’ – a national award winning film, directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, where Sandeep played the role of a NGO volunteer who is seen helping the street children.

In the Marathi film ‘Made in China - 2009’, he played the role of a young farmer who is literate and updated on technology and who challenges his Uncle, a politician who intends to bring in Special Economic zone(SEZ). 2009 also saw him enact a double role of a young businessman creating identity crisis for his wife, family and friends.

In 2009 Sandeep won the best actor award in the International Nigerian Film Festival for the film –‘Ek Daav Sansaracha’ where he plays the role of a husband with a complex due to a failed marriage, blamed impotency and his struggle to make a second marriage work.

In 2010 other Marathi films that Sandeep enacted in include – ‘Khel SaatBaracha’ and ‘Pratisaad’. Other films in the pipeline scheduled for release in 2011 include – ‘Nirvana 13’ and ‘Paranoia’ (underproduction).

Sandeep married Kanchan Naik in 1999 who has completed her Masters of Fine Arts from Sir J. J. School of Arts. They have a son named Vrundar. Sandeep has one brother named Sachin Kulkarni who is working with Merchant Navy and located in Singapore with his family.