Why Did Ashok Saraf Call Off His Engagement? Later Went On To Marry 18-Year Younger, Nivedita Joshi

Many people recognise Ashok Saraf as the face of the popular TV show, Hum Paanch. Yes, he played the role of Anand Mathur in the show and gained a lot of love from the audience. But do you know, he is one of the most prominent actors in the Marathi film industry? Yes, such is Ashok’s fame that he is referred to as ‘Mahanayak’, ‘Ashok Samrat’, and ‘Mama’ in the Marathi film industry.

Apart from Marathi films, Ashok has carved out a name for himself in the Hindi film industry as well. Films like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Koyla, Gupt, Yes Boss, Karan Arjun, Singham, and Ashok gained huge popularity in Bollywood too. Not just his professional life, but Ashok Saraf’s personal life too gained a lot of attention, especially his marriage to 18-year-younger Nivedita Joshi. However, before being married to Nivedita, Ashok was engaged to Marathi actress, Ranjana Deshmukh.

Why was Ashok Saraf and Ranjana Deshmukh’s engagement called off?

Just like Ashok Saraf, Ranjana Deshmukh too was a popular name in Marathi cinema in the late 70s and 80s. Ranjana did many acclaimed films and was also a recipient of the Maharashtra State Award before tragedy struck her life. While she was travelling to Bangalore to shoot her film, Jhanjhaar, Ranjana was involved in an accident in 1987.

The accident was so gruesome that it left the actress paralysed and in a wheelchair. The accident left Ranjana with permanent disability and also ended her career. Ranjana and Ashok were deeply in love and engaged to be married. But after her accident, the couple called off their engagement. On March 3, 2000, Ranjana passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Ashok Saraf fell in love with an 18-year-younger Nivedita Joshi

Ashok Saraf is a leading name in the world of theatre, and while performing a play, he met Nivedita Joshi. Soon they turned friends and eventually fell in love with each other. However, Nivedita was 18 years younger than Ashok, which became a hindrance to their relationship. The couple wanted to get married, but they faced opposition from her family, who didn’t approve of their large age gap. Not only that, but Nivedita’s parents also didn’t approve of Ashok’s profession, as it wasn’t considered a stable job.

Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Joshi’s decades-long marriage

Amid Nivedita’s parents’ refusal to the marriage, her sister, Meenal, came out in support of the couple. Meenal convinced their parents, and the duo got married. In the year 1990, Nivedita and Ashok got married in an intimate ceremony at a temple in Goa. Ashok was 43 when he got married to 25-year-old Nivedita. The couple welcomed a son, Aniket Saraf, who is now a well-known pastry chef.

Who is Ashok Saraf’s wife, Nivedita?

Ashok Saraf is a leading name in the Marathi film industry and has delivered spectacular performances in films like Ek Daav Bhutacha, Dhum Dhadaka, Gammat Jammat, Bhutacha Bhau, Balache Baap Brahmachari, Gharoba, and many more. Just like him, his wife, Nivedita, too had made a name for herself in the Marathi film industry. She proved her acting chops with films like Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi, Thartharat, Pheka Pheki, and many others. Apart from acting, she has her own YouTube channel for cooking.

What do you think about Ashok Saraf and Nivedita Joshi’s ‘unconventional’ love story?

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