Arvind Vaidya
Indian actor and theatre director
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arvind Gopal Vaidya (born 1940 or 1941) is an Indian actor and director in Gujarati theatre and Hindi television.
1940 or 1941 (age 85–86)
Arvind Vaidya | |
|---|---|
| Born | Arvind Gopal Vaidya 1940 or 1941 (age 85–86) |
| Occupations | Actor, director |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Known for | Anupamaa, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Khichdi |
| Children | 2 including Vandana Pathak |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2026) |
In January 2026, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contributions to the performing arts over a career spanning more than six decades.[1]
Early life and education
Vaidya was born in 1940 or 1941 into a Marathi family. Despite not knowing the Gujarati language, he began working in Gujarati theatre. He credits Jashwant Thaker, an initial member of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), as his mentor. Thaker assisted him in mastering the Gujarati language and the nuances of performance.[1]
Career
Vaidya's career began in theatre; his directorial debut was the play Paritran in 1967. Over sixty years, he has directed more than 200 plays and appeared in over 100 television series. He is also the founder of the acting institute Natya Sampada, where he teaches acting techniques.[1]
He gained widespread popularity for his work in comedy TV series such as Khichdi and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Since 2020, he has been widely recognized for his portrayal of Hasmukh "Bapuji" Shah in the drama series Anupamaa.[1]
In January 2026, he was conferred with the Padma Shri.[2]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Right Yaaa Wrong | Police chief | |
| 2010 | Khichdi: The Movie | Chandrakant Seth | Hansa's father |
| 2015 | Maal Kiska Kamal Kiska | Director |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–2004 | Khichdi | Chandrakant Seth | Recurring role |
| 2004–2006 | Sarabhai vs Sarabhai | Madhusudan Bhai ("Fufa") | Recurring role |
| 2005 | Instant Khichdi | Chandrakant Seth | Hansa's father |
| 2017 | Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Take 2 | Madhusudan Bhai | Madhu Fufa |
| 2018 | Khichdi | Chandrakant Seth | Hansa's father |
| 2020–present | Anupamaa | Hasmukh "Bapuji" Shah | Main cast[3] |
Personal life
Vaidya has a son who lives in Atlanta, United States. His daughter, Vandana Pathak, is also a noted actress. He currently resides in India, where he remains active in the television industry.[1]
