Dhananjay Mane
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| Dhananjay Mane | |
|---|---|
| Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi character | |
.jpg) Ashok Saraf as Dhananjay Mane | |
| First appearance |
|
| Created by | Vasant Sabnis Sachin Pilgaonkar V. Shantaram[1] |
| Portrayed by | Ashok Saraf |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Salesman |
| Family | Shantanu Mane (younger brother) |
| Spouse | Madhuri (real) Parvati Mane (fake) |
| Home | Pashan road |
| Nationality | Indian |
Dhananjay Mane (Marathi: [d̪ʰə.ˈn̪ən̪.d͡ʒəj ˈmaː.ɳe]) is a fictional character from the 1988 Marathi film Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi, portrayed by Ashok Saraf. He works as a salesman in a cosmetics store in Pune and is secretly in love with his modern employer, Madhuri, portrayed by Ashwini Bhave. He faces humorous challenges while living with his thrifty landlord, Vishwasrao Sarpotdar (portrayed by Sudhir Joshi), and hosting his unemployed friends. The character is developed by Sachin Pilgaonkar, Vasant Sabnis, and V. Shantaram, which aims to be a protagonist who faces the daily struggles of a common man. The last name "Mane" is taken from Shantaram's chartered accountant, Kisan Mane. Portrayed with depth and humour by Saraf, the character has become a widely loved character in Marathi cinema, depicting the struggles of unemployment and lack of economic stability.
Dhananjay Mane is a street-smart salesman working in a Pune cosmetics store, harbouring a secret crush for his boss, Madhuri. Living with his frugal landlord, Mr. Sarpotdar, Dhananjay is joined by his brother Shantanu, a medical student. They secretly host their childhood friends, Sudhir and Parshya, who are struggling to find work. After a drunken confrontation with Sarpotdar, they face eviction and desperately seek new housing.
They find an elderly widow, Leelabai, who offers rooms but insists they must be married couples. To comply, Dhananjay and Shantanu persuade Sudhir and Parshya to dress as women, creating comedic chaos. As they settle in, romantic entanglements unfold: Sudhir falls for Leelabai's niece, Manisha, while Shantanu concocts a story to appease his girlfriend Sushma.
Their deception is threatened when Tanu, Leelabai's servant, uncovers their secret. After a series of misunderstandings and confrontations, Leelabai ultimately accepts the friends as her own sons, recognizing their intentions were pure. The film concludes with joyous marriages and a heartfelt family photo, celebrating their newfound bonds.