We all are aware about one of the most trustworthy and let’s say legendary channel DD Sahyadri and its informative show Aamchi Mati Aamchi Mansa. It’s one of the most useful and helpful shows about agriculture for the pride of our nation, our farmers. Well-known actor Somnath Mali is hosting this show very well for quite a time now. Somnath has an experience in entertainment industry for around a decade now. In this period, he has done many projects like films, plays, street plays, short plays, theatre plays, serials, short films, events, cameos. He surely made his mark; but even though he is a successful, professionally trained actor what made Somnath choose an agricultural program? Well, looks like we will have to take a sneak peek in his journey to find that out. So, let’s check out what his inspiring story tells us.
Somnath Mali a boy from Maharashta’s Osmanabad district, Marathwada. Somnath belongs to a farmer family. A simple boy who has always had an attraction towards this glamour world, this entertainment industry but in given circumstances never thought of actually achieving it. He had no idea or any prior training. When he shifted to Pune for his college education. He realised that after all entertainment industry is not limited to only star kids but anyone with a talent and passion can give it a try. So, as his passion and destiny led him, he did a Marathi Music Video. Later he got an opportunity for a play titled ‘Makdacha Lagna’ in 2008. He was auditioned and selected as Sulaiman in the play, he had a very good flair of Hindi. Even though it was a very short role but his talent brought up more and more opportunities for him with each show and each project. Somnath did few shows of this play and Later he did a play titled ‘Aabanchi Sabha’. People have loved him in the play. He was first offered to operate music for the it but his talent led him on stage as an actor in that play. Meanwhile he was doing many street plays with his group for various industries which helped him to overcome his severe stage fear. Until the 11th show of ‘Aabanchi Sabha’ Somnath was offered 7 new plays. Out of seven, four plays went on floor and gave him a really good boost as an actor and helped him to grow more.
In his next play ‘Me Jyotirao Phule Boltoy’ directed by Siddharth More, he got an opportunity to play two completely opposite characters. And as for the token of appreciation for his brilliant performance he even won a trophy from director himself. Apart from this he has won appreciation awards for short plays like ‘Fixingcha Ramayan’, ‘Choravar Mor’ in Vinod Uttam Karandak. Somnath did his television debut with episodic serial ‘Shirpya Aala Re’ for DD Sahyadri channel. His other episodic serials include Asmita and Lakshya. And his daily soaps include Dil Dosti Duniyadari, Tu Maza Saangati (Rabhaji). After this he got a beautiful film ‘Hichhyasathi Kay Pan’. Somnath feels lucky to be casted with legendary actors like Late Vijay Chavan, Nirmitee Sawant, Kushal Badrike, Bharat Ganeshpure, Bhargavi Chirmuley, Mangesh Desai in this film. He feels blessed he could watch these legends work closely, he especially admires Late actor Vijay Chavan’s comedy timing and warm behaviour towards new actors. Simultaneously he was doing a film ‘Vartamaan’ with Subodh Bhave, Tejaswini Pandit and Avataar Gill. He was doing 4 films as a lead at the same time. Unfortunately, 3 of them couldn’t go on floor but Somnath never stopped working.
He is a trained actor from Maharashtra School of Drama (MSD). During this capsule course he got a chance to learn from Prasad Vanarse, Yogesh Soman, Abhiram Bhadkamkar, Padmashree Ram Gopal Bajaj, Milind Inamdar, Arvind Pande, etc. Later he attended FTII’s Skill India course. Here Siddharth Shasta taught many things about veteran artists and acting craft and this gave a new perspective which helped Somnath shape as an actor.
He belongs to a farmer family and he is very much connected to the agriculture field not only by emotions but by his work too. He works actively with any programs and activities of Agriculture department and forest department for the betterment of agriculture. He has hosted and managed a complete series of programs for Kharif crops season last year through DD Sahyadri. When he was offered Aamchi Mati Aamchi Mansa as a host he was nervous first but he accepted the show because of his love and strong devotion towards the agriculture filed and he wants to help to spread awareness amongst all the farmers about new advanced farming technologies/techniques. As smartphones and internet has already reached in small villages as well Somnath keeps trying to educate villagers and farmers regarding advanced agriculture for everyone’s betterment. He has even written a beautiful program titled ‘Shashvat Sheti’ regarding it.
He has recently started a new production house with his two friends and many new projects are in the pipeline. Somnath has surely inspired us with his journey from nothing to everything. Well, that’s not all. There is many more to learn about him. We heartily congratulate him for his journey so far and salute him for his contribution to the betterment of our farmers and society.
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