Abhijat Joshi

Abhijat Joshi
Born 1 December 1969
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Nationality Indian
Occupation Writer, producer, director
Relatives Saumya Joshi (younger brother)

Abhijat Joshi (born 1969)[1] is an Indian academic and screenwriter particularly known for his work with Vinod Chopra Productions, as the screenwriter for Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006),3 Idiots (2009), and PK (2014). He is a professor of English at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio since 2003.[2][3][4]

Early life and education

Born and brought up at Ahmedabad,[5] Gujarat to family of professors, including his father Jayant Joshi. Abhijat received his early education in Gujarati medium. He obtained his higher education and qualifications from shri H.K.Arts College,(With Bagal thela group) Gujarat University. After doing his M.A. (English) with distinction.

He received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Texas, Austin.[3] Apart from English, he can fluently read, write and speak Gujarati language as he was born and brought up amidst Gujarati speaking people.

Career

He studied in one of the very reputable Gujarati school named Shree Vidyanagar High School in Ahmedabad where he took part in the annual competitions for Gujarati dramas in the school. He won multiple awards as he himself is really a good actor. He enjoyed playing cricket. He joined C.U. Shah Arts College situated in western part of Ahmedabad city, as a professor of English for a while before moving to US for his MFA degree. Writing stories and plays was his passion from his childhood. He penned number of plays, skits in Gujarati and English languages.

Apart from teaching, he was also involved in theatre activities. His younger brother Saumya Joshi was also professor and is now theatre personality. His father and mother also were professors. During 1992 Gujarat riots, he wrote a theatre production, "A Shaft of Sunlight", which was critically acclaimed; subsequently director Vidhu Vinod Chopra saw the play, which led to them working together in films, Kareeb and Mission Kashmir.[4] A UK based Tamasha Theatre Company in collaboration with Greenwich Repertory Company performed more than 300 Shows, later the play was also adapted in Gujarati as "Marmbhed"[6]

Like his father Jayant Joshi, who is a Sane Guruji (noted Marathi social reformer Pandurang Sadashiv Sane) scholar, Abhijat was deeply influenced by Sane Guruji. His father drew his attention to the profound concept of dharma as Sane Guruji saw it. All these readings have helped him immensely in writing stories.

He has been working on the script of the third film of Munnabhai trilogy, Munnabhai Chale Amerika and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Hollywood flick Broken Horses.[7][8]

Personal life

He lives in central Ohio, where he teaches at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. He is married, and has one daughter.[1]

Works

Select filmography

Year Film Role(s)
2016 Wazir Writer
2015 Broken Horses Writer
2014 PK Writer
2012 Nanban Writer (Tamil)
2009 3 Idiots Writer
2007 Eklavya: The Royal Guard Writer, producer
2006 Lage Raho Munna Bhai Writer
2000 Mission Kashmir Writer
1998 Kareeb Writer

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 "Otterbein professor writes for Indian film". The Columbus Dispatch. 16 January 2010.
  2. ↑ Faculty Otterbein College.
  3. 1 2 "Abhijat: why should joy vanish from studies?". Mumbai Mirror, The Times of India. 17 January 2010.
  4. 1 2 Sahu, Deepika (8 March 2007). "Lage Raho Abhijat!". The Times of India.
  5. ↑ "Abhijat Joshi made 'Gandhigiri' part of India's social lexicon". The Economic Times. 17 January 2010.
  6. ↑ Ahmedabad Theatre Group: 'Marmbhed' – A play written by Abhijat Joshi
  7. ↑ "I'm taking long drives with Raju for the next script". The Economic Times. 17 January 2010.
  8. ↑ "It's a benchmark award: After the Best Screenplay award..". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 22 June 2008.

External links

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