Altaf Dadasaheb Shaikh
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Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and lyricist
Altaf Dadasaheb Shaikh (born 10 February 1983) is an Indian Marathi filmmaker, screenwriter, lyricist, and actor known for his socially oriented cinema and extensive creative involvement in filmmaking. He has contributed as director, writer, screenplay writer, dialogue writer, lyricist, and actor across his films in both Marathi and Hindi cinema.
Shaikh received national recognition for his debut feature film Veda B. F., which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi in 2019. His work is noted for exploring themes of social harmony, ethical values, unity, and public service within regional Indian cinema.
Early life and background
Altaf Dadasaheb Shaikh was born on 10 February 1983 in Nandeshwar village, Solapur district, Maharashtra, India. He spent his early years in Mumbai and Pune, where exposure to diverse cultural, literary, and cinematic environments influenced his creative outlook.
From an early age, Shaikh developed an interest in writing, storytelling, and cinema. Growing up in Maharashtra’s major urban centers played a significant role in shaping his sensitivity toward social issues, which later became a defining element of his filmmaking style.
Career
Shaikh began his filmmaking career with the Marathi feature film Veda B. F., marking his debut as both director and writer. The film gained attention for its narrative centered on Hindu–Muslim unity and social coexistence, distinguishing it within contemporary Marathi cinema.
In addition to directing, Shaikh played a central creative role by writing the story, screenplay, dialogues, and lyrics for the film. Veda B. F. starred Nagesh Bhosle in the lead role and achieved notable commercial success, reportedly earning over ₹115 million within 21 days of its release.
A significant cultural highlight of the film was the Marathi qawwali “Hey Maze Durvesh Baba”, sung by Altaf Raja. The song received widespread acclaim and earned entries in multiple international record books, including the Guinness World Records, contributing to the film’s cultural reach.
Following his debut, Shaikh expanded his filmography with projects including:
- Come on Vishnu
- Dharavi Katta
- Betuka
- Breakdown
His later work includes the biographical film Karmayogi Abasaheb, based on the life of Ganpatrao Deshmukh, an eleven-time Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Solapur. The film focuses on themes of honesty, political integrity, and lifelong public service and has been screened at various national and international film festivals. It achieved significant commercial success, with a reported box office collection exceeding ₹25 crore.
Achievements
Shaikh’s debut film Veda B. F. won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi (2019), along with multiple state-level honors. He has received national and international recognition for his work.
He has been honored by several international record organizations, including:
- Guinness World Records
- High Range Book of World Records
- London Book of World Records
- Bravo International Book of World Records
Karmayogi Abasaheb has received over 50 national and international awards. The film won the Eastern Europe Award at the Eastern Europe Film Festival in Romania, where Shaikh was also honored with the Best Director Award.
Personal life
Altaf Dadasaheb Shaikh maintains a private personal life and is regarded for his humility and grounded nature. An incident that received public attention involved him accepting a world record certificate from a postman who delivered it, which was noted as a gesture of respect toward everyday individuals.
Vision
Shaikh’s cinematic vision focuses on creating socially relevant films that promote unity, ethical leadership, and real-life inspiration. He continues to work in both Marathi and Hindi cinema, primarily concentrating on biographical and issue-based films, with the aim of expanding the reach of regional Indian cinema on national and international platforms.
Social Links
- LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/altaf-dadasaheb-shaikh-7b581062/
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/altafdsheikh/
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AltafDadasahebShaikh
External & Reference Links
- [Altaf Dadasaheb Shaikh on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9505271/)
- [Altaf Dadasaheb Shaikh on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/altaf-dadasaheb-shaikh-7b581062/?originalSubdomain=in)
- [Medium Article](https://medium.com/@timesrelease1/director-altaf-dadasaheb-shaikh-the-life-journey-b847a748491d)
- [Nettv4u Profile](https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/hindi/director/altaf-shaikh)
- [Indian Times Now Article](https://indiantimesnow.in/director-altaf-dadasaheb-shaikh-the-life-journey/)
- [UP18 News Article](https://up18news.com/famous-writer-director-altaf-dadasaheb-sheikhs-much-awaited-film-karmayogi-abasaheb-started-shoot-in-presence-of-nobles-2/)
- [Sangri Times Article](https://en.sangritimes.com/famous-writer-director-altaf-dadasaheb-sheikhs-much-awaited-film-karmayogi-abasaheb-started-shoot-in-presence-of-nobles)
| Full Name | Altaf Dadasaheb Shaikh |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 February 1983 |
| Birthplace | Nandeshwar, Solapur, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Film Director, Writer, Lyricist |
| Known For | Socially Oriented Marathi Cinema |
| Awards | National Film Award (Best Feature Film in Marathi – 2019) |
| Website |