Most successful child actor played young Amitabh Bachchan in Deewar, quit film industry when work dried up, moved to the US for IT job
Alankar Joshi is the brother of actor Pallavi Joshi and the brother-in-law of filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri. In a recent interview with Friday Talkies, his sister Pallavi recalled the time when they met the film's director Yash Chopra and he was cast in Deewar. 'For Deewar, my brother was called and hum Yash ji se milne gaye the (we went to meet him). I had also tagged along, I have a blurred memory of it when we went to meet on the set. The shooting had already started and Amit ji saw dada and said, 'Arey, kaise ho?' Then, he told Yash ji that give him my childhood version to play. Finally, dada was cast in Deewar and he played the younger Vijay,' she shared.
She also revealed that he had a keen eye for observation as he imbibed the veteran actor's style in his act. 'On the same day, he observed Amit ji. 'Main pheke hue paise nahi uthaata' was the first scene. He went and asked Yash ji that he was trying a knot on his shirt, can I also do the same? He said how keen you have to observe that,' she added.
ALSO READ | Four-year-old Pallavi Joshi was slapped on camera by director because she wasn't crying on cue: 'My ego was hurt, didn't want to do films'
However, Alankar's journey came to an end when he looked for acting opportunities as an adult actor. 'After he grew up, just like everyone, he also tried. But then, he realised that a journey that he lived as a child star, he won't get it as an adult actor. He got into direction and production, he is a very successful Marathi filmmaker now. But, he wasn't interested in going behind the camera,' Pallavi said.
However, even during his prime years, Alankar ensured to focus on his studies alongside, in order to create a backup career for himself. The actor went on to pursue a job in a software company. 'Then, he decided to change his line completely, he went into software programming. He went to America, did job at a software company for two years,' she shared.
The Kashmir Files actor continued, 'Afterwards, he started his own company with a friend in the US. Now, it has been 35 years since he has been there. He is doing very well, has got three kids – twin daughters and a son.' According to media reports, his net worth is now Rs 200 crore.
Both his daughters are now working as actors in the Hollywood industry and his son is quite interested in music, he is a singer. In fact, one is his daughters, Anuja Joshi, is an actor based in New York City, Los Angeles, and Mumbai. She featured in the Amazon MX Player thriller web series Hello Mini. Alankar Joshi's elder sister Padmashri is also an actor in the Marathi film industry.
In an interview with Times Now in 2024, Alankar had said, 'Fortunate to have worked with the legends of the Hindi film industry. Shared a good rapport with most and a strong bond of affection with some. To be honest, I feel like a retired sportsman who is remembered for his performances and memorable wins. Just not playing the game anymore.' In the same interview, he was also asked if he misses the showbiz limelight. 'I don't miss the limelight as much. I believe it is because I have always been adjacent to limelight,' he replied.
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