Who Is Rahul Solapurkar? Know All About Actor Who Stoked Row After His 'Ambedkar Was Brahmin' And 'Shivaji Maharaj Gave Bribe For Agra Escape' Remarks

Even as the row over his statement on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is yet to settle down, actor Rahul Solapurkar has sparked a fresh controversy by describing Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as a "Brahmin" in the Vedic context of gaining knowledge.

The statement has led to an uproar, with him receiving criticism from all sectors of society. Following his statement, Ambedkarite activists gathered outside Solapurkar's residence in protest, prompting heightened security and police deployment that continued for over a week to maintain order outside his house.

Solapurkar, however, expressed regret over his choice of words regarding Ambedkar, the social reformer and chief architect of India's Constitution.

What did Solapurkar actually say?

In a video that surfaced on social media on Sunday, the actor claimed that Ambedkar was born to Ramji Sakpal in a Bahujan family and was later adopted by his teacher, who gave him his surname.

"In the Vedas, it is said that a man who gains knowledge becomes a Brahmin. In that sense, Ambedkar was Brahmin because he gained knowledge," said the actor, who has appeared in several Marathi films.

NCP (SP) legislator Jitendra Awhad criticized Solapurkar over his remarks.

A few days ago, the actor also stirred controversy with his comments in a podcast about Shivaji Maharaj's great escape in 1666.

Solapurkar had claimed the iconic 17th-century warrior king escaped from Agra Fort by bribing Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's officials, not by concealing himself in a basket of sweets, as per the popular account.

Who is Rahul Solapurkar?

Known for his roles in Marathi television and movies, Solapurkar rose to fame in the Rajarshi Shahu television series as Shahu Maharaj.

Solapurkar is an actor, voice artist, and social worker, with over twenty years of experience in the film, theatre, and television industries. Born in Pune, he grew up in Shaniwar Peth and was influenced by his mother, Shubha Solapurkar, a writer, and his father, Dattatray Solapurkar, a working man. His early education was at a Marathi school, where his passion for acting blossomed. He was also influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), where he imbibed discipline and values.

Solapurkar's acting career began with children's plays, later progressing to professional theatre. He made his mark in both Marathi and Hindi films, working with actors like Laxmikant Berde and Nana Patekar. He is known for his versatile roles in films like Tharthrat and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He also gained popularity for portraying Shahu Maharaj in television series like Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu.

Besides his acting career, Solapurkar is actively involved in social causes. He gives lectures on historical figures like Shivaji Maharaj, Swami Vivekananda, and VD Savarkar, and contributes to organizations such as Sanskar Bharati and Bharat Vikas Parishad. His production company, Devashita Creation, produces musical programs and documentaries, including Vande Mataram.