While last night surfing the Internet and looking for first-class entertainment I suddenly came across the series named Mr. Yogi and binged watched it, some of which few low-quality episodes were available, courtesy to a fan with a deep nostalgia for the glory years of Doordarshan and a better sense of archiving serial episodes than the employees at the national broadcaster. I am very disappointed by the way Doordarshan has archived its old glorious memories.
The episodes provide a glimpse into Mehta’s witty script and Gokhale’s skill for low-key comedy. Om Puri is present too, playing both the twinkly-eyed narrator and a series of characters whom Yogi meets during his quest for the perfect bride.
While binge-watching Mr. Yogi (Mohan Gokhale sir) on youtube, my childhood memories flashed in my subconscious because it's hard to forget the eye-catching actor from Ketan Mehta’s popular television serial.
I remember watching Mr. Yogi's serial in 1996-97 when as, kids we were allowed to watch television collectively (with the neighbor kids once a week, on Sunday, as watching serials or anything on television needed a parental observation, at that time). At that time I also remember the serial review system of our parents be like (ye actor to thik serial karta hai isko dekh sakte ho).
The story of Mr. Yogi was just of a simple MBA student, returned from America, Yogesh Ishwarlal Patel (a. k. a. Y. I. Patel or Mr. Yogi), who meets 12 girls on the count of the zodiac sign and tries to select one of them as his bride in India and having an American Indian culture he used to call his parents “Father” and “Mother” and says “You know”, “Oh yeah” and “Boy oh boy” a lot but also possesses a sterling quality – he refuses to ask for a dowry. where Om Puri narrated the story. The story revolves around Yogi and his search for a perfect bride.
I remember the sad news in 1999 that he passed away, ever since I forget about him but yesterday when I saw him on youtube, it pressed something inside me and gist to learn more about him, who he was, his other serials because a simple man with such a versatile effect on your mind can’t keep you controlled.
Mohan Gokhale Sir was born in Pune, Maharashtra on November 7, 1953, in an artistic family. He was the younger son of an acclaimed theatre artist and actor Chandrakant Gokhale. Acclaimed theatre artist cum film actor Vikram Gokhale is his elder brother.
He was associated with theatre since his younger days which later provided him with the platform to explore his acting talent. Ketan Mehta met Gokhale sir while studying direction at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. Gokhale sir had already built a reputation on the stage in Pune. He had also appeared in films that FTII students were required to make during their course.
He appeared in a series of acclaimed plays, including Ghashiram Kotwal, Mahapoor, and Doctor Tumhi Suddha, and debuted on television in Shwetambara. Roles in television shows followed, which in turn led to Hindi and Marathi films in the 1980s. He has acted in many films in Marathi and Hindi, including Hech Maze Maher and Mirch Masala. He even acted in Bharat Ek Khoj in various roles. He also played the role of Mahatma Gandhi in Jabbar Patel’s biopic on Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Mohan Gokhale was shooting for Kamal Haasan’s Hey Ram in Chennai on April 29, 1999, when he died in his sleep from a heart attack. He was then 45.
Now, he has been survived by his wife Marathi actress Shubhangi Gokhale and the two kids who are also active in acting and following the family legacy.
After so many years passed, seeing what you have seen while growing up days and taking a peek in the life of your loved artist has an altogether mixed amazing feeling, curious and sad at the same time seeing such an amazing actor gone.
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