Laxman Utekar is a filmmaker and cinematographer, who has predominantly worked in Hindi and Marathi film industry. He began his career as a cinematographer in Hindi cinema in 2007 with Khanna and Iyer. He then worked with the late iconic actress, Sridevi in English Vinglish and later in Dear Zindagi in 2016. Laxman made his directorial debut with the Marathi film, Tapaal in 2014.
Laxman found his true calling as a director, and while his filmography remains brief, he has directed some of the most beautiful works in the history of Indian cinema. However, his talents are not just limited to handling the camera and beautifully manipulating the scene. Laxman is also a phenomenal writer and has also dabbled in production. Nonetheless, his journey in the creative field was not easy.
Laxman Utekar’s journey in the film industry
Laxman Utekar has an immense love for the creative arts, which is evident in his beautiful work. The director, after over a decade in the industry, made his big directorial debut in the Hindi film industry with Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon starrer Luka Chuppi in 2019. The film garnered several positive reviews and also performed well at the box office, culminating in a total of Rs. 128.86 crore. Thereafter, Laxman once again prepared to hit the theatres with Kriti in the 2021 film, Mimi.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the film being released on Netflix and JioCinema (Now, JioHotstar). Nonetheless, the film became the talk of the town, with the audience showering love and appreciation on the film. Laxman switched things up for his next directorial venture, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, by casting Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan. However, the film ended up receiving mixed reactions, emerging as a sleeper hit with Rs. 115.89 at the box office, but Laxman’s biggest hit was yet to come.
Laxman Utekar directed the Rs. 800 crore blockbuster, Chhaava
While Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandana starrer, Chhaava received mixed reviews at the box office, the film ended up breaking all the records with its release in 2025. The film earned over Rs. 800 crore, marking Laxaman’s biggest hit at just six films old. The film not only became the talk of the country but also garnered immense respect for the team while also creating ample controversy on its way.
Laxman Utekar used to sell eggs at the age of six outside bars
Laxman Utekar, while among the well-known names in Indian cinema today, comes from an extremely humble beginning. The actor used to work for Rs. 2 on events like Ganesh Chaturthi before he made it big in the film industry. Laxman, in an interview with Mama’s Couch, recalled how his uncle brought him to Mumbai when he was only four years old, and he started selling eggs in front of a bar when he was six. The director even revealed that he had started a Vada Pav stand in Shivaji Park. However, it was seized by BMC.
Laxman had even worked during the Ganpati festival to earn a living. He recalled how some people would not want to get out of their cars to immerse the idol in water themselves. So he and his friends would provide the service for them. The director and his friends would charge Rs. 5 for the service and later would split their earrings equally. Before travelling in fancy cars himself, Laxman Utekar used to chase down the cars of rich people and offer to immerse their idols.
Laxman Utekar used to sweep film studios, sell popcorn and do other odd jobs in the industry
Initially, Laxman Utekar started his journey by doing some of the oddest jobs in the industry. Laxman recalled this as his first exposure to the industry and revealed that it came when he saw a job listing as a sweeper at a film studio in the newspaper. The now-famous director started working as a sweeper and had no knowledge of what was going on in the studio. The filmmaking process, narration, and crew were beyond his understanding at the time.
However, he would keep himself occupied by cleaning the washrooms and the floor of the studio. After that, Laxman Utekar would get tea for people working in the sound and editing studio, and soon things clicked for him. Laxman recalled that whatever was going on in the studio piqued his interest, and he would stay there for several days sometimes, observing every single thing they did complete enchantment.
Laxman Utekar revealed that it was since that day, that he never left the industry or looked back. In fact, he worked sincerely and with diligence while washing the cars or cleaning the toilets to ensure that he wouldn’t have to leave. He later even sold popcorn and newspapers and did other odd jobs to get by. However, his stars changed when he heard that Sahara was setting up a studio in the city.
Laxman Utekar stood at the gate of Sahara for three months before he was finally offered a job
Laxman would visit the site and stand at the gate every single day, and he continued to do so for three long months before someone finally noticed him and asked him why he had been hanging around the gate. The moment he had long been waiting for finally became a reality, and when he asked the man if he could start working the next day, the man replied to him and took him in the same day. It was that very day that Laxman decided to make a name for himself in the film industry, and he has done so beautifully, one picture at a time.
Laxman Utekar’s journey is definitely an inspiration for everyone with an ambition to succeed. What are your thoughts on his journey? Let us know.
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