Ashutosh Gowariker (Marathi: आशुतोष गोवारीकर) is an Indian actor, director, writer, and producer.
Ashutosh Gowariker started his career as an actor, making his debut in 1984 in director Ketan Mehta's movie, Holi. He then acted in several television serials, including Kachchi Dhoop (1987), Circus (1989), C.I.D. (1999) and several films, including Naam (1986), Chamatkar (1992), and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993).
The 1993 movie, Pehla Nasha marked his directorial debut (it was inspired by Brian De Palma's Hollywood movie, Body Double). It proved to be a box office failure. His second directorial movie, Baazi (1995) starring Aamir Khan was a "below average" grosser at the box office. Ashutosh also acted in a weekly horror show "Woh", telecasted on Zee TV, which was critically acclaimed.
In 2001, Ashutosh directed the period epic movie, Lagaan starring Aamir Khan, (the latter also being the movie's producer). Lagaan received critical acclaim and nomination for an Oscar Academy Award in USA for Best Foreign Language Film. It ranked third among 2001's Indian movies in terms of gross revenue.
In 2004, Ashutosh directed Swades, starring Shahrukh Khan. Swades received high critical acclaim, and also much popularity overseas, but it did not do well at the box office in India..
Ashutosh is known as an "actor's director". Thus far (by 2007), all of his male stars have won the Filmfare Best Actor Award or the Critics Best Actor Award.
Ashutosh's latest directorial work, Jodhaa Akbar, a period movie starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, was released on February 15, 2008 to much popular and critical acclaim.
