Salil Ankola, born on March 1, 1968, and a resident of Solapur in Maharashtra is a former Indian International cricketer who played one Test match and twenty One Day Internationals from 1989 to 1997 for India. He was a first-class cricketer for Maharashtra who commenced the bowling. His excellent performances landed him in the Indian ODI team during 1993. But being a poor fielder he was removed. At the age of 28, Ankola entered the Indian television industry.
He made his cinematic debut in the movie, Kurukshetra in 2000. He played the role of a cop accompanying the senior officer played by,
Sanjay Dutt
. “Pitaah” was the next release in 2002 and later was “Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne” in 2003. “Silence Please...The Dressing Room” counts among the films he has starred in.
The small screen welcomed him in the show “
Kehta Hai Dil
” from 2002 where he played the role of special investigation officer Shakti Singh Rana. The show spirals around the character Karishma and how she handles difficult situations in her life.
His second show was “
Karam Apnaa Apnaa
” from August 29, 2006 as Mahen Kapoor. The story is about a girl, Gauri who is asked to marry the guy chosen by Mahen, her father’s best friend. Ankola appeared in
Bigg Boss
during his contract period with Balaji Telefilms which affected his career a lot.
Ankola was casted in the
CID Special Bureau
show as Senior Inspector from 11 March 2004. He says, “I played Special Investigation Officer in Kehta Hai Dil and co-incidentally I am playing it again in CID Special Bureau.”
“Ssshhhh...Koi Hai”, an Indian thriller television show began on 27 July, 2001. Salil Ankola played the role of Vikraal, a ghost exterminator, in this spooky series. “Vikraal Aur Gabraal” is an extension of this series, where Vikraal, played by Salil Ankola, teaches Gabraal to catch ghosts.
Thus, Salil Ankola played varying roles during his career and continues to be counted among the finest jewels of the Indian television industry.