Arvind Gopal Vaidya (born ) is an Indian actor and director in Gujarati theatre and Hindi television.
In January 2026, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contributions to the performing arts over a career spanning more than six decades.
Early life and education Vaidya was born in into a Marathi family. Despite not knowing the Gujarati language, he began working in Gujarati theatre. He credits Jashwant Thaker, an initial member of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), as his mentor. Thaker assisted him in mastering the Gujarati language and the nuances of performance.
Career Vaidya's career began in theatre; his directorial debut was the play Paritran in 1967. Over sixty years, he has directed more than 200 plays and appeared in over 100 television series. He is also the founder of the acting institute Natya Sampada, where he teaches acting techniques.
He gained widespread popularity for his work in comedy TV series such as Khichdi and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Since 2020, he has been widely recognized for his portrayal of Hasmukh "Bapuji" Shah in the drama series Anupamaa.
In January 2026, he was conferred with the Padma Shri.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes2010Right Yaaa WrongPolice chief 2010Khichdi: The MovieChandrakant SethHansa's father2015Maal Kiska Kamal KiskaDirector
Television Year Title Role Notes 2002–2004 Khichdi Chandrakant Seth Recurring role 2004–2006 Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Madhusudan Bhai ("Fufa") Recurring role 2005 Instant Khichdi Chandrakant Seth Hansa's father 2017 Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Take 2 Madhusudan Bhai Madhu Fufa 2018 Khichdi Chandrakant Seth Hansa's father 2020–present Anupamaa Hasmukh "Bapuji" Shah Main cast
Personal life Vaidya has a son who lives in Atlanta, United States. His daughter, Vandana Pathak, is also a noted actress. He currently resides in India, where he remains active in the television industry.
Awards Padma Shri (2026)
References
External links