Makarand Deshpande is an Indian actor, writer, and director. He has worked in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil movies, as well as Indian theater. He usually plays important roles in films like Jungle, Sarfarosh, Swades, Makdee, Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap, and Darna Zaroori Hai, where he acts as a drunkard, wayfarer, and comic character. He has also directed five films.
In theater, he has contributed to over 50 short plays and 40 full-length plays. Some of his famous plays include Sir Sir Sirla, Joke, Maa In Transit, Krishna Kidding, and Shakepearcha Mhatara. His recent play, Patni, with Niladri Kumar, has been successful nationwide. He started his theater journey in 1990 at Prithvi Theatre with support from Sanjana Kapoor. In 1993, he founded Ansh Theatre Group along with Kay Kay Menon.
Makarand Deshpande is known for his role in the Kannada film series Dandupalya. He is also making his debut in an English-language film titled Monkey Man, directed by Dev Patel, which is set to release in 2024.
In addition to his work in films and theater, he has appeared in various television shows, including Circus, Devta, Filmi Chakkar, Waqt Ki Raftaar, Sailaab, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Asmita, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Vikram Betaal Ki Rahasya Gatha, and Maharashtracha Superstar 2 as a judge.