Maharashtra State Film Awards, one of the prestigious awards of Marathi cinema, are awarded by the Government of Maharashtra to Marathi language films and artists. They were first awarded in 1963.

Ashok Saraf is an Indian actor and comedian, known for his work in Marathi and Hindi films along with theatre in both languages. Saraf has received several awards including four Filmfare Marathi Awards. He is referred to as the Mahanayak, Ashok Samrat or Mama of the Marathi film industry. In 2023, he received the Maharashtra Bhushan, the highest civilian honour in the Indian state of Maharashtra.