Ghanshyam Dattatraya Darvade (also spelled Darode), popularly known as Chota Pudhari, is an Indian actor and political commentator from a farming family in Shrigonda, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. He is the only son to his parents - father Dattatraya Darvade and mother - after an elder sister. He grew up in a farming household with limited means, completing his early schooling at an ashram school in Ghargaon (now Srigonde, Shrigonda taluka) before continuing his Class 11 and 12 studies at Maharaja Jivajirao Shinde Mahavidyalaya, Shrigonda. He scored 51% in his Class 10 board exams and had aspirations of becoming a District Magistrate. At just 16 years of age, he made his acting debut in the Marathi film Me Yetoy… Chhota Pudhari (2018), in which he played the eponymous 'Chhota Pudhari' - a spirited, outspoken young grassroots leader - earning him the lasting public nickname. His combination of distinctive short stature (3 feet 7 inches), fearless speech, and articulate political commentary on social media also brought him to wider prominence. He subsequently actively campaigned for NCP candidate Rahul Jagtap in the Maharashtra Assembly election against sitting former minister Babanrao Pachapute; Jagtap's victory significantly boosted Ghanshyam's confidence and public profile. He regularly makes speeches on farmer suicides, Maharashtra's political situation, and youth issues. He appeared in the Marathi films Yaari and Mhanje Waghache Panje, and was involved in the film Musandi (2023). In July 2024, he entered Bigg Boss Marathi Season 5 hosted by Riteish Deshmukh. He was eliminated in Week 6 (Day 40), finishing thirteenth.
His debut in the Marathi film Me Yetoy… Chhota Pudhari (2018), for which he is widely known by the nickname 'Chota Pudhari' (meaning 'Small Leader'); his fearless public speeches supporting Maharashtra farmers and criticising state policy; his grassroots election campaigning for NCP's Rahul Jagtap against former minister Babanrao Pachapute, which resulted in Jagtap's victory; finishing thirteenth in Bigg Boss Marathi Season 5 (2024).