From the early 1980s, Saraf started getting cast as the leading hero in Marathi films. The combination of Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Mahesh Kothare created the "comedy films wave" in Marathi cinema from 1985 that lasted for more than a decade. His successful Marathi films as the lead hero include "Ek Daav Bhutacha", "Dhoom Dhadaka", "Gammat Jammat", "Ashi hi Banava Banavi" and "Vazir". Saraf has also starred in television serials like "Yeh Choti Badi Baatein" and "Hum Paanch" (as Anand Mathur).