City
Epaper

Devendra Fadnavis reveals how Anil Kapoor's Nayak gets him to trouble: 'People say be like Nayak'

By IANS | Updated: October 7, 2025 16:25 IST

Mumbai, Oct 7 Addressing the 25th edition of FICCI Frames, Asia’s leading media and entertainment summit, Maharashtra Chief ...

Open in App

Mumbai, Oct 7 Addressing the 25th edition of FICCI Frames, Asia’s leading media and entertainment summit, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed to Akshay Kumar that Anil Kapoor's 2001 political drama "Nayak" left a lasting impression on him.

When Akshay asked the CM if any Bollywood film had inspired his political journey, Chief Minister Fadnavis disclosed, “Films don’t necessarily shape us as leaders, but they influence our emotions and empathy, our human side. There are several films that have impacted me deeply.”

Pointing out how "Nayak" in particular stood out for him, he added, “When it comes to politics, there’s one film I have to mention, Nayak. It inspired me, yes, but it also brought me a fair share of trouble!”

Refreshing your memory, "Nayak" shared the journey of a journalist who becomes the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for just a day and ends up cleaning the entire system of the state.

Sharing how that movie ended up giving people unrealistic expectations about a similar performance from him, CM said, "Everywhere I go, people say, ‘Be like Nayak! Look how much he did in a single day. He changed the world in 24 hours!’”

Fadnavis also added that he once complained to Anil about the same.

He told the 'Animal' actor, "Why did you make Nayak, bhai? Now people think you’re the Nayak (hero) and we’re the nalayak (incompetents). How did you manage all that in just one day?”

Despite all the challenges the film posed, the Maharashtra Chief Minister admitted that "Nayak" helps the leaders get in touch with their emotional side.

"When someone works in one field for years, emotions can dull, and things become mechanical. But films have a way of awakening those human feelings again. After watching a film, I feel like I become a regular person again — the one I’ve always been, despite the office I hold," he said.

Directed by S. Shankar, "Nayak" reached the cinema halls on 7 September 2001, marking 24 years of the film's release on Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Open in App

Related Stories

OpinionsWill China Invade & Annex Taiwan?

International"Respect freedom of expression, refrain from unnecessary use of force": UN chief Antonio Guterres urges Iran amid protests

International"Help them liberate themselves and Make Iran Great Again!": Reza Pahlavi's appeals to US President Trump

International"Indian, German govts should engage in dialogue to preserve rights of our young girl": Baby Ariha Shah's aunt

InternationalGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives at Ahmedabad Airport on his first official visit to India

Entertainment Realted Stories

EntertainmentMahhi Vij slams trolls for insensitive remarks, dating rumours

EntertainmentHrithik Roshan shares pictures from birthday bash featuring girlfriend Saba Azad, ex-wife Sussanne Khan

EntertainmentLukas Gage calls costar Emily Bader "biggest star in the world'

Entertainment"We are in shock..": GSSS National President Andrew Gurung condoles demise of Prashant Tamang

EntertainmentSS Rajamouli Opens Up on Birthday Boy Sukumar’s Next: The Opening Sequence Will be Incredibly Hard-Hitting