The much-anticipated Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards 2026 ceremony, one of the most talked-about events in Maharashtra, was held on Tuesday at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai. The grand event was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, veteran actor Aamir Khan, actor Vicky Kaushal, and several prominent personalities from across the state. During the event, Aamir Khan conducted a special interview with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, where several important issues were discussed in detail. At one point, Aamir Khan asked the Chief Minister about the responsibility of leading a state with such a large population, noting that one in every hundred people on the planet is a Maharashtrian.
Responding to the question, Fadnavis said it was indeed a huge responsibility and one built upon a strong legacy. “It is a very big responsibility. When we look back, we realise that we have inherited a great legacy. This legacy has not been created by a single individual, but by the hard work, dedication and sacrifices of many people over the years,” he said. Fadnavis also expressed pride in the rapid progress of the state’s economy. “Maharashtra is progressing very fast. We are India’s largest sub-national economy. When I presented the state budget a few days ago, I mentioned that if Maharashtra were a country, it would rank as the 30th largest economy in the world,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that if the current pace of growth continues without major disruptions, Maharashtra’s economy could soon surpass that of the UAE and Singapore. “At the current rate of growth, and if there are no major obstacles, Maharashtra’s economy will become larger than that of the UAE and Singapore within the next two years. That is the strength of Maharashtra. We will become the first sub-national trillion-dollar economy in India,” he said.
The high-profile event saw the presence of several ministers from the state cabinet, senior IAS and IPS officers, industrialists, doctors, lawyers and other distinguished guests. The ceremony was an invite-only gathering, and it also marked the first time that Devendra Fadnavis and Aamir Khan shared the stage for a public conversation, making it one of the most anticipated moments of the evening.