Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed a lighter side of his political journey at the 25th FICCI Frames Summit in Mumbai on October 7, 2025, crediting the 2001 Bollywood film Nayak for both inspiring him and setting lofty public expectations. In a candid conversation with actor Akshay Kumar at Asia’s premier media and entertainment summit, Fadnavis shared how the Anil Kapoor-starrer, depicting a journalist transforming Maharashtra’s governance in a single day, shaped his perspective but also sparked humorous challenges. The event, hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), drew industry leaders to discuss cinema’s societal impact.

Fadnavis, responding to Kumar’s question about Hindi films influencing his leadership, admitted that while movies don’t directly mould political strategy, they deeply affect emotional intelligence. “Films influence our emotions and empathy, our human side,” he said, singling out Nayak as a pivotal influence. “It inspired me, yes, but it also brought me a fair share of trouble!” he quipped. The film’s plot, where Kapoor’s character, Shiv Nath, becomes chief minister for 24 hours and overhauls systemic corruption, has fuelled unrealistic public demands. “Everywhere I go, people say, ‘Be like Nayak! He changed the world in a single day!’” Fadnavis recounted, drawing laughter from the audience.

The chief minister shared a playful anecdote about confronting Anil Kapoor: “I told him, ‘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?’” The remark underscores the gap between cinematic idealism and the complexities of governance in Maharashtra, India’s economic powerhouse with a population exceeding 120 million. Fadnavis, who has served as chief minister since 2014 (with a brief interruption in 2019-2022), noted that Nayak’s portrayal of swift reform sets an aspirational yet daunting benchmark for real-world leaders navigating bureaucratic and political hurdles.

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Beyond humour, Fadnavis highlighted cinema’s broader role in leadership. “When you work in one field for years, emotions can dull, and things become mechanical. Films awaken those human feelings again,” he said, adding that post-movie moments help him reconnect with his roots as “a regular person, despite the office I hold.” The discussion, part of FICCI Frames’ focus on media’s cultural influence, resonated with attendees, including filmmakers and policymakers.

As Maharashtra gears up for civic elections in 2026, Fadnavis’ reflections blend nostalgia with a call for grounded expectations, affirming cinema’s power to inspire while reminding citizens of governance’s real-world constraints.

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