# Sayaji Shinde

Sayaji Shinde (Marathi pronunciation:; born 13 January 1959) is an Indian actor who has acted in Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Bhojpuri films and several Marathi Plays. Sayaji started his acting career in 1978 in Marathi one-act plays. His performance in a 1987 Marathi play titled Zulva was very well received, and since then he started gaining popularity among the circle of stalwarts. Later, he moved on to Marathi cinema and then started acting in other languages. He also appeared recently in Bacha Mat Bolna Yt Channel. He won Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Marathi for Aboli film, for his reprising debutant role "Sayaji".
Sayaji Shinde joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on 11 October 2024 ahead of 2024 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, NCP working president Praful Patel, and State unit chief Sunil Tatkare.

## Background

Born in a farmer's family in a small village named Sakharwadi in Satara District in Maharashtra, Sayaji completed his bachelor's degree in arts in Marathi language, and started his career in 1978 while studying in college as a night watchman for Maharashtra Government's Irrigation Department for a meager pay of Rs. 165 per month. During his service as a watchman, he developed an interest in theatre and his passion for acting drew him to the theatre and films. After his initial struggling years, he moved to Mumbai.

## Career

Sayaji started his acting career in 1978 with acting in Marathi one-act plays. His first Marathi film as an actor was Aboli in 1995. He did many Marathi plays, among which, his role as Sakharam Binder was highly appreciated. Other hit Marathi plays were Zulva (1987), One Room Kitchen (1989) and Amchya Ya Gharat (1991). He acted in many Marathi movies thereafter, among which, his role as an Agricultural Minister in the movie Goshta Chhoti Dongara Evadhi was to be remembered. Hindi actor Manoj Bajpai happened to see an article on Sayaji in Times of India and the former recommended Sayaji's name to Ram Gopal Varma.
Varma, who was at that time making the movie Shool, immediately offered the role of Bachhu Yadav to Sayaji, thus marking his entry into Bollywood. Shool gave Sayaji a decent start in his career. Later on he went on to act in the Tamil movie Barathi.in which Sayaji received tremendous appreciation for his acting. Despite not speaking Tamil, Sayaji effectively played the role of Tamil Nadu's poet and writer, Subramanya Bharathi in the movie directed by Gnana Rajasekaran and was honored with Tamil Nadu State Award for his efforts. Later on, he also acted in Tamil films like Azhagi and Dhool.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |

### Telugu

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2003 | Tagore | Badrinarayana |
| 2003 | Veede | Byragi Naidu |
| 2004 | Gudumba Shankar | 'Bejawada' Shankar Narayana |
| 2004 | Andhrawala | Bade Mia |
| 2005 | Orey Pandu | Vicky's father |
| 2005 | Andhrudu | Rana, a Politician in Bihar |
| 2005 | Super | Inspector |
| 2005 | Athadu | Shiva Reddy |
| 2005 | That Is Pandu | Bhagawan |
| 2006 | Rakhi | State Minister |
| 2006 | Boss - I Love You | S.R.K. |
| 2006 | Veerabhadra | Peddi Raju |
| 2006 | Pokiri | Syed Mohammad Pasha Qadri, Police Commissioner |
| 2006 | Naayudamma | |
| 2006 | Lakshmi | Janardhan |
| 2006 | Devadasu | Katamraju |
| 2007 | Maisamma IPS | Minister Sadhu |
| 2007 | Aata | Police Officer |
| 2007 | Chirutha | ASP Ajay |
| 2007 | Shankar Dada Zindabad | Rajalingam |
| 2007 | Takkari | Guru |
| 2007 | Dubai Seenu | Baabji, a Police Inspector,Durga's Henchmen |
| 2007 | Lakshmi Kalyanam | President Chenchuramaiah |
| 2007 | Sri Mahalakshmi | Janardhan |
| 2007 | Godava | Anjali's father |
| 2008 | Neninthe | Film Producer |
| 2008 | King | Gopi Mohan (King's Uncle) |
| 2008 | Chintakayala Ravi | Ramachandra Rao |
| 2008 | Ontari | ACP |
| 2008 | Sawaal | |
| 2008 | John Appa Rao 40 Plus | |
| 2008 | Mesthri | Apparaju |
| 2008 | Krishna | Shinde |
| 2009 | Arya 2 | Kashi Reddy |
| 2009 | Kick | Kalyan's father |
| 2009 | Satyameva Jayate | Anand Rao |
| 2009 | Fitting Master | Police Officer |
| 2009 | Bumper Offer | Surya Prakash |
| 2009 | Bangaru Babu | Narsimha Rao |
| 2009 | Pistha | Minister Sivanaandi |
| 2009 | Raatri | |
| 2009 | Baanam | Chandrasekhar Panigrahi |
| 2009 | Arundhati | Anwar |
| 2010 | Don Seenu | Machiraju |
| 2010 | Varudu | Home Minister |
| 2010 | Rama Rama Krishna Krishna | police officer |
| 2010 | Adhurs | Naik |
| 2010 | Maa Annayya Bangaram | Subba Raidu |
| 2011 | Oosaravelli | Tony's father |
| 2011 | Dookudu | Minister Shivangi Meka Narasingh Rao |
| 2011 | Mr. Perfect | Maggie's uncle, MindGames Of CEO, Bava's Father |
| 2011 | Shakti | Sivaji |
| 2011 | Solo | Vishwanath |
| 2012 | Sudigadu | Priya's father |
| 2012 | Seema Tapakai | Gurajada Krishnamurthy (GK) |
| 2012 | Yamudiki Mogudu | Yama |
| 2012 | Endukante... Premanta! | Ram's Father |
| 2012 | Vastadu Naa Raju | Home Minister |
| 2012 | Daruvu | Superstar Balram |
| 2012 | Businessman | Laalu Saab |
| 2013 | Shadow | Chaithanya Prasad aka CP |
| 2013 | Bhai | Home Minister Pande |
| 2013 | Baadshah | IG Ramchandra |
| 2013 | Jabardasth | Bihar Yadav |
| 2014 | Basanti | Commissioner Ali Khan |
| 2014 | Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham | Ganga Prasad |
| 2014 | Rabhasa | Dhanunjay |
| 2014 | Yamaleela 2 | Yama |
| 2014 | Oka Laila Kosam | Nandana's Father |
| 2014 | Race Gurram | Chief Minister |
| 2014 | Joru | MLA Sadasivam |
| 2014 | 1: Nenokkadine | Inspector Jaan Basha |
| 2015 | Bengal Tiger | Agriculture Minister Samba |
| 2015 | Sher | IPS Sharath Chandra |
| 2015 | Bruce Lee – The Fighter | Marthand |
| 2015 | Surya vs Surya | Sanjana's Father |
| 2016 | Saptagiri Express | Umesh Chandra |
| 2016 | Dhruva | Dhiraj Chandra |
| 2016 | Brahmotsavam | Rao Ramesh's brother |
| 2016 | Shourya | Maheswara Rao |
| 2016 | Hyper | Udayashankar |
| 2016 | Dictator | Bokha Sivaram |
| 2016 | Mister 420 | |
| 2017 | PSV Garuda Vega | Mining Minister |
| 2017 | Oxygen | Veerabhadram |
| 2017 | Spyder | DGP Chandrasekhar |
| 2017 | Andhhagadu | ACP Dharma |
| 2018 | Amar Akbar Anthony | Jalal Akbar |
| 2018 | Touch Chesi Chudu | DGP Ramachandra Rao |
| 2018 | Hello Guru Prema Kosame | Karthik's father |
| 2018 | Pantham | CBI Officer |
| 2018 | Officer | JCP Ramdas |
| 2018 | Mehbooba | Roshan's father |
| 2018 | Inttelligent | Police Officer Mohanty |
| 2018 | Kirrak Party | Krishna's Father |
| 2019 | Ruler | Durga Prasad |
| 2019 | iSmart Shankar | CBI Officer Chandrakanth |
| 2019 | Software Sudheer | Chandu's father |
| 2021 | Vakeel Saab | Minister Shankar Reddy |
| 2022 | Godse | |
| 2022 | Godfather | Opposition Leader Bangaram Naidu |
| 2023 | Maa Awara Zindagi | |
| 2023 | Ala Ila Ela | Anu's father |
| 2024 | Aho Vikramaarka | |
| 2024 | Double iSmart | CBI Officer Chandrakanth |
| 2024 | Maa Nanna Superhero | Srinivas |
| 2024 | Fear | |

### Marathi

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1994 | Vazir | |
| 1995 | Aboli | Sayaji |
| 1995 | Maajhi Maanasa | |
| 1995 | Katha Doan Ganpatraonchi | |
| 1999 | Ladhaai | Vijay Nadkarni |
| 2001 | Ashi Gyaneshwari | Savle |
| 2005 | Kunku Zale Vairi | Arjun Mane Patil |
| 2008 | Gallit Gondhal, Dillit Mujra | Chandrakant Tope |
| 2008 | Oxygen-Jeev Gudmartoya | Annasaheb Patange Patil |
| 2009 | Bapu Beeru Vategaonkar | Ranga |
| 2009 | Goshta Choti Dongraevadhi | Agriculture Minister |
| 2009 | Bapu Veer Borgakar | |
| 2009 | Jai Maharashtra | |
| 2010 | Tya Ratri Paus Hota | Shripatirao |
| 2011 | Tambyacha Vishnubala | |
| 2011 | Don Ghadicha Daav | |
| 2011 | Bokad | |
| 2013 | Tendulkar Out | Sunil Tendulkar |
| 2013 | Sat Na Gat | Anna (Shinde) |
| 2014 | Punha Gondhal Punha Mujra | Vishwasrao Tope |
| 2015 | Mohar | Sayaji |
| 2015 | Dholki | Patil |
| 2016 | Babanchi Shala | Jailor |
| 2017 | Yuntum | Raaosaheb |
| 2017 | Shoor Aamhi Sardar | MLA Mali |
| 2017 | Bhikari | Vishwananth |
| 2018 | Love Betting | Golya Patil |
| 2019 | Tandav | |
| 2019 | Babo | Bhaskar |
| 2022 | Faas | |
| 2023 | Ghar Banduk Biryani | Pallam |
| 2023 | Aadharwad | |
| 2023 | Aani Baani | |
| 2023 | Pahije Jatiche | |
| 2023 | Ankush | Rana Pardeshi |
| 2023 | Sasubai Jorat | |
| 2023 | Ekda Yeun Tar Bagha | Nutan Sheth |

### Hindi

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1990 | Disha | Soma's friend in Bombay |
| 1997 | Darmiyaan: In Between | Champa |
| 1999 | Shool | Bachoo Yadav |
| 2000 | Khiladi 420 | Bhai's Henchman Gangster |
| 2000 | Kurukshetra | Havaldar Gopinath Surve Patil "Gopi" |
| 2001 | Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa | Bijnora |
| 2001 | Shirdi Sai Baba | |
| 2001 | Avgat | Narayan Keni |
| 2001 | Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence | Sanjay Saikia |
| 2001 | Jodi No.1 | Thakral John's Mama |
| 2001 | Lagi Shaarth | |
| 2002 | Karz: The Burden of Truth | Himmatbhai |
| 2002 | Pardesi Re | |
| 2002 | Road | Inspector Singh |
| 2002 | Lal Salaam | Inspector G.C. Deshpande |
| 2002 | Ansh: The Deadly Part | Govind "Edda" |
| 2002 | Kaaboo | Anna |
| 2003 | Marktet | Inspector Sawant |
| 2003 | Parwana | Yashwantrao Waghmare |
| 2003 | Calcutta Mail | Lakhan Yadav |
| 2003 | Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye | Sayaji Rane (Sheela's Husband) |
| 2003 | Danav | Thakur Raja Sahab |
| 2004 | Vaastu Shastra | Inspector Bhupal Gorpade |
| 2004 | Hanan | Inspector Pardesi |
| 2004 | Satya Bol | Shinde |
| 2004 | Mujhse Shaadi Karogi | Tommy's friend |
| 2005 | Sauda - The Deal | Blackmailer |
| 2005 | Nigehbaan: The Third Eye | |
| 2005 | Chaahat Ek Nasha | Manmohan Rangeela |
| 2005 | Jackpot | |
| 2006 | Chhal: The Game of Death | |
| 2006 | Deodhar Gandhi | |
| 2006 | Jeet: Feel the Force | |
| 2007 | Big Brother | Baburao 'Bhau' Kamble |
| 2008 | Ugly Aur Pagli | Hotel Manager |
| 2008 | Sarkar Raj | Karunesh Kaanga |
| 2009 | Team: The Force | Raman Bhai |
| 2009 | Yeh Mera India | Inspector Chandrakant Shinde |
| 2009 | Ek: The Power of One | |
| 2018 | Sanju | Bandu Dada |
| 2018 | Kaala | Maharashtra Minister |
| 2021 | Antim: The Final Truth | Head Constable |
| 2022 | Govinda Naam Mera | Ajit Dharkar |
| 2023 | Aazam | Madan Shikre |
| 2023 | Ajmer 92 | DIG Shekhawat |
| 2024 | Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha | Yeda Anna |

### Tamil

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2000 | Bharathi | Subramaniya Bharathi |
| 2001 | Poovellam Un Vaasam | Rajasekar |
| 2002 | Azhagi | Dhanalakshmi's Husband |
| 2002 | Baba | Divyananda Bharathi |
| 2003 | Dhool | Minister Kalai Pandiyan |
| 2006 | Sudesi | R. C. Narayan |
| 2007 | Azhagiya Tamil Magan | Seth |
| 2008 | Vaitheeswaran | Dhanasekaran |
| 2008 | Santosh Subramaniam | Govindhan |
| 2009 | Padikkathavan | Rami Reddy |
| 2009 | Thoranai | Minister Sivanandi |
| 2009 | Thee | Rajapandian |
| 2009 | Aadhavan | Ibrahim Rowther |
| 2009 | Vettaikkaran | Kattabomman |
| 2011 | Vedi | Easwaramoorthy |
| 2011 | Velayudham | Feroz Khan |
| 2012 | Oru Kal Oru Kannadi | Mahendra Kumar |
| 2012 | Thaandavam | Ravichandran |
| 2013 | Settai | Jewelry owner |
| 2014 | Maan Karate | Sethuraman |
| 2014 | Damaal Dumeel | Kamatchi Sundaram |
| 2015 | Nannbenda | Sathya's Father |
| 2015 | Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga | Ashok |
| 2017 | Spyder | DGP Chandrasekhar |
| 2018 | Kaala | Union Minister of Maharashtra |
| 2018 | Johnny | Kalyan |
| 2019 | Pottu | Dr. R.K. |
| 2019 | Rocky: The Revenge | Thenappan |
| 2019 | Action | Deputy officer of Military Colonel |
| 2019 | Market Raja MBBS | God Father Radha |
| 2020 | Cocktail | Rajamanickam |
| 2021 | Nayae Peyae | |
| 2021 | Sabhaapathy | Lucky Raja |
| 2022 | Nenjuku Needhi | CBI Officer |
| 2022 | Gethule | Minister Mani |
| 2023 | Aghori | |
| 2024 | Indian 2 | Balsingh |
| 2024 | Oru Thee | Anu's father |
| 2025 | Rajabheema | |

### Kannada

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1991 | Patitha Pavani | village lower caste young boy |
| 2004 | Veera Kannadiga | Bade Miyan |
| 2007 | Lava Kusha | |
| 2008 | Porki | CM Karim Abdul Khaled |
| 2011 | Srimathi | |
| 2012 | Arakshaka | |
| 2012 | Shakti | Bachchegowda |
| 2013 | Veera | |
| 2014 | Brahma | |
| 2014 | Jai lalitha | Raghav ACP |
| 2015 | Ouija | Satan Fakir |
| 2015 | Luv U Alia | |
| 2015 | Uppi 2 | |

### Malayalam

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2010 | Twinkle Twinkle Little Star | |
| 2013 | Nadodimannan | Pushpam Prakashan |

### Bhojpuri

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2022 | Dharma | with Pawan Singh & Kajal Raghwani. |
| TBA | Fighter King | with Samar Singh |
| 2022 | Rowdy Rocky | with Pradeep Pandey "Chintu" |

### English

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2006 | Rockin Meera | Tiger Singh |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1995 | Aahat | uncredited role |

### Web series

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Platform |
| 2020 | Loser | Ruby's Father | Telugu | ZEE5 |
| 2022 | Mi Punha Yein | MLA Vasant Rao Murkute | Marathi | Planet Marathi |
| 2024 | Killer Soup | | Hindi | Netflix |
| 2024 | Kalsutra | | Marathi | |

## Production

He produced couple of Marathi movies. Sayaji helped Nagesh Bhonsle to produce the Marathi film Goshta Choti Dongraevadhi. He also produced the Makarand Anaspure's Dambis (2011).

## Awards and nominations

* 1995 : Won: Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Marathi - Aboli for his reprising role "Sayaji"
* 2001:Nominated:Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Kurukshetra
* 2000:Nominated:Filmfare Best Villain Award for Shool
* 2006:Nominated:Filmfare Award for Best Villain – Telugu for Andhrudu
* 2009:Nominated:Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Telugu for Arundhati
* 2023:Won:Maharashtracha Favourite Kon? Award for Favourite Villain for Ghar Banduk Biryani