Actor Sayaji Shinde joins NCP: Played role of politician in many films

Sayaji Shinde said he was impressed by Ajit Pawar's style of functioning while joining the party in the presence of several NCP leaders.

In Short

• Ajit Pawar said Sayaji Shinde would be a star campaigner
• Says he would be given 'due respect' in party
• Shinde known for roles in films like 'Shool', 'Bharathi'

Veteran actor Sayaji Shinde joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections next month. The announcement was made in Mumbai, where Shinde was welcomed to the party by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, NCP working president Praful Patel, and State unit chief Sunil Tatkare.

Welcoming Shinde to the party, Ajit Pawar said that he would be one of NCP's star campaigners for the state polls, adding that several notable personalities could join the party in the coming days.

Ajit Pawar expressed confidence in Shinde's contribution, stating, "Shinde will be given due respect in the party."

Shinde said that he has played the role of a politician in several films. He added, "I was impressed by Ajit Pawar's style of functioning. To work more effectively, I need to be a part of the system."

"I welcome Sayajirao Shinde to our party. I don't watch many movies, but I have seen movies of Sayajirao. Along with his group, he does tree plantations in various parts of Maharashtra," Ajit Pawar said while welcoming Shinde.

Born in Satara district of western Maharashtra, Shinde began his career in Marathi theatre. His breakthrough in Bollywood came in 1999 with the film 'Shool', where he played a villain. Over the years, he has acted in a variety of languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English, Gujarati, and Bhojpuri.

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal praised Shinde's diverse filmography, saying, "We feel proud that he is being associated with us. Shinde is also a social activist."

He is best known for his roles in films like 'Shool', 'Bharathi', 'Antim: The Final Truth', and '1: Nenokkadine'. Shinde has received several awards for his contributions to Indian cinema, including the Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Actor.

(with inputs from Mayank Dubey)