MUMBAI: When politics met popcorn, the stage lit up brighter than any movie set. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and actor-producer Akshay Kumar turned their fireside chat at Ficci Frames 2025 into an unmissable blockbuster of ideas, humour and social commentary complete with punchlines, promises, and plenty of applause.
The lively session opened with Fadnavis reflecting on Maharashtra’s deep cultural roots, particularly the enduring power of Marathi theatre. “Even today, Marathi plays draw packed houses and have achieved world records of 10,000 shows,” he said with pride. “That same creativity and expression are now being carried forward into Marathi cinema.” He credited the state’s audience for keeping the art form alive, adding that even as big-budget films dominate the box office, Marathi films continue to thrive.
“Two Marathi films now release on the same day and both become blockbusters,” he smiled, calling it a “remarkable phase” for the regional industry. He further shared that the state government has introduced multiple schemes to support Marathi filmmakers and production houses but admitted there was more work to do. “We’ve not yet made a specific effort to connect Gen Z with Marathi cinema,” he acknowledged, promising to focus on that new mantra going forward.
The conversation soon turned cinematic when Akshay Kumar, ever the entertainer, asked the CM a tongue-in-cheek question: “Do you watch films? Tell me, are films copying crime, or is crime copying films?”
Fadnavis’ reply was quick and disarmingly honest. “Crime is ahead of films,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience. He elaborated that while early criminals often modelled themselves on filmi gangsters, the real danger today lies in cybercrime. “These cybercriminals are advancing faster than technology itself. Crimes like phishing, sextortion, and digital frauds are becoming more complex,” he warned.
Turning serious, the CM called for the film industry to highlight digital crimes as a tool for public awareness. “Our new heroes should be those who fight cyberwars. Films have immense power to communicate emotion and they can play a vital role in creating awareness about the threats of the digital world.”
Akshay Kumar then lightened the mood again, sharing details of his upcoming film Haivaan, where he plays a negative character. “Should I do it, sir?” he asked with mock hesitation. Fadnavis was encouraging: “You should definitely do it! For a versatile actor like you, every role adds depth. Sometimes even a villain leaves a stronger impression than the hero.”
The audience chuckled, and Akshay quipped, “Then I’ll do it! Usually, I’m always the hero.”
Their repartee moved from reel life to real life when Akshay jokingly asked whether the end of Mumbai’s metro construction, a project currently dominating city roads could be marked by declaring a new public holiday. “Sir, once the metro work is over, can we call that day ‘Maharashtra Day’?” he laughed.
Fadnavis took the jest in stride but offered an earnest apology to Mumbaikars for the traffic chaos. “It’s temporary pain for permanent gain,” he said. “We are building tunnels, underground roads, and metro lines on a massive scale. Our goal is simple, “Mumbai in 59 minutes.” You should be able to travel from any part of the city to another in under an hour.”
He promised that once the projects were completed, the government would indeed celebrate the milestone with Mumbaikars. “As soon as the work is over, we’ll make it a celebration, a true Maharashtra Day.”
Akshay, ever the quick wit, interjected, “Sir, that day’s already a holiday!” prompting another round of laughter.
As the conversation wound down, Akshay switched gears to a more practical issue, the footwear of Maharashtra Police. Drawing from his background in fitness and action, he observed that police personnel, especially women, often wear formal shoes that could cause long-term back and spinal issues. “Those heels make it difficult to run or chase criminals,” he said earnestly. “If their shoes change, it’ll make a world of difference.”
Fadnavis appeared genuinely intrigued. “No one has brought this up before,” he admitted. “If you can design something better, we’ll definitely adopt it.”
Akshay, with a grin, promised, “I’ll make brown shoes and show them to you. Once that happens, Maharashtra Police will run faster than any criminal!”
The crowd erupted into applause, a fitting end to a conversation that was equal parts meaningful and mischievous.
Beyond the laughs and light-hearted banter, the exchange between Fadnavis and Akshay reflected a shared belief in creativity as a catalyst for change. From promoting Marathi cinema and addressing cyber threats to imagining a better Mumbai and healthier police force, the duo’s dialogue showcased how entertainment and governance can intersect in refreshing, relatable ways.
And if Ficci Frames had a closing act, this one certainly deserved the standing ovation. After all, when the Chief Minister and Indian cinema’s ultimate Khiladi share the stage, Maharashtra gets both a vision and a sequel worth waiting for.
