Few political dramas from mainstream Hindi cinema have stayed in public memory quite like Nayak: The Real Hero, and Anil Kapoor’s return to Shivaji Rao on its 25th anniversary has given that connection fresh emotional weight. On September 7, the actor marked the milestone with a heartfelt note, looking back at the character whose fight against corruption and misuse of power still resonates with viewers.
Anil Kapoor’s Tribute To Shivaji Rao
Sharing a montage from the film, Anil Kapoor wrote, “25 years of Nayak. What drew me to Shivaji Rao was never just the journey from a common man to the Chief Minister. It was what he chose to do once he got there, to use the power he had to make a difference to the people.”
He added, “To portray a role with that kind of purpose was a privilege and perhaps that is why Nayak continues to find its way back to people even after 25 years.”
He then summed up the emotion that continues to define his bond with the film. “The love for your country, and the desire to do better for its people will never be irrelevant, and I will always be proud to have been a part of such a story,” he wrote.
Why Nayak Still Resonates
Directed by S. Shankar, Nayak: The Real Hero released in India on September 7, 2001. The political drama followed Shivaji Rao, a television cameraman and reporter who corners Maharashtra Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan in a live interview and is then challenged to run the state for a single day. Once in power, Shivaji moves quickly against corruption and administrative collapse, turning a bold premise into a crowd-pleasing fantasy of clean governance.
The film also starred Rani Mukerji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, Saurabh Shukla, Johny Lever, Shivaji Satam and Neena Kulkarni. Though it did not emerge as a box office success during its original theatrical run, Nayak steadily built a loyal following over the years and remains a frequent reference point in conversations around political cinema. The film was the Hindi remake of Shankar’s Tamil hit Mudhalvan.
Anil Kapoor’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Anil Kapoor has remained consistently active across films, streaming and television in recent years. In 2026, he starred in Subedaar, which premiered on Prime Video, alongside Radhikka Madan, Aditya Rawal, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla and Faisal Malik. In 2024, he appeared in Crew with Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon, while also fronting Bigg Boss OTT 3 as host.
In 2023, Kapoor featured in Thank You for Coming and played Shailendra Rungta in The Night Manager, a role that reinforced his strong presence in the streaming space. His anniversary post for Nayak lands as both a personal reflection and a reminder of how some performances continue to connect across generations.
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