Shivaji
Shivaji is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Shivaji began their career in 1988 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 38 years. With 30 credits to their name, Shivaji remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 30+ years, Shivaji's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
- Age
- 76
Biography
Shivaji Satam is a Hindi and Marathi cinema actor and television personality, best known for his portrayal of ACP Pradyuman in the long-running detective series CID (1998–2018), produced by B.P. Singh. His film career includes a supporting role in the critically acclaimed parallel cinema drama Pestonjee (1988), directed by Vijaya Mehta and starring Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, and Shabana Azmi, as well as a role in Mahesh Manjrekar's crime-action film Kurukshetra (2000) alongside Sanjay Dutt and Om Puri. He won the Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in Lead Role in 2002 for CID and has received two Maharashtra State Film Awards over a career spanning approximately 70 films. A former bank cashier who transitioned to acting through Marathi theatre, Satam represents a generation of parallel cinema character actors who crossed over into mainstream television stardom.
Career Milestones
Film debut in Pestonjee alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi
View film →Breakthrough role as ACP Pradyuman in long-running crime series CID
Appeared in major Bollywood production Kurukshetra as Opposition Leader Sambhaji Yadav
View film →Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actor
Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role
Iconic Roles
CID
His career-defining role as a sharp, no-nonsense detective in the long-running Hindi TV series CID, making him a household name and a Gen Z internet legend.
Vaastav: The Reality
Played the anguished father of Sanjay Dutt's gangster protagonist; considered one of his finest film performances.
Kurukshetra
Played the Opposition Leader in this political drama starring Sanjay Dutt and Mahima Chaudhry.
Defining Moments
His understated portrayal of a doctor in a small but memorable supporting role alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi in this critically acclaimed drama
His big-screen debut introduced him to Hindi cinema audiences in a prestigious art-house production directed by Vijaya Mehta, establishing his credibility as a serious performer
View film →As ACP Pradyuman delivering the iconic line 'Daya, darwaza tod do' (Daya, break the door) — a recurring scene format that became a cultural catchphrase across India
Though a TV moment, it defined Satam's public identity more than any film role; the phrase and his signature wrist-turn became internet meme phenomena and made him a beloved figure for multiple generations
Ensemble performance in this patriotic action film alongside Om Puri and Jackie Shroff, playing a principled authority figure navigating moral conflict
One of his most recognized film roles of the late 1990s, praised for adding gravitas to the film's dramatic beats and showcasing his range beyond comedy or light character parts
As Namdev Shivalkar, the anguished father who shoots his own son Raghu (Sanjay Dutt) to end his life of crime — a devastating climactic scene
Widely cited as Shivaji Satam's finest film performance; the emotional weight of a father choosing to mercy-kill his gangster son became one of the most discussed scenes of the film and elevated Satam from character actor to a name audiences remembered
Supporting role in the high-octane courtroom and action drama featuring Sanjay Dutt, where Satam's composed screen presence stood out amid a star-heavy cast
Demonstrated his ability to hold his own in mainstream commercial blockbusters alongside top-billed stars, cementing his status as a reliable supporting actor
View film →Shivaji by the Numbers
If you watched every Shivaji film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 1 day and 15h. Most-paired with Sanjay Dutt — 5 films together.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Shivaji.
Career Analytics
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Shivaji has worked most frequently with Mahesh Manjrekar (3 films), Partho Ghosh (2 films), Sanjay Dutt (5 films), Nana Patekar (4 films), and Shilpa Shetty (4 films).








Legacy & Influence
Shivaji, the esteemed Indian actor, carved a distinct niche in the cinematic landscape through his powerful character portrayals and unwavering dedication to his craft. While details of his early life and career beginnings remain less documented, his impactful presence in Indian cinema is firmly established through his memorable performances in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His career trajectory is marked by a deliberate choice of roles that often explored complex human emotions and societal narratives, steering clear of stereotypical commercial tropes. A pivotal moment in his filmography is his role in the critically acclaimed Indo-French production 'Pestonjee' (1988), directed by Vijaya Mehta. In this film, Shivaji delivered a nuanced performance that showcased his ability to embody subtlety and depth, contributing significantly to the film's artistic success and its recognition in international circuits. This role cemented his reputation as a serious actor capable of handling intricate, character-driven stories. He continued this trajectory with films like 'Kurukshetra' (2000), where he brought gravitas to a narrative set against a political backdrop. His contribution lies not in a voluminous output but in the consistent quality and integrity he brought to each project. Shivaji's work is often associated with parallel and meaningful cinema, where his performances added layers of authenticity and emotional resonance. He served as a bridge between different cinematic sensibilities, working in projects that balanced artistic merit with narrative engagement. His legacy is that of a dependable and profound performer who enriched Indian cinema with his understated yet powerful acting, inspiring a generation of actors to prioritize substance and character integrity over mere stardom. He remains a respected figure whose selective filmography continues to be studied for its artistic commitment.