Skip to content
S

Shivaji

Shivaji Satam Sivaji Satamशिवाजी साटमশিবাজী সতমShivaji SattamShivaaji SatamShivaji Sataam

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
30+Known Credits
5.1Avg Rating
veteranCareer Phase

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

1988

Film debut in Pestonjee alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi

View film →
1998

Breakthrough role as ACP Pradyuman in long-running crime series CID

2000

Appeared in major Bollywood production Kurukshetra as Opposition Leader Sambhaji Yadav

View film →
2001

Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actor

2002

Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role

Iconic Roles

ACP Pradyuman1998

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.

Namdev Shivalkar1999

Vaastav: The Reality

Played the anguished father of Sanjay Dutt's gangster protagonist; considered one of his finest film performances.

Sambhaji Yadav2000

Kurukshetra

Played the Opposition Leader in this political drama starring Sanjay Dutt and Mahima Chaudhry.

Defining Moments

1988

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 →
1998

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

1998

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

1999

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

2000

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 →
The Numbers

Shivaji by the Numbers

Total Films0
Back-to-back Watch0 day+ 15h
Hit Ratio0%
Yrs Active0
Versatility0/10
Repeat Directors0
Biggest CollaborationSanjay Dutt5 films together

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.

Collaboration Network

Collaboration Network

The Constellation

Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Shivaji.

Shivajinfilms togetherSee full filmography →

Career Analytics

Language Distribution

Hindi
94%
Tamil
6%

Films by Decade

1
1980s
5
1990s
11
2000s

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.

Frequently Asked Questions