Veteran actor Sayaji Shinde, known for his powerful and versatile roles in multiple Indian film industries, has recently stirred discussion with a viral clip in which he contrasts the behaviour of South Indian film stars with that of many in Bollywood.
In the video, he describes the humility, respect, and gracious manners he has observed among legends like Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Jr. NTR, and Nagarjuna — and he subtly critiques what he sees in Bollywood: greater star arrogance, less regard for co-actors, and more focus on image than interpersonal respect.
Kindness Under the Tree: Rajinikanth’s Small Gesture
Shinde recounts a memorable experience from the shoot of Baba (2002) in Bangalore. He was sitting under a tree — preferring its shade — apparently because the vanity van or the inside area was occupied or felt less accessible.
Rajinikanth spotted him there and asked, with kindness, why he was sitting outside. When Shinde replied that he liked it under the tree, Rajinikanth insisted that he come inside, share food, and not be made to sit outside simply because of status or hierarchy.
Later, someone brought pomegranate juice intended for Rajinikanth, and the superstar asked for it to be served to Shinde first, saying that since Shinde had played an important role (“Bharti” in one film, as Shinde recalls), he deserved first respect. This gesture, Shinde says, is something he has never forgotten.
The South vs Bollywood: A Subtle Critique
Shinde doesn’t frame this as a bitter comparison but as an observation. He says that Southern stars are, in his experience, more polite, grounded, and treat co-actors and crew with more respect.
In contrast, his perception of Bollywood is that many big stars are more concerned about image, ego, and publicity than small acts of courtesy or treating every person on set — from junior artists to makeup artists — with dignity.
He is not alone: other actors such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui have similarly noted that Bollywood often champions “star value” over genuine acting craft.
Siddiqui has criticised the industry’s focus on larger-than-life stars even when their films don’t perform, while many skilled actors elsewhere get less spotlight, though their body of work may be deeper.
Sayaji Shinde’s Own Journey: A Pan-Indian Actor
Shinde’s credibility in making these observations comes from his own experience across industries. Born in a rural part of Satara, Maharashtra, he rose through theatre, then moved into Marathi cinema, and eventually worked in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films.
He has played villains, comic roles, and strong supporting characters, and has worked with many stars from different regional industries.
Because he has straddled many film worlds, his remarks carry weight: he has seen how stars behave, how shoots are organised, how respect among artists and technicians is managed (or sometimes not managed) in different contexts.
Unverified Claims & The Need for Specificity
While Shinde’s praise of Southern stars is specific, his critique of Bollywood remains more general and anecdotal.
He does not name many Bollywood actors as examples of misbehaviour, nor does he cite concrete incidents of tantrums, though in interviews elsewhere some actors have spoken about being treated poorly or being overshadowed by star egos.
Thus, while stories of “Bollywood star tantrums” are common in media gossip and social media, verified examples in connection with Shinde’s statements are lacking.
Some voices may demand greater evidence before accepting general statements about behaviour across industries.
Significance & Public Reaction
The resurgence of Shinde’s clip has ignited discussion among fans and industry watchers. Many applaud Rajinikanth for his warmth, use these stories as proof that humility remains valued in cinema, and express disappointment that Bollywood is often seen as more hierarchical.
Others caution that every industry has its share of both virtue and vice, and that one-off stories (however moving) do not always define systemic change.
For aspiring actors, technicians, and fans, Shinde’s anecdotes reinforce the value of kindness, respect, and the idea that greatness is not only about fame or box office but about character.
For Bollywood, such critiques may serve as reminders that in public eyes, good conduct off-camera matters as much as performance on stage.
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