From directing a film on Maharashtra with an opening scene on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to revealing how to eat oranges without peeling it, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis engaged in a freewheeling interaction with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar at FICCI Frames event in Mumbai on Tuesday. In 2019, Akshay Kumar had interviewed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had then made headlines for asking Modi how he eats mangoes. On Tuesday, the Bollywood star asked Fadnavis how he eats oranges. “Since you are from Nagpur, I want to ask you how you like to eat oranges,” Akshay Kumar asked. Fadnavis laughed and then went on to explain, “There is a new way to eat oranges which I will share. You know eating oranges without peeling them. Cut the orange into two parts and add salt and eat. You will savour it with different tastes.” To a question on if he were to direct a film on Maharashtra, Fadnavis quipped, “If I were to make a film it would make Maharashtra proud. The first scene would be Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ascending the throne for the coronation ceremony. It would be a proud moment making Swarajya.” Asked which film has fascinated him, Fadnavis said, “Anil Kapoor’s Nayak. At the same time this movie has also multiplied problems for me. As the CM for a day, Anil Kapoor does so many things in a day. Whenever I meet people they refer to the film Nayak saying you should work like Nayak. If he can change things in a day.” In a candid admission, the CM said he loved watching films as there is always a lesson to learn. “I have been influenced by many movies and among them Nayak has held my interest the most. When I watch the film, I am always an ordinary person,” he said. While acknowledging the immense power and contribution of the film industry in society, the CM said, “Mumbai’s Bollywood will be transformed in next four years. It will have all advanced technology and logistics necessary for world-class filmmaking.” He also appealed to the film industry to come forward and shoulder the responsibilities in combating cybercrime and digital warfare which remains a challenge ahead.
