Years ago, a young boy from Maharashtra began his career counting cash at a bank. Little did anyone know that decades later, Shivaji Satam would gain fame as CID’s ACP Pradyuman, bringing to life the iconic line “Kuch toh gadbad hai, Daya!” His journey from a stable bank job to becoming a cultural icon was anything but ordinary.
“The bank was subsidising my art,” Shivaji, who kept his passion for theatre alive while balancing his nine-to-five job for 23 years, had once said. Born in a small town in Maharashtra, his life-changing moment came during a theatre competition, ending with him taking a crucial decision.
Leaving behind the comfort of a steady paycheck, Shivaji stepped into the uncertain world of acting. He landed roles in Marathi films and aspired to break into Bollywood. But despite appearances in blockbusters like Nayak and Sooryavansham, making a mark in the industry remained a distant goal.
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In 1998, he was offered a role that would resonate with audiences through decades — ACP Pradyuman in CID.Shivaji poured his soul into the character, bringing it to life with unmatched intensity. Reflecting on his journey, Shivaji shared, “The basic thing is that I love acting. I trained and educated myself watching Marathi theatre, and that’s how I can bring variations in my character. First, you have to empathise with whatever character you do.”
CID ran for 22 years, becoming a show that bonded families, captivated kids, and won over legends like Lata Mangeshkar.
Now, as CID gears up for a comeback, Shivaji’s legacy as ACP Pradyuman continues. “I have been working since 45 years; my first theatre was as a child in 1976, and since then I have been enjoying myself, honestly.”
Edited by Arunava Banerjee
