“Aata Maajhi Satakli”: Ajay Devgn’s Quip Lights Up Marathi-Hindi Language Row Amid Heated Debate in Maharashtra
“Aata Maajhi Satakli”: Ajay Devgn’s Quip Lights Up Marathi-Hindi Language Row Amid Heated Debate in Maharashtra
Maharashtra reels under language policy debate; Celebrities weigh in with wit, pride, and calls for inclusivity
A growing language controversy in Maharashtra over making Hindi compulsory from Class 1 in Marathi and English medium schools has sparked intense reactions across the state. While the state government’s decision has triggered heated discussions on cultural identity and language pride, Bollywood celebrities are chiming in, with everything from light-hearted one-liners to heartfelt reflections.
At the trailer launch of Son of Sardaar 2, actor Ajay Devgn addressed the ongoing row in his signature Singham style, delivering the punchline “Aata Maajhi Satakli,” much to the audience’s amusement. The Marathi phrase, now synonymous with his iconic on-screen persona, brought a wave of laughter and applause but also underscored the actor’s rootedness in Maharashtrian culture.
While Devgn used humor to address the tension, actress Shilpa Shetty took a more grounded approach. Speaking at the launch of KD The Devil alongside Sanjay Dutt, she refrained from getting into the politics of the matter but asserted her identity with pride: “Mala Marathi yete. Me Maharashtra chi mulgi aahe” (I know Marathi. I’m a daughter of Maharashtra).
Others have taken a more reflective route. Shikhar Pahariya, grandson of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and rumoured partner of actress Janhvi Kapoor, posted a detailed note emphasizing the need for balance. “Marathi pride and ‘asmita’ are sacred,” he wrote, “but we cannot keep a language alive through fear or coercion.”
Veteran singer Udit Narayan echoed similar sentiments, calling Maharashtra his karma bhoomi and stressing the importance of respecting the local language while recognizing the country’s multilingual fabric.
The debate has brought to the fore deeper questions about cultural preservation versus inclusivity. On one side, there’s a push to uphold Marathi identity; on the other, concern over alienating non-Marathi speakers in a cosmopolitan state.
While the political and policy dimensions of this issue continue to unfold, Bollywood’s responses—from Ajay Devgn’s cheeky rebellion to Shilpa Shetty’s rooted pride, reflect the broader public sentiment: that every language deserves respect, and cultural pride should not come at the cost of unity.
