Actor Sayaji Shinde Receives Media Excellence Award for Green Initiatives

Veteran actor Sayaji Shinde, known for his powerful performances in multiple Indian languages, has been honored with the prestigious Media Excellence Award 2025 for his remarkable contributions to environmental conservation in Maharashtra.

Sayaji Shinde, who has left his mark in films across Marathi, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Gujarati, Bhojpuri, Malayalam, and English, is widely recognized for portraying intense villainous roles on screen. However, off-screen, he has played the role of a real-life hero through his decade-long commitment to tree plantation and ecological preservation.

Over the years, Shinde has spearheaded several tree plantation drives across Maharashtra and is credited with planting over 25,000 trees. His initiatives have helped transform barren lands into green havens, contributing significantly to ecological balance. Through his organization Sahyadri Devrai, he has promoted scientific and sustainable plantation practices, including the study of native tree species best suited for the local environment.

In recognition of his dedication to environmental protection, the Media Association of India (MAI), in collaboration with My Media 24 and Planet Marathi, conferred the Media Excellence Award 2025 upon Shinde. Due to his ongoing film shoot, Shinde was unable to attend the official award ceremony, so the honor was presented to him at his shooting location.

The award was handed over by Sheetal Kardekar, Founder of My Media 24, along with Sachin Chitnis, President of the Media Association of India; Chetan Kashikar, Executive President and Mumbai District President; Ganesh Talekar, Mumbai City Organization Coordinator; Vijay Kamble, Executive Member; and Suraj Khartakmal, Executive Member and Folk Art Scholar.

Sayaji Shinde’s work continues to inspire countless others to take action toward environmental sustainability, proving that a true hero’s role extends far beyond the screen.