Famous Marathi film actress and Eknath Shinde supporter Deepali Sayyed on Thursday alleged that she has received threats from certain “female politicians” warning her not to portray a character allegedly based on NCP leader Rupali Chakankar in an upcoming Marathi film.
Rupali Chakankar, a leader associated with Sunetra Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, had resigned from her post as Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission after her alleged links with arrested godman “Captain” Ashok Kharat came to light.
Deepali Sayyed, who is also a supporter of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and had previously contested an election, is reportedly set to play a character inspired by Chakankar in the Marathi film Maharashtra Epstein Files, directed by Swaroop B. Sawant.
The film, based on the sensational controversy surrounding arrested godman “Captain” Ashok Kharat, is expected to release in October 2026, Sayyed said.
The film’s tagline reads, “Now everything will be revealed.”
“This itself indicates that the film will expose many people. Once the film is released, the masks of many individuals will automatically come off,” actress Deepali Sayyed said.
“I have received threatening phone calls from women politicians asking me not to act in the film based on the Ashok Kharat case. I am being subjected to political pressure. Women political leaders called me and threatened to ruin my career if I acted in the film,” she alleged.
“Why are they calling me? I am not afraid of such pressure and I will continue to work in the film. I am going to speak to my party leaders. I will talk to Eknath Shinde and his son Shrikant Shinde regarding these threats. I will inform them that I am receiving threatening calls. I am an artiste and I do not need anyone’s permission to work,” Sayyed said.
She further stated that she had received the script of Maharashtra Epstein Files only recently.
“Big people are involved in all these Ashok Kharat-related cases. The film is scheduled to release on October 2, and shooting will begin next month. Only after reading the full script will I know whether Rupali Chakankar is actually at fault or not,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s film industry wing, Chitrapat Sena, has extended support to Deepali Sayyed.
Speaking to mediapersons in Mumbai on Thursday, Chitrapat Sena president Sushant Shelar said, “Deepali Sayyed is a renowned actress who has worked in several films and television serials. It is wrong to threaten any artiste for accepting a role. Chitrapat Sena stands firmly with her.”
“She should not worry about such threats. She is not timid by nature, and everyone has seen her contribution to social work. Actors have freedom of expression and the right to decide which roles they wish to portray. Similarly, Deepali Sayyed alone will decide which role she wants to enact,” Shelar added.