Thackeray Movie Review: Not As Fiery As Thackeray

In 2016, Nawazuddin Siddiqui wasn’t allowed to participate in his hometown Budhana’s Ram Leela after the district’s Shiv Sena head objected to a Muslim being a part of the play and now, Nawaz has portrayed late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in his biopic, Thackeray. Well, that’s Karma for you. [caption id="attachment_713718" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Thackeray Trailer[/caption] The film tells the story of Balasaheb Thackeray from being a cartoonist in Free Press Journal to becoming Shiv Sena’s dynamic leader. The film shows the highlights of his life in a chronological order however, they are only from one point of view, Shiv Sena’s and the movie caters to only Shiv Sena supporters. [caption id="attachment_713713" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Thackeray Trailer[/caption] Half the battle is won if you look like the character that you are playing and Nawaz is outstanding in and as Thackeray. He is a spitting image of the late Shiv Sena chief and you almost forget while watching the film that it’s not Thackeray but Nawaz on screen. Nawaz is the USP of this movie and he has lifted the film entirely on his able shoulders. Only those scenes are worth watching which have Nawaz in them. He is convincing in his role and has got the nuances right. Much to our relief he didn’t speak in a Marathi accent. [caption id="attachment_713715" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Thackeray Trailer[/caption] Amrita Rao is playing Thackeray’s wife Meena Tai Thackeray and she is only seen serving ‘chai-nashta’ to her guests and her family members in the movie. The rest of the characters are also not memorable but you do have some actors playing Indira Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and George Fernandez. [caption id="attachment_713716" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Thackeray Trailer[/caption] Thackeray looks like a propaganda film to entice Maharashtrians ahead of the 2019 general elections. Film shows Thackeray as he was, unapologetic and uncensored. Most of the dialogues have been taken from his actual speeches and interviews. Like I said before this film has been made to make Shiv Sena supporters happy and the fact that it glorifies violence is quite worrisome. I don’t know if the film will work in Shiv Sena’s favour or against it as while watching the movie one feels that the party promotes violence and hooliganism and that can backfire. [caption id="attachment_713714" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Thackeray Trailer[/caption] The first half has been shot in black-and-white as it takes us back in time. Old Bombay has been beautifully recreated and the sets look authentic. The film has been mounted on a big scale but the script is very unidimensional. The makers have tried to make the audiences emotional with a few scenes however they failed miserably but some scenes are very creative like the one in which Thackeray gets the idea of creating Marmik while watching an animated film. The biopic starts with a bang but becomes dull as it progresses and the second half is very rushed. Abhijeet Panse has shot the film well, considering that it’s his first Bollywood movie but he is guilty of self-indulgence. Screenplay is weak and fails to engage the audiences. Dialogues are good but it’s funny to see people talking in rhymes. You have ‘To Be Continued’ written in the end so, a sequel is very much on the cards. [caption id="attachment_713712" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Thackeray Trailer[/caption] The film will work in Maharashtra but not in other states. Watch it for Nawauddin’s terrific act and to know about Maharashtra’s most dynamic leader Bala Saheb Thackeray.