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Genres:  Biopic Censor: UA Duration: 139 min. Studio / Presenter: Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Carnival Motion Pictures, Sanjay Raut Producer: Sanjay Raut DOP: Sudeep Chatterjee Music: Rohan Rohan Director: Abhijeet Panse Cast:  Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Amrita Rao Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke.

Balasaheb Thackeray was the most powerful and charismatic leader in Maharashtra who controlled his political party Shiv Sena in such a way that the party was voted to power not only in Mumbai Municipal Corporation but also during the Assembly elections. Under his leadership the party also won Parliamentary elections in most parts of Maharashtra, this spreading its strength at National level. But, the young generation is not aware of Balasaheb’s entry into politics during his younger days, when as a Cartoonist he worked in Free Press Journal as a cartoonist.

In the biopic ‘Thackeray’ released on Friday 25th January, we find the legend’s journey right from the days, when he launched his own weekly ‘Marmik’ in early 60s . Well, everybody knows that the popularity of this weekly and the hard hitting views in the interest of local people expressed by him as a firebrand journalist, influenced the people from Maharashtra. In the film we find all these happenings but interestingly the story of birth and evolution of Shiv Sena has been clearly shown how a Congress CM saw the end of rising pressure of Leftists by indirectly supporting Shiv Sena.

Actually, the film covers the journey of Balasaheb’s rising popularity from early 60s till 1994 when he was questioned in the court about his role in Ayodhya dispute. And therefore, we find his interactions with many political leaders right from Mr. Y.B. Chavan, who was then CM of Maharashtra during early 60s, followed by his successor Vasantrao Naik, PM Indira Gandhi and many others. His style of functioning and his trust in his close associates has been clearly shown through many important scenes. Hence we find the characters of his trusted leaders like Datta Nalawade, Wamanrao Mahadik,  Dattaji Salvi, Manohar Joshi and few others getting importance in the film. At the same time, we find his friendly relations with his political rivals Mr. Sharad Pawar and George Fernandes. However, characters of important leaders who were earlier close to him and later ditched him, have been conveniently avoided in this film. Instead the film presents the strong influence of charismatic Balasaheb, taking right decisions at the right time and standing by his words.

Writer Sanjay Raut and director Abhijit Panse have accordingly paid more attention on his body language, style of delivering his speeches and his belief in himself and his soldiers whom he addressed as Sainiks. This has offered better scope to Nawazuddin Siddiqui to show his skills and he has done full justice to his role. Amrita Rao in the role of his wife Meena Tai Thackeray suits very well in that character . Many versatile artistes offer excellent support through their respective character roles, though they have limited scope. Music by team of Amar Mohile, Rohan-Rohan, Sandeep Shirodkar goes well with the film’s screenplay. Cinematography by Sudeep Chatterjee is also impressive. Though at some places in the screenplay, it gives a look of a documentary, all in all it is a well presented film.