Thackeray#Movie Review#Hrudaysamrat#Tiger of Maharashtra#Live life kingsize#

If we had to describe the story of the film Thackeray in a single statement, it would go as:

"A story of a Shiv Sena Nayak, by a Shiv Sainik, for the Shiv Sainiks."

It is very difficult to contain the personality of a person like Balasaheb Thackeray in a single film. So, before we start talking about the movie, you can expect a sequel to this film for sure. Since it is produced by the party's MP Sanjay Raut, you can certainly expect one more thing from this account of the Shiv Sena supremo's life: BIAS!!

With greater power comes greater responsibility...But, when you take greater responsibility, you end up getting greater power (by default). This phenomenon explains why an employee working for a small newspaper achieves a demigod status when he decides to become the voice of the then oppressed Marathi inhabitants of Maharashtra.

The film starts with the trial scene of Balasaheb Thackeray (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) before the Srikrishna Commission in the court wherein he is accused of inciting violence against Muslims in the 1992-93 Mumbai riots. It sets the tone for the film as we are made to witness Bal Thackeray’s journey from a cartoonist in the 1960s to his rise as a historic political figure of Maharashtra. Almost all the court scenes of Balasaheb are annotated with his extremist views and razor-sharp wit.

As far as performances are concerned, Nawazuddin seems to have slipped effortlessly in the skin of Balasaheb. If you happen to watch the Marathi version of this movie, you will feel as if Balasaheb is playing his role himself (thanks to some excellent voice dubbing work in the background). Nawaz got his Thackeray bang on; be it imitating his postures, be it mouthing his dialogues, or be it reprising his charismatic and magnetic style. Additionally, we had a tiger's roar ending with several dialogues of Balasaheb to keep reminding us that Thackeray lived, walked, and roared like a tiger throughout his life.

The film is presented by director Abhijit Panse in the form of several chapters portraying important events of Balasaheb's life (which could have made good content for a web series format).

As you walk through Saheb's life, you will feel that most of his reactions were strongly based on a single conviction "Eye for an eye." It might have been the need of that time and that era. Unfortunately, it still doesn't justify taking the law in one's hand and trying to hold the law and order of a state at stake. In few scenes, Balasaheb is even shown sneering at the idea of democracy and supporting the idea of dictatorship (when he tells George Fernandes that the nation needs a Hitler).

Nawaz carries the film on his shoulders with effortless ease. Unfortunately, the skewed narrative puts him down. It feels as if the makers of the film not only accept the accusations made upon the protagonist but also take pride in accepting them and wearing it up on their sleeves. As a result, the film seems to have been made only for a selected set of audience.

It is quite ironical that a Muslim actor from the North was chosen to play the role of the Sena Supremo, considering the Sena's strong stand on Hindutva and North Indians (It is quite unclear whether this move was politically motivated or was it a case of choosing talent over personal ideologies). Amrita Rao did a good job as Meenatai Thackeray (Frankly speaking she did not have much to do. She carried the same expressions she held in movies like The Legend of Bhagat Singh and Vivah).

The film gives you a fair idea of the political scenario of Maharashtra in the late sixties till the early nineties. If you are a Balasaheb fan, the film will give you plenty of clap- and whistle-worthy moments.

The single-pointed agenda of the film may cause several viewers to turn their backs to the film. However, it seems that the makers of the film actually don't care for such an eventuality. Their purpose (it seems) was only to bring Saheb to all the masses (via the film) and not vice versa.

Our rating for the film: 2.5/5.0