There is a quite an irony in how Thackeray the movie shows the introduction of Balasaheb Thackeray in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where he gets hailed by his followers even as he goes to depose himself in the Babri Masjid violence. As we know later, the man was against the immigration of labourers from the state. Even the much-talked-about casting of Nawazuddin Siddiqui in itself reeks of paradoxes, for those who know of what Bal Thackeray and his party, the Shiv Sena, stood for. And there is also the fact that Thackeray the movie is that rare occasion when an MNS leader (Abhijit Panse, the director) and a Shiv Sena leader (Sanjay Raut, writer, producer) come together to pay tribute to their one great common leader. Thackeray is an exercise in paradoxes as well as an ultimate tribute to a leader, whose divisive politics are still hailed by many. Thackeray Movie: Shiv Sena Workers Create Fuss at Vashi Multiplex For Not Putting Up Posters of the Nawazuddin Siddiqui Starrer.

The movie depicts two timelines in Bal Keshav Thackeray's life. The aforementioned Babri Masjid court hearing acts as a connecting thread to the main events of the film. Even though it is kinda crucial to the political aspect of Thackeray's career, these scenes are mostly used to depict the politician's witty side, and to play to the galleries.

It is the second narrative line that matters, which shows the rise of Bal Thackeray from a mere cartoonist in The Free Press Journal to a political kingpin so powerful that even the heads in New Delhi are wary of him.

Leaving his cushy job in the press because his strong voice has no support, Bal Thackeray starts his own publication called Marmik in the '60s, in which he scathingly attacks governing leaders like Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi. He soon becomes the darling among the masses with his fiery speeches against the immigrants from South and other states, inciting the people in Maharashtra to fight for their rights, even if it means violence. Not Nawazuddin Siddiqui But This Actor Was the First Choice to Play Balasaheb Thackeray In his Biopic.

His newly found party, the Shiv Sena, becomes the symbol of Marathi pride and Thackeray takes the fight of the common man from the streets to the assembly, while bloodshed and mob violence feel a part and parcel of the game.

Thackeray is a no doubt a biopic made to deify its subject, just like 99 percent of the biopics are made in Bollywood. However, there is a vast difference between last year's Sanju and Thackeray, even though both Dutt and Balasaheb end up blaming the media for bending the truth around them in their movies. While Sanju used emotionally manipulative tactics to whitewash its lead, Thackeray presents its 'hero' as it is - a man, hailed as God by many (there is even a scene where one of his followers has his photo placed among the other gods), who stand by the violent means of his party if it serves a larger cause.

Thackeray is what happens when an admirer makes a movie about his idol, whose faults also feel like achievements. The movie doesn't deny even once the fact that the Shiv Sena supremo supported violence. In fact, it revels in the idea that Thackeray used aggressive methods for a greater cause in serving the Marathi pride. It doesn't shy away from the communal divisiveness of his speeches, targetting at the minorities. Since I had the opportunity to see the film in Marathi, those speeches felt even more hard-hitting, especially if you belong to the communities they are targetted at (this writer is). But then you have to admire the gumption of the makers for not beating around the bush with these scenes, even though the rule isn't applicable to all events shown in the film. Like I said before, this is an admirer's take on his idol.

The movie has Thackeray justify his aggression towards other communities. It has him explain that he is not against these communities as such, but more so for those who don't toe the line. At times, we feel that his arguments against the failings of Indian democracy to defend his actions are hollow and contradictory, considering he is using the fallacies of the same system to further his legacy. Then, we realise it is not a problem with the script, but the movie's attempts to stay true to Bal Thackeray's real opinions. After all, he was of the firm opinion that India needs a dictator to change things. Which Film Will Open Well at the Box Office - Kangana Ranaut's Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi or Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Thackeray?

The first half is fast-paced in showing the rise of Bal Thackeray as the leader of the masses. The scenes that present the agitations over the merging of Karwar and Belgaum into Maharashtra are arresting. Thackeray the movie also doesn't avoid hinting at the possible involvement of his party in the murder of the Communist leader, Krishna Desai (Sanjay Narvekar), that marked the proper emergence of Shiv Sena into politics. The crucial moment is depicted in the movie when the black and white frames used to show the early portions change to colour through a saffron marigold.

However, there is a lot of information thrown at us by the makers without settling into any of it, which gives Thackeray the feel of a docu-drama. Important events are discussed, but never pondered at. We have never seen the repercussions of Desai's murder that Bal Thackeray had to face, while his support to Indira Gandhi's Emergency feels pretty rushed (with some very bad acting from the lady who plays the former Prime Minister), especially with the consequences that Shiv Sena has to face as a result.

The length of the film is duly felt in the second half, that goes a mile extra to worship its hero. The Babri Masjid sequences feel more of a joke on how courtroom dramas are shown in our films, while the Bombay Blasts are made to be all about him. There is a supreme lack of energy in these sequences, especially in how it culminates.

When Thackeray takes a break from these political events and shows the family man in Balasaheb, it feels fascinating. A scene where his wife Meenatai (Amrita Rao) reads a letter from him in jail and the one where they share a private moment at the beach surrounding by his guards are quite moving. This tender side of the man often takes a backseat to his aggressive side in the move. But then, it is the latter that drives people into the theatres to watch Thackeray.

Thackeray is made with propaganda. It wants to educate the younger generation of Maharashtrians of a now-weakened Shiv Sena party about its glorious (and often bloody) roots. Never mind that it is this pugnacious stance that has not found favour for the party in recent times and that the rival parties took advantage of. But, if you find people around you chuckling at Bal Thackeray's jabs at South Indians and Muslims, you know that it is serving its purpose.

Watch The Trailer of Thackeray here -

For me, I feel that Thackeray depicts how feeble the system can be made in front of a kingpin, who may not have held a minister's post, and yet had police and cricketers queue upto him with their hands folded.

The Performances

Nawazuddin Siddiqui may get a lot of brickbats for his involvement in the film. As an actor, though, he is a delight to watch, as he imbibes the spirit of the 'Tiger' with his body language and mannerisms. Even though his identity stands for everything his real-life character was against, you almost feel like it is Bal Thackeray's spirit is channelled through him. There is a fire in his eyes that works out well for his performance. Special mention must also be given to Sachin Khedekar who has dubbed for Nawaz in the Marathi version.

I wished the movie had a little more to offer to Amrita Rao, since she gives a very terrific performance in her brief screentime. Amrita plays it subdued and subtle as the supportive wife. The range of emotions she portrays in that letter-reading sequence is fantastic!

Yay!

- Nawazuddin Siddiqui

- Amrita Rao

- The Decent Execution

Nay!

- Not Everyone's Cup of Tea

- Idolises Some of The Violent Stances

- The Timelines Are Messily Incorporated

- Skids Through Some Controversial Events

- Pacing Issues

Final Thoughts

Your liking of Thackeray the movie depends neither on how well the movie is made nor on your opinion of this review. It more so matters on which side you stand on when it comes to your views on Bal Thackery, the political legend. If you are in favour of his ideologies, then you will love this film. If not, better skip it!

Rating:2.5out of 5

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 25, 2019 02:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).