MNS leader to direct Thackeray Sr biopic; Big B unveils teaser

The teaser of the film, Thackeray, based on late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was unveiled by actor Amitabh Bachchan at an event attended by Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

MNS general secretary Abhijit  Panse, who is a former Shiv  Sena man, will direct the movie. Sanjay Raut, MP and executive editor of Sena mouthpiece Saamna, will pen the bilingual biopic which has actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role. The movie is scheduled for a worldwide release on January 23, 2019.

Speaking on the occasion, Bachchan suggested that since Thackeray’s life could not be compressed into a three-hour slot, a web series could be made on it. It was a trip down memory lane for the superstar who recalled his association with the Sena supremo who regarded him like a family member and stood solidly by him in times of acute crisis and controversies. Bachchan recalled how during his final illness, Thackeray had kept his (Bachchan’s) photo by his bedside. Bachchan also recalled how a Shiv Sena ambulance rushed him from the airport to Breach Candy hospital after his injury during the shooting of Coolie.

Uddhav said the teaser indicated that the movie would be successful and noted that some depictions of Thackeray Sr were over the top and off the mark.