'Shivaji' campaigns for Shiv Sena

Even though the Shiv Sena hasn’t declared its ‘star campaigner’ for the Lok Sabha polls, a Marathi film Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy (I am Shivajiraje Bhosale speaking) has taken up that role.

Based on the Sena’s son-of-the-soil theory, the film connects directly with the audience, especially the youth, over the issue.

Though producer Mahesh Manjrekar denied that the film was made in view of the elections, its release – timed just a week before the first phase of polls – says it all.

Dinkar Bhosale, a middle class Mumbaikar, is the central character of the film. The story talks about how his son does not get admission to an engineering college because he cannot pay the donation amount.

His daughter is a talented actor but is denied a role in a Hindi film because she is ‘Bhosale’. A builder pressures and threatens Bhosale to vacate his ancestral bungalow in Vile-Parle and offers him a new one outside Mumbai.

With everybody piling on him, Bhosale feels dejected. That’s when Chatrapati Shivaji comes into the picture.

He boosts Bhosale’s confidence and encourages him to take the fight to his ‘enemies’. Finally, Dinkar wins.

Though the film takes forward MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s point that local people are being ignored in the state, and its dialogues remind the audience of the fiery speeches of Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

Some dialogues like Amhi bayka mulanvar var karat nahi (We do not attack women and children) and Me palun janar nahi karan me Bhosale ahe (I will not run away because I am Bhosale) are applauded by the audience.

 “After watching the film one can easily tell that the dialogues have been heard before,” said Ashish Deshmukh, an advertising professional. “Needless to say, it is Balasaheb’s theory.”

At the end of the film, Bhosale appeals to the people to vote for an honest, educated person. Engineering student Vinit Upasani said, “This film has had a great impact on me. I will vote for the Shiv Sena.”

 “I am Sena’s traditional voter,” said Arati Pawar, a banker. “After watching the film I have decided that I will cast my vote.”

The Shiv Sena, however, did not appear too keen to cash on the sentiments of their supporters. “The film conveys the right message but it does not mean that it has become our star campaigner,” said a party leader.

“People know we are the only party fighting to give them their rights for the past 42 years. The film will create goodwill for us,” a Sena leader said.