THACKERAY MOVIE REVIEW

Directed By Abhijeet Panse
Produced By Sanjay Raut
Director of Photography By Sudeep Chatterjee
Production Design By Sandeep Sharad Ravade

"Ghar Mera, bistar mera, sapne tere?!"

This line from the film pretty much sums up the premise of this Friday release 'Thackeray', the movie that celebrates Shiv Sena Leader, Bala Saheb Thackeray's life and work.

As a film student, I want to review the movie from its making point of view majorly and will just try to talk on the politics as many events happened or shown in the film are plainly shown from a one-point perspective and are a bit skewed as far as storytelling in films is concerned. The film gives subjective justice and less objectivity to the events that have taken place. None the less, they have tried for an objective approach of making Bala Saheb Thackeray stand on a trial from start to end, but you already know that the end of the movie will be an unbiased statement.



The film's storyline tells the story of events that happened during the supreme leader's life and presents arguments that justify his actions. It is also presented non linearly with intercuts in the courtroom but fails to explain what caused those events or how they happened. Also, the film does not show shortcomings that face the 'Sena' but just their reactions to situations. Although you get the idea of the film but never find a definite anti-hero or agon in it, which results just in a story of a man reclaiming his rights.



I understand the task was tough and showing Bala Saheb's stature in a two an half hour span is a mammoth of a task, but the film still tries its best to incorporate the events resulting in a distorted feeling of pace, it's not smooth enough to register the events as they pass.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui has again nailed the character and has left no questions unanswered as to 'how good he can be?'. Its all in all a Nawaz film and beside him stands Amrita Rao, who just had one emotional scene and we can easily make out that her character has not much to offer to the film.

The early days of 'Sahab' are shown in noir photography which fits perfectly into the story; the decision of moving from noir to semi-coloured to full coloured picture by the director of photography was interesting to watch on screen and helped viewers to understand the time period the film was talking about.

There is some visual poetry as every dialogue in the film is punctuated with a 'tigers roar' audio and a scene where Bala Saheb is gardening and the shot is in black and white and there's a marigold flower that stands out as it gets desaturated to an orange, symbolising the rise of Shiv Sena.

Kafi Symbolism.

The story partially overlooks the three-act structure and moves from event to event as in a documentary, the only part which I personally didn't buy is when the rise of 'Shiv Sena was shown; the efforts of making such a big alliance were completely unmentioned and the change from a common man to a great leader was done very swiftly and considering it as obvious, somewhere stating that Sahab or 'The Sena' didn't find any obstacle while rising.

Similar to Dhoni's biopic, 'Thackeray' is not a movie but documentation of Bala Saheb's ideology and stature, it very respectfully pays tribute to the leader, who was loved and worshipped by many.

The way I see it, many people will like the movie, especially those who were there in those times and have seen the 'Tiger Roar'; but for those who haven't yet acquainted enough with Saheb, the movie gives a lot of homework. So, if you are planning to watch the film make sure you are prepped up and have done your homework to understand the Tiger's ideology and love.

Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra!

Happy Republic Day!

Until next time

Akash Ajay.