Thackeray is a 2019 Indian biographical film written and directed by Abhijit Panse and made simultaneously in Marathi and Hindi. The film follows the life of Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the Indian political party Shiv Sena. The film stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Thackeray and Amrita Rao as his wife.[4][5][6] The film released on 25 January 2019, right after the 93rd birthday of Bal Thackeray.[7][8][9][10]

Thackeray
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAbhijit Panse
Written byArvind Jagtap
Screenplay byAbhijit Panse[1]
Story bySanjay Raut
Based onBal Thackeray
Produced byViacom18 Motion Pictures
Shrikant Bhasi
Varsha Sanjay Raut
Purvashi Sanjay Raut
Vidhita Sanjay Raut
StarringNawazuddin Siddiqui
Amrita Rao
CinematographySudeep Chatterjee
Edited byAshish Mahatrae
Apurva Motivale
Music bySongs:
Rohan-Rohan
Sandeep Shirodkar
Score:
Amar Mohile
Production
companies
Viacom 18 Motion Pictures
Raut'ers Entertainment
Carnival Motion Pictures
Distributed byViacom18 Motion Pictures
Release date
  • 25 January 2019 (2019-01-25)
Running time
139 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguagesMarathi
Hindi
Budget30 crore[2]
Box officeest. 31.6 crore[3]

Plot

edit

The film is a biopic based on Marathi politician Balasaheb Thackeray.

Cast

edit

Soundtrack

edit
Thackeray
Soundtrack album by
Released15 January 2019[11]
Recorded2018
GenreFeature Film Soundtrack
Length17:04
LabelZee Music Company
External audio
  Audio Jukebox on YouTube
Rohan-Rohan chronology
Sanju
(2018)
Thackeray
(2019)
Kissebaaz
(2019)
Sandeep Shirodkar chronology
Baaghi 2
(2018)
Thackeray
(2019)
Housefull 4
(2019)

The music of the film was composed by Rohan-Rohan and Sandeep Shirodkar with lyrics by Dr Sunil Jogi, Manoj Yadav and Manndar Cholkar. The film's score was composed by Amar Mohile.

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Saheb Tu Sarkar Tu"Manoj YadavSukhwinder Singh5:25
2."Aaple Saheb Thackeray"Manndar CholkarAvadhoot Gupte4:33
3."Aaya Re Thackeray"Dr Sunil JogiNakash Aziz4:33
4."Thackeray Theme" (Music by Sandeep Shirodkar)InstrumentalSandeep Shirodkar2:33
Total length:17:04

Reception

edit

Critical response

edit

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 20% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.3/10.[12]

Thackeray received mixed reviews from critics.[13] Times of India gave the film 3 stars out of 5 and states: "While the honesty is commendable, it comes across that the lead character's political motivations lack clarity. Perhaps a more seasoned writer, could have fleshed out Thackeray's characters and eccentricities a lot better. But, its Nawaz's nonchalant performance that overshadows the flaws and leaves a lasting impact."

Times Now went with 2.5 stars out of 5 and has to say: "A lot of focus is put on making the film a tearjerker by emphasizing the aftermath of the riots, violence and fights that pretty much summed up Shiv Sena's history under the guidance of founder, Bal Thackeray. The film is good because of Nawazuddin's performance but it cannot be considered as one of the best biopics ever created."[14]

The life time domestic Box office collection is 316 million (US$3.8 million) as per Taran Adarsh.[3] Raut also plans to continue the film with a sequel.[15]

Controversy

edit

Popular Tamil and Telugu actor Siddharth has slammed Bal Thackeray for abusing South Indians.[16][17][18]

“Nawazuddin has repeated 'Uthao lungi bajao pungi' (lift the lungi and *'#$ him) in the film #Thackeray. Clearly hate speech against South Indians... In a film glorifying the person who said it! Are you planning to make money out of this propaganda? Stop selling hate! Scary stuff!"

References

edit
  1. ^ "Thackeray: It is not easy to make film on Balasaheb, says Shiv Sena chief Uddhav". Firstpost. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  2. ^ Pawar, Yogesh (3 February 2019). "Manikarnika vs Thackeray: Queen pips saffron tiger to box office success". DNA. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b Taran Adarsh [@taran_adarsh] (1 February 2019). "#Thackeray Fri 6 cr, Sat 10 cr, Sun 6.90 cr, Mon 2.90 cr, Tue 2.50 cr, Wed 1.70 cr, Thu 1.60 cr. Total: ₹ 31.60 cr. India biz. #Hindi #Marathi" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ "Thackeray: Nawazuddin Siddiqui nails the look of the supremo Balasaheb Thackeray". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui to play Balasaheb Thackeray in upcoming biopic. See photos". The Indian Express. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  6. ^ "'Thackeray' Trailer: Nawazuddin Siddiqui In & As Balasaheb". The Quint. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Bal Thackeray biopic to release on THIS date". dna. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Thackeray teaser: Nawazuddin Siddiqui transforms into Bal Thackeray. Watch video". Hindustan Times. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Sanjay Raut on Thackeray biopic: I am not going to shift the date, come what may". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d "Thackeray Movie Wiki, News, Teaser, Cast and Crew - Movie Alles". Movie Alles. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Thackeray - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". JioSaavn. 14 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Thackeray". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 19 December 2023.  
  13. ^ Jha, Shefali (25 January 2019). "Thackeray movie review and rating: Critics declare the film as Nawazuddin's career best". International Business Times, India Edition.
  14. ^ "Thackeray movie review and rating: Critics declare the film as Nawazuddin's career best". International Business Times. 25 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Producer Sanjay Raut Planning To Make Sequel Of Thackeray". Mid-Day. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  16. ^ "'Stop Selling Hate': Siddharth Criticises Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Thackeray". News18. 27 December 2018.
  17. ^ "'Thackeray' Lands In Another Controversy, Actor Siddharth Calls The Trailer 'Anti-South Indian'". IndiaTimes. 27 December 2018.
  18. ^ "'Thackeray' undermines south Indians, is a propaganda film on Marathi bigot: Actor Siddharth". The New Indian Express. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
edit