'How will I speak Marathi? Balasaheb Thackeray will inspire me,' says Nawazuddin

Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be playing the late Shiv Sena leader Bal Keshav Thackeray, also known as Balasaheb Thackeray, in the biopic titled simply Thackeray. The film will hit the screens on 23 January 2019.

Yesterday, 21 December, Amitabh Bachchan unveiled the teaser of the film that will be shot both in Hindi and Marathi.

Siddiqui wasn’t present on the occasion as he is currently shooting in Mauritius. However, the actor left a message allaying the fears of those who worried about his Marathi-speaking skills as he hails from Uttar Pradesh.

The actor sent a video message in Marathi, saying, “You might think how will I speak in Marathi. But let me assure you Balasaheb will send me inspiration.”

Bachchan has been a close friend and supporter of Thackeray for many years. The veteran appeared in a light mood as he joked, “Sanjay Raut’s pen terrifies me. That’s why I came here.” 

On a serious note, Bachchan said Thackeray’s life cannot be portrayed in three hours and suggested that Raut also consider producing a web series on the late Shiv Sena leader.

Bachchan, whose character, Subhash Nagre, in the Sarkar franhcise was loosely based on Thackeray, recalled the time Shiv Sena workers came to his aid in 1983. The actor had suffered a near-fatal accident on the sets of Coolie while shooting in Bangalore. “A Shiv Sena ambulance came to transport me from Mumbai airport to Breach Candy Hospital when none was available during the monsoon," Bachchan said.

Thackeray will be directed by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena member Abhijit Panse. The film is being produced and written by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.