Thackeray teaser: Nawazuddin Siddiqui nails it as the late Shiv Sena founder

A biopic on the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray has been spoken of for quite some time now. The film, titled Thackeray, is arriving at last, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui essaying the titular role.

Yesterday, 21 December, the teaser and poster of the film were unveiled by Amitabh Bachchan. Focusing on the 1992-93 Mumbai riots, it is one of the most powerful teasers you may have seen in recent times.

Running for a little over one minute, the video starts off on a tragic note with the death of a child in an explosion. The black and white video is puntuated by the red of blood. As the mood of murder and gloom sets in, the leader emerges in his saffron adornment. Siddiqui's entry as Thackeray is worthy of applause. The visuals of Thackeray's favourite Shivaji Park are also pleasing to the eye.

The casting of Siddiqui for the role might come as a surprise, but his appearance quashes all doubt about whether he can essay the part.

It is interesting to observe  the presence of Muslim characters around Thackeray. In fact, one even announces him as 'Hindustan ke maha neta' (India's great leader). The teaser also gives hope of high technical quality.

Directed by Abhijit Panse of Rege (2014) fame and produced by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, Thackeray is scheduled to be released on 23 January (the late politician's birth anniversary) in 2019. The film will also be released in Marathi under the same title.

Watch the teaser: