Nawazuddin Siddiqui: People should appreciate Shiv Sena for approaching me to play their idol irrespective of my religious background”

Last year, power-house performer Nawazuddin Siddiqui played writer Saadat Hasan Manto in ‘Manto’ which was helmed by Nandita Das. This year, he will be playing Bal Thackeray, the founder of political party Shiv Sena in his biography ‘Thackeray’. The film is all set to hit the silver screens on January 25, 2019.

Now, Nawaz being roped in to play the supremo of Shiv Sena raised quite a few eyebrows. The reason being that he hails from the North and the political party has been known for its strong views against the migrants.

After the film’s trailer was unveiled, actress Richa Chadha called Nawaz a bipolar for taking up a film like this. Even ‘Rang De Basanti’ actor Siddharth criticised the film for propagating hate speech against South Indians. Now finally opening up about everyone judging him for taking up this film, Nawaz told Times Now, “Thousands of people will say thousands of things. Today, every little thing is turning out to become a controversy. Rather than broadening their thoughts, people are making it narrower. I am an actor, I will do any role. And moreover, has anyone tried to see the other side of it? Now, Shiv Sena, their team or Sanjay Raut gave me this role not on the basis of my caste. They didn’t see if I am a Muslim or whatever. They consider me as an artist who can do justice to a character like Balasaheb Thackeray. Why is nobody talking about this?”

The actor went on to add that instead of judging him, people should appreciate Shiv Sena for being so progressive and approaching him to play their idol. Helmed by Abhijit Panse, ‘Thackeray’ also stars Amrita Rao who will be seen playing Balasaheb’s wife.

Also Read: Richa Chadha is not amused by Nawazuddin Siddiqui for doing ‘Thackeray’ biopic

Pooja Sharma

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