Thackeray: Here's what reel life Raj Thackeray Vishal Sudarshanwar had to say about co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui

trailer of 'Thackeray', which is based on life of late Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray, came out recently. It has since gone viral, for good and b reasons. w, Republic TV exclusively got in touch with Vishal Sudarshanwar, who plays Bal Thackeray's nephew and current chairperson of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray. 

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Vishal regales us with amazing story of how he landed such a pivotal role and reason behind this great opportunity. He started off by saying, "As an actor, I always looked up to Raj Sahib. So n I came to kw about this Thackeray movie. So it came to me I h to contact se people who are casting or associated with production. I decided to do my own photo shoot in Raj Sahab's character."

However, re was a twist in tale as he continued, "n I got to kw through news that shooting has alrey started, so I was very disappointed. I called executive producer of Thackeray. He told me Vishal casting is alrey done and tomorrow onwards we're going to start shooting. But he said just send me a picture and I said I'll send you my pictures in Raj Sahab Thackeray's getup and he liked it very much. So he gave me casting director's number Rohan Mapuskar. So I talked to him and he said same thing that casting is done but anyways you send me your pictures and he too liked it a lot."

Just when things looked bleak for him, re was a stroke of good fortune, "But two months passed and thing happened so I was very s. But in month of May, I got a call at 9 pm at night from Rohan sir. He said Vishal can you please send me your Raj Thackeray picture once more? I sent it and within fifteen minutes he came back to me and said you're selected as Raj Thackeray!"

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After this incredible tale of how he landed part, he also shared his experience of first day on set of 'Thackeray' and meeting star of movie Nawazuddin Siddiqui himself. He said, " first scene y were going to shoot was 1995 scene. So I did all my research that night only. It is a makeup movie with exception of Nawuzzin sir- only costume and props were used. When I first met Nawazuddin sir, I was like, he's so down to Earth, he's a superstar right w. But still, he really down to Earth."

"His scene was going on and we were sitting and watching and when it got over he came and met us all. And he immediately said, 'He's Raj Thackeray', and everyone on set thought so too. After a while, Sanjay Raut sir came on sets and he recognised me right away as Raj (Thackeray)."

When asked if re was any makeup or prostics behind his uncanny resemblance with current Shiv Sena leer, Vishal replied, "t at all! I was only given kurta and glasses which Raj Sahab used to wear at that time. Or than that re was makeup involved. I am so amazed at how fans, mirers, followers, fan ps of Raj Sahab- y started taking screenshots of me from trailer and posting it online."

As for what he learnt from a brilliant actor like Nawaz, he h this to say, "I believe a lot in method acting and characterisation. And he too in a way he's doing projects involving characterisation- like Manto. So when used to t shoot on sets, we used to talk about Manto. He used to share everything with me very freely."

Finally coming to controversial topic of tiff between makers of Thackeray and CBFC, Vishal said, "Filmmaking is a form of expression. CBFC is a body, an authority which controls what story can be told and what can't. So, I would say both are right from ir own standpoints. I hope a middle ground would emerge and that re aren't too many cuts in film and CBFC will also pass it." 

Directed by Abhijit Panse, film is all set to release on January 25, 2019.