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

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

Read | Actor Siddharth Terms Thackeray Biopic As ‘propaganda’, Adds ‘poetic Justice’ That Nawaz Is Playing Bal Thackeray

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

However, there was a twist in the tale as he continued, "Then I got to know through the news that the shooting has already started, so I was very disappointed. I called the executive producer of Thackeray. He told me Vishal casting is already done and tomorrow onwards we're going to start the 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 the 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, there was a stroke of good fortune, "But two months passed and nothing happened so I was very sad. But in the 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!"

Read | WATCH: Nawazuddin Siddiqui Is Fierce As Balasaheb Thackeray In 'Thackeray' Trailer

After this incredible tale of how he landed the part, he also shared his experience of the first day on the set of 'Thackeray' and meeting the star of the movie Nawazuddin Siddiqui himself. He said, "The first scene they were going to shoot was the 1995 scene. So I did all my research that night only. It is a no makeup movie with the exception of Nawaduzzin 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 now. 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 there was any makeup or prosthetics behind his uncanny resemblance with the current Shiv Sena leader, Vishal replied, "Not at all! I was only given kurta and glasses which Raj Sahab used to wear at that time. Other than that there was no makeup involved. I am so amazed at how the fans, admirers, followers, fan pages of Raj Sahab- they started taking screenshots of me from the trailer and posting it online."

As for what he learnt from a brilliant actor like Nawaz, he had 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 not shoot on sets, we used to talk about Manto. He used to share everything with me very freely."

Finally coming to the controversial topic of the 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 their own standpoints. I hope a middle ground would emerge and that there aren't too many cuts in the film and CBFC will also pass it." 

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