Plot

From controversial cartoonist to powerful Mumbai politician, this biopic maps the meteoric rise of far-right Shiv Sena party founder, Bal Thackeray.

Balasaheb Thackrey works as a cartoonist for a newspaper. But his editor isn't happy with it as he creates cartoons of politician which affects the sales of his paper.He is asked to try something else but he quits his job and now his only aim is to fight for the rights of Marathi people. He sees that Marathi people don't have any respect and are made to do all odd works. With a few people, he starts to help the needy and gains respect. To fight for the rights he also goes against the law and comes in the eye of politics. After entering politics he starts his own party named after Shivaji Maharaj as Shiv Sena. After giving Marathi Manoos his equal rights his only wish is that one day the Chief Minister of Maharashtra should be a Marathi Manoos.—alex.mjacko@gmail.com

It is based on the Leader Balasaheb Thakre (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) of political party of Maharashtra i.e Shivsena. His life event and achievements are mentioned in this film. 1961 Thackeray is a political satirist in a local newspaper and has a contrarian view to the general opinion. He wants Marathas to be in power in Maharashtra. he draws satirical cartoons to drive his points. He is sick and tired of gangs from outside the state running the situation in Bombay and the state. He is married to Meena Tai Thackeray (Amrita Rao). He goes to banks for a loan to start a Marathi magazine but is refused. Finally, he takes a Rs 5000 loan from a loan shark to start Prahar. from Prahar he starts a full-blown newspaper called Marmik

From that point on Thackeray's views get more and more political and asking for the just rights of Marathas in Maharashtra. He starts giving speeches in public forums asking for Marathas to come together to expel outsiders from the city and state. The first wave goes against Madrasis and leads to losses for their businesses from the violence. The local police support Thackeray as they know he is fighting for the rights of locals.

In 1963, Thackeray officially launches the Shiv Sena. A political organization to fight for rights of local Marathas. With the political org behind him, he also turns a savior for the poor and downtrodden Marathas in the society. Solving their daily problems, which the state machinery doesn't want to address. As his power grows Thackeray, in 1969, challenges the then VP Morarji Desai (Rajesh Khera) and bans him from entering Maharashtra since he is dallying the issue of Maratha unity (the unification of Belgaum and Marwar into Maharashtra). Thackeray wants to personally hand over the petition to Morarji on his tour to Bombay. But Morarji snubs Thackeray by deploying a heavy force along his motorcade route. The Shiv Sena attacks and lots of men die that day under the motorcade of the Vice President.

Thackrey is arrested for his role and the city erupts into riots. He is put in same cell as George Fernandes (Prakash Belawadi). Vasant Rao, CM of Maharashtra, buckles under orders from Morarji Desai and issues shoot at sight orders to bring Shiv Sena under control. The police commissioner requests Thackeray to bring Bombay back to normal and on his orders, Shiv Sainiks stop the violence and clean up the city. In 1969, Thackeray takes a decisive turn against communism. in 1970 he eliminates Keshav Desai, an ex-Shiv Sena member who started his own leftist political party. That year his party wins Corporation elections for the first time. In 1972 Thackeray famously slapped MD of Air India, Mr. Nanda, when he refused to give priority to local Marathis in the recruitment of Air India.

He starts the Vada Pav culture in Mumbai to get employment for the young people. He promotes education to build local talent and launches services for the poor. In 1975 Indra Gandhi declares emergency. Thackeray is pressured to merge the Shiv Sena with the Congress. He refuses. Indra flies to Bombay herself and meets Thackeray. Thackeray asserts that he is a nationalist and is only fighting for the rights of his people in their own state. Indra had 5 minutes for Thackeray but is so impressed with his views that the meeting goes on for 45 minutes. Thackeray manages to convince Indra to leave Shiv Sena alone and not merge with Congress, neither be banned.

In 1977, the Shiv Sena Bhawan is inaugurated. The same year Janta Party wins the national elections, due to popular discontent with the emergency. Thackeray meets the young CM of Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar. Morarji becomes PM. Morarji is anti Shiv Sena as he believes that Thackeray supported the emergency. Thackeray speaks for Hindu Muslim unity but then wants Muslims not to celebrate India defeats in cricket. This leads to Muslims inciting riots and killing policemen. in 1979 he starts the Hindutva movement. He wants to consolidate the Hindu vote to drive political power in the country.

In 1992 Shiv Sena plays a central role in demolition of the Babri Masjid. In retaliation, Muslims run riot in Mumbai. Thackeray unleashes the Sena on Muslims. He doesn't resent the faith, but the politics associated with it. In 1995 Javed Miadad meets Thackeray to petition him to restart cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. Thackeray refuses and in response digs up the pitch at Wankhede. In 1995, communal riots again break out in Mumbai. He escapes an assassination attempt. He fights the next Assembly polls and decides to rename Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar. Shiv Sena wins big and install Mahonar Joshi as the CM of the state.