Nawazuddin Siddiqui lashes out at those criticising him for playing Bal Thackeray
When it was announced that Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a Muslim actor born and raised in Uttar Pradesh, had been roped in to play late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray in Abhijit Panse’s Thackeray, several eyebrows were raised. It is no secret that Bal Thackeray was known not only for his Hindu fundamentalist views, but also his hostility towards migrants from the North, particularly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Nawazuddin faced a lot of flak from netizens, including his Gangs Of Wasseypur co-star Richa Chadha who called him “bipolar” for taking on the role. However, the actor remains unfazed by all the criticism coming his way.
In an interview , Nawazuddin said, “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.”
The actor also urged detractors to look at the “other side” of things. “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?” he asked.
“If I am born in a certain community then how am I responsible for that? It’s not something that we get out of choice. I am proud of who I am and I think the least we all could do is at least appreciate Shiv Sena for having a progressive approach and choosing me to play their idol irrespective of my religious background. They only saw an artist in me. But logon ka kya,” Nawazuddin added.
Thackeray is slated to hit the theatres on January 25.
