Coming soon: Film to bring Thackeray feud on screen

The Thackeray family feud and the two warring cousins have formed the basis of yet another Marathi movie.

The Thackeray family feud and the two warring cousins have formed the basis of yet another Marathi movie. 2014 Raj Ka Ran,which calls upon them to join forces for the next Assembly elections,will be released on June 10.

After Zenda,this is the second Marathi film in two years to be inspired by the family of the Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. The plot of 2014 Raj Ka Ran revolves around an aging Kakasaheb,a legendary political personality,and the fight between cousins Uddesh and Raj to be recognised as his rightful heir. The film portrays the confusion and tension of the workers of the two political parties Samarth Sena and Maharashtra Nav Maha Sena that these two leaders head.

Sagar Pathak,who developed the concept and is the writer,says that the script reflects the opinions he has seen around him and his personal experience. Hailing from a family in the construction business but with strong political leanings,Pathak says that he has experienced closely the fallout of the splitting of votes between the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Pathak says that two of his cousins are into politics and support the two parties. Both fought hard during the elections in 2009 in Sangli,but lost as the votes were split,he said.

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Though the film has fictional characters,they resemble the life and story of the Sena chiefs family. The movie is a reflection of peoples feeling and sentiment regarding the two parties. Everyone has seen what happened because the votes split. The movie scripts that emotion and I hope it will appeal to the public, says Pathak.

Veteran actor Ramesh Deo is playing the role of Kakasaheb,while Sudesh Mhashalikar plays Uddeshsinh Nagare and Prasad Oak plays Raj. It is the first film to be produced by Abhay Pathak,an architect involved in the construction business in Sangli. The film was shot in Kolhapur,Sangli and Mumbai.

I am a fan of Raj Thackeray and was extremely eager to play his role. I have watched videos of his speeches several times and met him to study the mannerisms, said Oak.

Former Shiv Sainik Satish Valanju,who along with his friends,launched a movement attempting to get Uddhav and Raj to join forces,said the movie was another reflection of peoples opinion. The movie yet again presents what people are expecting from the cousins. People hope they come together so that votes do not split. I have seen the preview of the movie and it presents the picture in a real good manner, said Valanju.