Nawazuddin Siddiqui says Shiv Sena was 'progressive' to not consider his religion while casting him as Bal Thackeray

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who will play Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray in the forthcoming biopic titled Thackeray , said that instead of broadening their thoughts, people’s minds are getting narrower by the day, in response to the communal backlash over casting of a Muslim actor in the role of Thackeray. [caption id=“attachment_5793451” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a still from Thackeray trailer. YouTube screengrab[/caption] In an interaction with Times Now, Nawazuddin said that as an actor, he would do any role. He also congratulated Shiv Sena for their “progressive approach” of casting Siddiqui in the role of Bal Thackeray irrespective of his religious background. “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? 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.” Nawazuddin told the channel. Thackeray is scheduled to release on 25 January.