Mahesh Manjrekar forays into dangerous territory by planning a project on current Maharashtra (MNS and Shiv Sena) politics

Mahesh Manjrekar is planning a controversial and colourful film that is bound to stir a hornet's nest. He has scripted a scathing commentary on present-day Maharashtra politics, encompassing the whole gamut ranging from staunch regionalism to the anti-migrants' policy.

The film, titled Buddhi Bal, will spare no politician or political party. The director will cast theatre actors who resemble real-life politicians. He has already zeroed in on artistes who bear a striking resemblance to Bal Thackeray, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray.

Playing games
The prolific director-actor is not the least fearful of offending the powers-that-be in Maharashtra.

"My film is not judgemental about Maharashtra politics. I am fascinated by the entire spectrum of politicians and their chess-like maneuvers in the state.

Everyone is playing a game of one-upmanship. There are no real issues that bother politicians in Maharashtra. Every issue is raised for the vote bank. That's why I've called my film Buddhi Bal which is the Marathi word for chess."

The project also makes scathing comments on MNS activities against poor migrants from Bihar and UP. Manjrekar has been researching the hard-hitting political drama for months. He will roll the film in October.

Says Manjrekar, "I've selected actors who resemble the politicians. This makes the task of making audiences empathise with actors much easier. I don't have to spend time in explaining family trees."

About the possibility of certain powerful political forces taking offence, he says, "I've never feared repercussions. If I did, I wouldn't have made films like Vaastav, Astitva and The Struggler. The distributors thought I was mad."

Not afraid
Buddhi Bal will be in Marathi. "It has to be as I can't make a film on Marathi politicians in any other language." But it will have an all-India release. "I think the element of identification would be very strong for the audience."

Manjrekar's all-time favourite Sachin Khedekar will act in the film.