Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's saga on celluloid with `Zhenda`

Mumbai: `Zhenda` (Flag), Marathi singer Avdhut Gupte`s directorial debut captures the saga of rival political parties -Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on celluloid.The promotional clippings show characters resembling Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, his estranged nephew and MNS chief Raj Thackeray and the "old hand" with rudraksh beads depicting the Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray.

Promos suggest that the political backdrop depicted in the film revolves around the Thackeray family feud which resulted in the split in the Sena and the formation of MNS. The film releases on January 8, 2010 and is produced and directed by Gupte. Gupte, who is close to both Uddhav and Raj, has also composed music for the film and written the story. Gupte said that the movie did not revolve around a political party and instead looks at the impact of political developments in the common man`s life. "The film`s story revolves around four Marathi young men and how a political development impacts their lives," he said. He said the story dwells on the dreams and aspirations of four young men who are bound by the thread of politics. "In Maharashtra, even if the common man is not directly connected to politics, his life is impacted by the developments... directly or indirectly," Gupte said. Rajesh Shringarpure, who was seen in the role of a politician in Ram Gopal Varma`s "Sarkar Raj", Pushkar Shotri, Chinmay Mandlekar and Srirang Godbole who is the executive producer of "Harishchandrachi Factory" comprise the cast of the film. PTI