Amitabh Bachchan To Play Arun Gawli In Department?

While all talks are surrounding Sanjay Dutt when it comes to Department, surprisingly there isn’t much being said and heard about the prime attraction of the film – Amitabh Bachchan. However if insiders are to be believed, his part in the film is currently being kept under wraps and is said to be based on politician Arun Gawli.

“Arun Gawli is a politician who was earlier a dreaded gangster. He is pretty active in Maharashtra till date. Now Amitabh Bachchan has a similar characterisation as he playing the part of a gangster turned politician in Department. Similarities are too blatant to be ignored here”, comments an observer.

This isn’t the first time though that Big B is playing a real life figure. In Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar and Sarkar Raj, his character was clearly based on Bal Thackerey.

“When it comes to films centred on politics and underworld, Ramu’s characters time and again bear real life resemblance”, says a close associate, “Even Company had Ajay Devgan and Vivek Oberoi playing Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan respectively. Now Big B’s role as well as dress up etc. is clearly based on Arun Gawli.”

Expectedly though the director isn’t forthcoming about his inspiration here. Says RGV, “Amitji’s part is indeed that of a gangster turned politician. However it isn’t based on Arun Gawli. As for the similarities, all I can say is that I have researched on real life figures and incidents surrounding them. Mr. Bachchan plahs someone who is powerful and an intriguing personality. Rest is for the audience to find out.”

Guess that should be able to reveal the complete truth.