If Bollywood made a Tukaram Mundhe biopic, who could play Maharashtra’s ‘Real-Life Singham’? 

Bollywood has a long-standing fascination with the fearless officer. 

The Hindi cinema, over various films from Singham to Nayak, has made police officers and administrators larger-than-life figures, men who refuse to bend, take on powerful opponents and make the system sit up and take notice. 

But what if the inspiration for such a character already exists in real life? 

Tukaram Mundhe, an IAS officer from Maharashtra who has been part of the bureaucracy since 2005, has become a prominent figure after getting the appointment of FDA Commissioner of Maharashtra. The noteworthy detail in his appointment as FDA Commissioner is that it was his 25th posting after having served for around 21 years in various positions. The new position of FDA Commissioner has attracted the attention of many since it has been reported that the FDA has conducted more than 1,100 raids in two months. 

FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) has made a request to Maharashtra’s FDA (Food and Drug Administration) body to make surprise checks of catering services and food service being offered at locations of shooting of films, television and web series at various locations in Maharashtra. This request by FWICE comes in the wake of complaints relating to the quality of food and services being provided to the film, television and web series crew members. It must be noted that this is not about Mundhe conducting the inspections.  

With Mundhe’s real-life story already possessing several elements of a cinematic drama, here’s the more entertaining question: if Bollywood actually made a biopic about him, who could play him? 

Ajay Devgn: The obvious ‘Singham’ choice 

Let us start off with the actor that makes the comparisons to Mundhe unmissable. The actor has made the uncompromising officer one of his most recognizable characters. Mundhe’s biopic would surely need the actor to tone down the larger than life action hero in him (dramatic punches and whistle-worthy dialogues), and settle for the restrained approach instead of crazy stunts.  

Best suited for: A commercial, mainstream version of the story. 

Manoj Bajpayee: The man behind the officer

If the makers of the film would like to explore the man rather than his persona, Manoj Bajpayee could fit the bill real well. Mundhe’s journey from a farmer’s house in the dry Beed district of Maharashtra sets the right foundation for a character-driven movie. The officer would have been through a lot of transfers during his time in the civil services has gained himself a strict administrator reputation as well.  

Best suited for: A serious, character-driven biopic. 

Pankaj Tripathi: The understated Mundhe 

Pankaj Tripathi could be the unexpected choice. Instead of portraying Mundhe in a “heroic” manner, he might instead give him the persona of an administrator, whose personality can be marked by calmness, simplicity and authority, without relying on dramatic implementations of the character. That would definitely make the narrative interesting, as it has to be noted, that the true Mundhe is not a superhero – his influence comes from the authority of his office and the decisions he makes. 

Best suited for: A grounded, human portrayal. 

Kay Kay Menon: The cerebral administrator 

Kay Kay Menon would take the film in another direction. He is capable of portraying reflective, intelligent and complex personalities, which would be especially good for the film if the screenplay is focused on the bureaucracy and the workings of the administrator Mundhe.  

Best suited for: An intelligent political-bureaucratic drama. 

Jaideep Ahlawat: The gritty choice 

And then there’s Jaideep Ahlawat. If the filmmakers wanted Mundhe in a purely practical sense, they need someone like Ahlawat, who can bring a certain daring realism to the character. His casting would also take the film out of the realm of traditional Bollywood heroism and towards a more truthful portrayal. This is important because Mundhe’s life does not require made up drama; his journey is more than dramatic enough on its own thanks to his reported 25 transfers in as many years.  

Best suited for: A gritty, realistic biopic. 

So, who wins? 

Ajay Devgn would bring the star power. 

Manoj Bajpayee could bring the emotional depth. 

Pankaj Tripathi could bring the humanity. 

Kay Kay Menon could bring the cerebral edge. 

Jaideep Ahlawat could bring the rawness. 

But perhaps, the bigger question is not who will play Tukaram Mundhe. It is about stopping Bollywood from turning an IAS officer into just another fictional action hero. Because the most amazing version of this story will possibly be the one which happens to deal with bureaucracy as battleground, enforcement as action and the protagonist who does not need background score to make a point.  

After all, Bollywood has perfected the art of creating the fearless officers over the years.  

This time, it wouldn’t have to create one. It would simply have to cast him.