Aamir, Not Jr NTR, Will Play Dadasaheb Phalke
Rajkummar Hirani pips SS Rajamouli to the post for biopic
In a twist to the plot in true filmy style, it looks like it is not ‘Man of the Masses’ Jr NTR, but the perfectionist Aamir Khan who will play the father of Indian cinema, Dada Saheb Phalke, in his biopic. The film will be helmed by Rajkummar Hirani and Abhijaat Joshi, who have collaborated on several hits such as Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots and PK in the past.
On Thursday morning, Rajkummar Hiran’s team issued a statement that the director, along with Joshi and two other writers, had been working on their Phalke script for over four years. “Filming is slated to begin from October 2025. Aamir Khan will start preparing for his part soon after the release of Sitaare Zameen Par,” the statement added.
The announcement comes hours after several reports said Jr NTR had been onboarded for SS Rajamouli and SS Karthikeya’s co-production Made In India, a tribute to the legacy of the pioneering filmmaker, directed by the National Award-winner Nitin Kakkar.
In September 2023 the RRR director had shared a video announcement about the film, and said, “Making a biopic is tough in itself, but conceiving one about the FATHER OF INDIAN CINEMA, is even more challenging. Our boys are ready and up to it, presenting MADE IN INDIA.” The director had revealed that Varun Gupta would also be a co-producer.
“Jr NTR has accepted the offer verbally. The formalities are yet to be completed,” said an informed source. The actor’s fascination for the project reportedly stems not only from the many stories about the pioneering filmmaker it tells, and his close relationship with Rajamouli and his son Karthikeya, but also from the chance it offers him to break away from his association with the action genre.
But now, the statement from the Hirani team says, “VFX studios from LA have already created AI designs for the era and period of the film.” It adds that Dadasaheb Phalke’s grandson, Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, has been supportive of the project and provided them with major anecdotes related to the thespian’s life.
Set against the backdrop of India’s Independence struggle, the story will follow the extraordinary journey of Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, best known as Dadasaheb Phalke.
Hirani on it for 4 years
Rajkummar Hiran’s team issued a statement that the director, along with Joshi and two other writers, had been working on their Phalke script for over four years. “Filming is slated to begin from October 2025. Aamir Khan will start preparing for his part soon after the release of Sitaare Zameen Par,” the statement added.
Rajamouli unveiled in 2023
In September 2023 the RRR director had shared a video announcement about the film, and said, “Making a biopic is tough in itself, but conceiving one about the FATHER OF INDIAN CINEMA, is even more challenging. Our boys are ready and up to it, presenting MADE IN INDIA.”
“Jr NTR has accepted the offer verbally. The formalities are yet to be completed,” said an informed source.
