Aamir Khan And Rajkumar Hirani To Reunite For Biopic On Dadasaheb Phalke

Bollywood icon Aamir Khan is all set to team up once again with acclaimed filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani for a new cinematic venture — a biographical drama based on the life of Dadasaheb Phalke, the legendary pioneer of Indian cinema. The announcement was made by the makers on Thursday, sparking anticipation among cinephiles and industry insiders alike.

This yet-to-be-titled film will mark the third collaboration between Khan and Hirani, following their critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects 3 Idiots (2009) and PK (2014).

Film on Dadasaheb Phalke

As per the official statement, filming is expected to begin in October. Khan will dive into preparations for the role right after the release of his upcoming movie Sitaare Zameen Par.

According to the release, "Set against the backdrop of independence struggle, the story unfolds an extraordinary journey of an artist, who from scratch, against all odds, goes on to give birth to the largest indigenous film industry in the world."

The film’s script has been in development for four years, with Hirani co-writing it alongside his frequent collaborator Abhijat Joshi, and writers Hindukush Bharadwaj and Avishkar Bharadwaj.

In a significant gesture of support, Phalke’s grandson Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar has been actively involved in the process. The release noted that he "has been supportive of the project and has provided major anecdotes from Dadasaheb Phalke's life."

To bring early 20th-century India to life with authenticity, Los Angeles-based VFX studios have already begun crafting AI-generated designs for the film’s period settings, the makers added.

About Dadasaheb Phalke

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, fondly remembered as Dadasaheb Phalke, a visionary who laid the foundation for Indian cinema with his groundbreaking work. His 1913 film Raja Harishchandra is widely recognised as India's first full-length feature film. Some of his other acclaimed works include Lanka Dahan, Shri Krishna Janma, and Kaliya Mardan.

In honour of his monumental contribution to Indian filmmaking, the Government of India established the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969 — the country’s most prestigious award in cinema, presented annually at the National Film Awards to celebrate a lifetime of achievement in the industry.

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