Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani reunite for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, chronicling the birth of Indian cinema.
Bollywood’s powerhouse duo Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani are teaming up once again—this time for a film that pays tribute to the man who started it all. The two are joining hands for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema. The announcement was made on Thursday, and it’s already generating major buzz. After delivering hits like 3 Idiots and PK, Khan and Hirani are back with a story that dives deep into the roots of Indian filmmaking.
The project, which is yet to be titled, is expected to go on floors in October. Aamir Khan will begin preparing for the role after wrapping up his next release, Sitaare Zameen Par. The film promises to be more than just a retelling of history—it will trace Phalke’s inspiring journey of building Indian cinema from the ground up. “Set against the backdrop of the 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 official statement said.
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Dadasaheb Phalke, whose real name was Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, created India’s very first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913. He went on to make several iconic films like Lanka Dahan, Shri Krishna Janma, and Kaliya Mardan, laying the foundation for a new cultural movement. To honour his legacy, the Government of India introduced the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969, which remains the highest recognition in Indian cinema for lifetime achievement.
The script has been a long time in the making—four years, to be exact. Hirani has been working closely with frequent collaborator Abhijat Joshi, along with Hindukush Bharadwaj and Avishkar Bharadwaj, to shape the story. Phalke’s grandson, Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, has also been actively involved, offering personal stories and insights that are helping bring authenticity to the film. To recreate the look and feel of early 20th-century India, VFX studios based in Los Angeles have been brought in, using AI to design the period visuals. All signs point to a rich, powerful film that not only tells a historic tale but also celebrates the spirit of Indian cinema.