Aamir-Rajkumar Biopic on ‘Dadasaheb Phalke put on back burner
Aamir-Rajkumar
Biopic on ‘Dadasaheb Phalke put on back burner
The long-awaited collaboration amid Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani on a biopic of cinema pioneer Dadasaheb Phalke has been abruptly put on back burner.The project, announced with considerable fanfare earlier this year, was expected to go on floors in October 2025.
However sources reveal that creative differences have stalled its progress, leaving the film’s future uncertain.
As per reports, Aamir Khan recently sat through a detailed narration of the script by Hirani and long-time writing partner Abhijat Joshi. While the actor appreciated the research and the emotional weight of the story, he reportedly felt that the screenplay lacked the signature Hirani touch—a careful balance of humour, pathos, and drama that made their past collaborations 3 Idiots and PK such massive successes.
According to Insiders, Aamir Khan was particularly concerned on the absence of comedic elements, which, in his view, would have made the film more engaging for a theatrical audience.
A source also reveals that “Aamir wanted the narrative to have lighter moments that contrast the emotional gravitas of Phalke’s struggles. When that didn’t come through in the draft, he asked Hirani to go back and rework the script. Both Hirani and Joshi were taken aback by the feedback, and are now re-evaluating their options.
The setback has effectively paralysed the production timeline. Preparations were already underway—Los Angeles-based VFX teams had been roped in to recreate early 20th-century India using AI technology, while Phalke’s grandson had extended support, sharing personal stories and insights from family archives. Writers Hindukush and Avishkar Bhardwaj had reportedly spent four years shaping the screenplay.
Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, celebrated as the “father of Indian cinema,” directed Raja Harishchandra in 1913, India’s first full-length feature film. His contributions to cinema remain unmatched, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, instituted in 1969, continues to honour that legacy.
For fans, the biopic promised a fusion of history and cinema.
However, with Aamir already exploring new scripts across industries and Hirani weighing his next move, the project’s fate hangs in the balance.
News Edit KV Raman
