Before we became movie buffs, did we ever wonder who made the first Indian film — and how? Filmmakers SS Rajamouli and Rajkumar Hirani are answering that overlooked question with their respective takes on the life of Dadasaheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema. Last week, Aamir Khan announced his reunion with Hirani — after 3 Idiots (2009) and PK (2014) — to make a biopic on Phalke with writer Abhijat Joshi and two others. Meanwhile, reports suggest Rajamouli has approached Jr NTR to play Phalke in a parallel project.

Though both films draw from Phalke’s life, they offer sharply different interpretations. A source reveals that Khan has the backing of the Phalke family and has been in discussion for over three years. “Aamir’s film is about the man behind the myth — his dreams, struggles, and absolute belief in cinema. It’s deeply human, emotional, and character-driven,” the source shares.