Isn’t the story of how Dadasaheb Phalke made India’s first feature film worth chronicling on the big screen? Most would say yes in a heartbeat. As did superstar Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who are teaming up for a biopic on Phalke, considered the Father of Indian cinema. It has quickly become one of the most talked about projects, but Phalke’s grandson Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar reveals that initially, there were no takers for the story. 
     
“Hindukush Bharadwaj and his son Avishkar did extensive research and wrote the script over the last four years. They had approached many producers earlier, but nobody was willing to take it on. The producers felt the story didn’t have the masala of a mainstream entertainer,” recalls Pusalkar. It was Hirani who saw merit in telling the story of the man who started it all for Indian cinema. “Mr Hirani said it was our duty to make a film on the man who put Indian cinema on the world map, and because of him, we have rozi-roti. He also said that his intention with the film wasn’t to make profit, but for people all over the world to know about Dadasaheb Phalke.” Interestingly, SS Rajamouli and Jr NTR have also announced a movie on the visionary.

Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar and Rajkumar Hirani

Pusalkar reveals that work on the Khan-led biopic is on in full swing. “I have heard that the shoot will start from January 2026,” he shares.