Shocking twist in Sourav Ganguly biopic! DOP Pratik Shah ousted after sexual misconduct claims

The much-awaited biopic on cricket legend Sourav Ganguly has hit a major roadblock even before going on floors. Director Vikramaditya Motwane and the film’s team have reportedly dropped cinematographer Pratik Shah from the project following serious allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women. The film, which will see acclaimed actor Rajkummar Rao portraying the former Indian cricket captain, is currently in its pre-production stage.

According to a report by Hollywood Reporter India, the decision was taken after several allegations against Shah surfaced online. He had recently returned from a recce in London for the film when the controversy broke. A source close to the production revealed, “The recce was on till recently, and Shah was in London for the same. Allegations against him surfaced just around the time he returned to India. The makers have dropped him from the project and will now naturally look for a replacement before beginning production.”

The controversy began when filmmaker Abhinav Singh took to Instagram with a cryptic warning to women about a “highly manipulative” and “emotionally abusive” cinematographer. While he did not initially name anyone, Singh later confirmed it was Pratik Shah after receiving several messages from women with similar experiences.

Shah, who previously collaborated with Motwane on projects like CTRL and the period drama Jubilee, was also the cinematographer for Homebound, a Dharma Productions film that recently created a buzz at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, received a standing ovation at Cannes and was the only Indian film selected for the prestigious Un Certain Regard section.

Following the allegations, Dharma Productions issued an official statement clarifying that no formal complaints had been made against Shah during the shoot of Homebound. However, the timing of the controversy has cast a shadow over the film’s otherwise historic run on the international stage.

With the Ganguly biopic still in early stages, the team is now on the lookout for a new director of photography. Despite the setback, fans remain excited about the project, especially with Rajkummar Rao stepping into the shoes of one of India’s most iconic cricketers.