The Dadasaheb Phalke Biopic: Aamir Khan & Rajkumar Hirani’s Risky Leap into History?

Bollywood is buzzing with excitement as Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani gear up for their third cinematic outing together. After delivering massive hits with 3 Idiots (2009) and PK (2014), the actor-director duo is now stepping into uncharted territory, a biopic on Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, better known as Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema.

The yet-to-be-titled film is slated to begin shooting in October 2025, and Khan will dive into preparations after the release of his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par. But this isn’t just another collaboration; it marks a striking departure from the comedy-with-a-message formula the duo has mastered. Instead, this time they’re setting their sights on a layered, historical drama, a significant creative risk for both.

A Journey into the Roots of Indian Cinema

Dadasaheb Phalke is a monumental figure in India’s cultural history. His pioneering work Raja Harishchandra (1913) is celebrated as India’s first full-length feature film, laying the foundation for what is now one of the largest film industries in the world. The upcoming film will reportedly explore Phalke’s journey against the backdrop of India’s freedom struggle, focusing on the grit, creativity, and vision that helped him build an indigenous cinema movement from scratch.

Hirani, along with his frequent collaborator Abhijat Joshi and writers Hindukush Bharadwaj and Avishkar Bharadwaj, has reportedly been developing the script for over four years. With Dadasaheb Phalke’s grandson, Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, contributing personal anecdotes, the film is expected to offer a deeply human and nuanced portrait of a man who changed the course of Indian storytelling forever.

A Much-Needed Reinvention?

Hirani and Khan are known for their distinct brand of cinema, emotionally resonant stories wrapped in satire and comedy. From 3 Idiots’ critique of India’s education system to PK’s exploration of religion and belief, their films have always struck a chord with the masses while delivering strong social messages. However, a biopic set in the early 1900s, rich in historical detail and devoid of their usual comic flair, is a new kind of beast.

The challenge here is twofold. For Hirani, this is his first period film—a genre that demands intensive research, visual accuracy, and a fine balance between drama and authenticity. While he did make Sanju, a biopic on actor Sanjay Dutt, it dealt with a contemporary figure with ample public footage and material. In contrast, Phalke’s life and times require a leap of imagination, reconstruction, and cinematic craftsmanship.

Aamir Khan, on the other hand, is no stranger to period dramas. He has previously starred in Lagaan, Mangal Pandey, and Thugs of Hindostan, with varying levels of critical and commercial success. While Lagaan turned out to be a modern classic, others like Thugs of Hindostan failed to leave an impact. For Khan, portraying a real-life legend like Phalke will be both a test of his acting depth and his commitment to detail, a quality he is well-known for.

This project comes at a time when both Khan and Hirani are looking to re-establish their creative momentum. Hirani’s last outing Dunki with Shah Rukh Khan didn’t perform as expected, raising questions about his evolving style in a rapidly changing film industry. Aamir too is in the midst of a career recalibration post the mixed reactions to his recent films. Sitaare Zameen Par is being looked at as a comeback, but it is this biopic that could truly redefine his legacy if done right.

If executed with care, this film has the potential to be a landmark tribute to Indian cinema itself, showcasing not just the man, but the movement that birthed Bollywood. With a story that captures a defining chapter in India’s cultural and political journey, it could become more than just a film; it could be an essential viewing experience for anyone who loves cinema.

The Aamir-Hirani collaboration on the Dadasaheb Phalke biopic is as ambitious as it is risky. Venturing beyond their comfort zones of contemporary satire, they now aim to deliver a period drama that is both emotionally stirring and historically resonant. While the pressure is immense, so is the promise. With a powerful story, a legendary subject, and two of Bollywood’s finest minds at the helm, this is one project to watch out for.

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