Industry insiders say SS Rajamouli and Rajkumar Hirani present two sides of cinematic legend Dadasaheb Phalke with Aamir Khan and Jr NTR stepping into the role
SS Rajamouli, Jr NTR, Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani
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.
In contrast, the Rajamouli-backed version, directed by Filmistaan (2012) filmmaker Nitin Kakkar, presents a wider lens. “This is more about the world Phalke built. Nitin’s version is about how a cultural movement began, with Phalke as the catalyst,” another insider explains. Industry watchers say the two films will coexist harmoniously, much like the varied takes on Gandhi. “Both can complement each other. While release timelines remain unclear, it seems Aamir’s film will come first. There is also ample excitement for the other film, which will be a multilingual project,” notes the source.
Who is Dadasaheb Phalke?
Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, widely known as Dadasaheb Phalke, was an Indian producer, director, and screenwriter, hailed as the Father of Indian Cinema. He released India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913. Over a 19-year career until 1937, he made 94 feature films and 27 shorts. The Indian government later honoured him by instituting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest accolade in Indian cinema.
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