Latest news with #Pusalkar
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dadasaheb Phalke's grandson reveals no producer was interested in biopic until Rajkumar Hirani came on board: ‘I'm sure Aamir Khan will do justice to my grandfather's role'
While Dadasaheb Phalke's contributions to Indian cinema are revered today, the story of how he made India's first feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), nearly went untold on the big screen. According to his grandson Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, despite years of research by writers Hindukush Bharadwaj and his son Avishkar, the project initially struggled to find backers. '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,' Pusalkar told Mid-day. It was filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani who eventually saw value in the story and felt it was essential to honour the man often referred to as the 'Father of 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,' Pusalkar shared, adding that the acclaimed director was clear that this wasn't about profit but legacy. Set against the independence era, with Aamir Khan in the lead The biopic, which will be headlined by Aamir Khan, is set against the backdrop of India's independence movement and will trace how Phalke transitioned from being a curious onlooker to a pioneering filmmaker. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40세 넘고 PC만 있으면? 이 게임 완전 내 거임! Hero Wars 플레이하기 Undo Shooting for the film is expected to begin in January 2026. The script will chronicle not just Phalke's filmmaking journey but also his childhood in Trimbak near Nashik and the pivotal moment when he saw The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ. 'He thought, why shouldn't our culture, gods, and goddesses be shown? That's how Raja Harishchandra happened,' said Pusalkar. Equally significant is the role of Saraswatibai Phalke, his second wife, in the story. 'My grandmother gave him her jewellery to help him go to London. She would sit in on the film's editing and help him with reflectors on outdoor shoots,' he recalled. Pusalkar expressed his joy over Aamir Khan taking on the titular role. 'He does everything with dedication and passion, and he will play Dadasaheb Phalke with the same sincerity. I'm sure he will do justice to my grandfather's role.' Aamir Khan Meets President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan for Special Screening The origin of 'Phalke'—a name rooted in service Interestingly, the surname 'Phalke' was not the family's original name. 'Our family's surname is Bhatt,' revealed Pusalkar. 'My grandfather's ancestors used to supply cut banana leaves to the Peshwa kings for serving food, and that process was called making 'phalke' in Marathi. That led to the name.' While SS Rajamouli and Jr NTR have also announced a film on Phalke, the Aamir-Hirani collaboration has already stirred major buzz as one of the most anticipated biopics in the making.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dadasaheb Phalke's grandson Chandrashekhar Pusalkar slams SS Rajamouli's team, praises Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani's respectful biopic approach
and filmmaker recently made a surprise announcement that they are reuniting after over a decade for a biopic on , the revered 'Father of Indian Cinema'. Within minutes, reports emerged that SS Rajamouli was also working on a project on Phalke, with likely to play the lead. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, what was meant to be a celebratory moment for Indian cinema has now turned into a conversation about ethics, respect, and representation. Dadasaheb Phalke's grandson, Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar , has openly criticized Rajamouli's team for failing to reach out to the family. 'Rajamouli never contacted me for the biopic,' Pusalkar said, adding that no one from the filmmaker's team made any effort to speak with the family. 'If someone is making a film on Phalke ji, then at least the family should be talked to,' he told Amar Ujala. Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan's team earns family's confidence In stark contrast, Pusalkar praised Aamir and Hirani for handling the sensitive subject with diligence and transparency. He revealed that their assistant producer Hindukush Bhardwaj had been in touch with him for three years, regularly visiting and gathering information. According to Pusalkar, this consistent engagement and honest effort helped the team earn his confidence. 'Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani's project was a surprise for me too. But their team worked hard to gain trust. I told them clearly—You guys are working honestly, you go ahead. I have no objection.' Grandson puts faith in Aamir's intent Pusalkar also vouched for Aamir's sincerity and Rajkumar Hirani's storytelling prowess. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'If Aamir Khan is doing this role then I am very happy... Whatever work he does, he does it with complete honesty,' he said. 'Along with him, there is also a director like Rajkumar Hirani, who has done excellent work in the past.' He confirmed that the family was consulted at every step, from research to site visits, and called the collaboration 'a good thing', as it kept the family involved in the project's shaping. Aamir Khan's New Role in Sitaare Zameen Par Shoot begins in October 2025 The Aamir-Hirani film is set to go on floors in October 2025. The actor will begin prep once Sitaare Zameen Par releases. Backed by extensive research and development, the script has been co-written by Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, Hindukush Bharadwaj, and Avishkar Bharadwaj over four years. The team has even brought in a VFX studio from Los Angeles to design AI-powered visual recreations of the era Phalke lived in. Rajamouli's Made In India promises a tribute but skips consultation In contrast, SS Rajamouli's biopic, tentatively titled Made In India, is being touted as a tribute to the origins of Indian cinema. It is reportedly not a straightforward biopic but a cinematic journey that highlights the evolution of Indian film through Dadasaheb Phalke's contributions. The film was announced in 2023. Jr NTR is expected to sign the project after hearing the narration.
