Filmmakers have never shied away from making a movie on the life of figures they think audiences would be intrigued to know more about. Here's a list.
Cinema always liked telling a good story and thus, biopics tend to find a special place in the film industry. All about telling an inspiring tale about a personality who has achieved great heights in his/her lifetime, biopics, which are but a dramatised version of a non-fictional, historically placed person, offer audiences a glimpse into lesser-known details of a figure they might be looking up to in real life or have heard motivational stories about.
While biopics maybe one of the most favourite ways of getting lost in a story, they certainly are films with the same formulaic approach. However, what sets them apart from each other is the fact that each story is a different tale of hard work, perseverance and success. And so, filmmakers have never shied away from making a film on the life and times of figures they think the audiences would be intrigued to know more about.
So, we had had several biopics made in the past which have done really well at the box office and even received critical acclaim such as 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', 'Mary Kom', 'Dangal' among others.
So, here's a look at all the upcoming Bollywood biopics that one must look forward to.
1. Major Dhyan Chand
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On Tuesday, RSVP films announced that 'Sonchiriya' producer Ronnie Screwvala and director Abhishek Chaubey will be coming together to bring the life and times of the legendary hockey player on the big screen. As per reports, Supratik Sen and Abhishek, who have been writing the screenplay for over a year, have zeroed in on it but are yet to finalise the star cast for the upcoming film.
Dhyan Chand celebrated as 'The Wizard' represented the Indian hockey team from 1925 to 1949, scoring over 1500 goals in the 185 matches he played as a centre forward during his international career, which includes three Olympic Gold Medal wins in 1928,1932 and 1936. He was felicitated with the Padma Bhushan in 1956 and his birth anniversary on August 29, is celebrated as the National Sports Day.
The sports-drama will hit the floors in 2021 and the makers are eyeing a theatre release in 2022.
2. Ishaan Khatter to play Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta in 'Pippa'
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Ishaan Khatter is all set to star in a biopic titled Pippa based on the life and times of Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta. The film will be based on the book of the war hero who fought against Pakistan in the 1971 war. Titled The Burning Chaffees, the book released in 2016, and the film Pippa will be helmed by Airlift director Raja Krishna Menon. Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur have joined hands to produce the flick.
3. Vicky Kaushal as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw
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On the 11th death anniversary of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw it was announced that filmmaker Meghna Gulzar will be directing a biopic on the Indian military leader with actor Vicky Kaushal playing the lead role.
Talking about casting Vicky in the leading role, Meghna told Mumbai Mirror, "We wanted to finish the edit on the draft first before reaching out to an actor. One day, I just called up Vicky, who happened to be nearby and invited him over for a cold coffee. We had a conversation about Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. He was about to fly to the US and said that he doesn’t want to read the script and would just do the film. But I insisted that he read it and call me."
On being quizzed about shooting plans, the filmmaker replied, "We will start shooting in 2021, which is good for all of us because it needs that much prep time as we have the Partition, accession of Kashmir, and the 1971 Indo-Pak war to cover in the narrative."
4. Alia Bhatt as 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'
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Gangubai Kathiawadi is being directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and this is his first collaboration with actress Alia Bhatt who plays the titular role. The male lead of the much-awaited flick is yet to be announced. For the film, Alia is leaving no stone unturned in getting into the skin of her character. She has been learning Hindi and Marathi cuss words too. Gangubai Katiawadi was slated to release on September 11, 2020. The new release date of the film is yet to be announced.
5. Kangana Ranaut's 'Thalaivi'
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'Thalaivi' is a biopic directed by AL Vijay on the life of politician-actor J Jayalalithaa, who was lovingly also called 'Amma'.
Earlier during an interaction with The Hindu, Kangana spoke at length about Jayalalithaa. She stated, "She (Jayalalithaa) was a different kind of actor. She was not like me. She was a more a glamorous star... somebody like an Aishwarya Rai in Bollywood. It was a very big challenge to fit into those shoes because I’m not known as a glamorous star."
She added, "I do feel that there are similarities. She was a very reluctant actor. It is the same with me. I never wanted to be an actor, and that is why we became very unusual actors. I think she always felt that she was worth much more than just being a glam doll [in films], and she became a politician. Like how I became a filmmaker because I felt that being an actress was very limiting for me. So, I think there are parallels."
6. Ajay Devgn's 'Maidaan'
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Inspired by the true story of Syed Abdul Rahim, ‘Maidaan’ will showcase the journey of one of the finest coaches that emerged from India, the one who put India on the global map.
Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma of Badhai Ho fame, the film also features National award-winning actress Priyamani, Gajraj Rao who created magic with 'Badhai Ho'. It also features the well-known Bengali actor Rudranil Ghosh.
Produced by Zee Studios, Boney Kapoor, Akash Chawla, and Arunava Joy Sengupta, the screenplay and dialogues are written by Saiwyn Quadras and Ritesh Shah respectively. The film was previously set to release on August 13, 2021.
7. Sidharth Malhotra in 'Shershah'
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Directed by Vishnuvardhan and produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, 'Shershaah' chronicles the story of Kargil war hero Param Vir Chakra Captain Vikram Batra, who sacrificed his life for the nation in 1999. Actor Sidharth Malhotra will be playing the titular role.
8. Vicky Kaushal as Sardar Udham Singh
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Vicky Kaushal is all set to be seen as revolutionary Udham Singh in the film titled Sardar Udham being directed by Shoojit Sircar. For the uninitiated, Udham Singh was the one who assassinated General Michael O' Dwyer for ruthless Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919. The shooting for the film took place in Russia, London, parts of Ireland Germany and also India. Vicky's first look from the sets was also unveiled by the makers last year.
The film is expected to hit theatres on January 15, 2021.
9. Richa Chadha's 'Shakeela'
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Starring Richa Chadha in the titular role, 'Shakeela' chronicles the life of the South siren and 90s adult star. Shakeela was touted to be a force to reckon with and her personality went beyond her erotic image. She was a figure of power and spunk at a time when female actors were treated as arm candies by superstars.
The film, directed by Indrajit Lankesh, also stars Pankaj Tripathi and Malayalam actor Rajeev Pillai.
10. Parineeti's Saina Nehwal biopic
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Parineeti Chopra will essay the role of ace badminton shuttler and former World No 1 Saina Nehwal in an upcoming biopic directed by Amole Gupte.
11. Taapsee Pannu's 'Shabaash Mithu'
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After playing an elderly shooter in 'Saand Ki Aankh', Taapsee Pannu is all set to play women's cricket captain Mithali Raj in 'Shabaash Mithu' directed by Rahul Dholakia. The film is expected to release on February 5, 2021.
