Latest news with #RajaHarishchandra
India.com
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actress acted in 700 films, her own sister destroyed her married life by..., name is..
Long before she turned into one of Indian cinema's most feared on-screen mothers-in-law, Lalita Pawar was a nine-year-old girl on a silent film set. Her real name was Amba Laxman Rao Shagun. Legend has it she was born outside a temple — her mother in labour couldn't reach a hospital in time, so she arrived at the temple steps and was named Amba. She made her debut in Raja Harishchandra (1928), the same title as India's first silent film and back then, she wasn't just acting. Like most heroines of that era, she sang her songs too. Lalita wasn't typecast not yet typecast. She was doing romantic leads, singing, and holding her own. But destiny had other plans. How did a slap change the course of her life? It was during the shoot of Jung-e-Azadi that fate took a cruel turn. A co-actor, Bhagwan Dada, had to slap her for a scene — only, the slap wasn't fake. It landed hard, real, and damaging. Blood oozed from her ear. It wasn't just any injury. That one slap damaged a facial nerve, left her with partial paralysis, and robbed her of the one thing every actress depends on — her face. For two years, she was bedridden. Her flourishing lead career came to a brutal end. Offers dried up. The industry turned its back. Why did she return and what roles came her way? She did return but no longer as the heroine. Lalita Pawar was now cast in strong, often negative, supporting roles. She became the terrifying saas, the scheming mother-in-law, the hard-nosed matriarch. But even in these roles, her screen presence overpowered many a lead heroine. She turned into the gold standard for vamps, but off-screen, life wasn't far from a melodrama either. What betrayal hurt more than the slap? Her personal life carried its own twisted plot. Her husband, producer Ganpatrao Pawar, had an affair, with her own sister. It wasn't just an affair. He left Lalita and married the sister. Her home broke, and the betrayal wasn't cinematic, it was intimate and brutal. Lalita didn't spiral. She remarried filmmaker Raj Kumar Gupta and had a son named Jai. But even in this chapter, life wasn't kinder. What made Lalita Pawar's legacy unforgettable? Lalita went on to work in over 700 films across languages, a feat that landed her in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest acting career in Indian cinema, spanning nearly seven decades. No matter how small the screen time, she made every role her own. Whether it was Ramayan's Manthara or the saas who struck fear with a single glare, her presence was unforgettable. What was her final battle? After all the screen drama, her real-life ending was quietly tragic. She was diagnosed with oral cancer. On February 24, 1998, she passed away. There were no grand tributes, no flashbulbs. But the silence spoke volumes. Why does her story still matter? Because Lalita Pawar wasn't just a 'vamp' or 'character actress'. She was a woman who survived the worst, disfigurement, betrayal, public rejection, and still walked back onto sets, scene after scene, film after film. She turned bitterness into brilliance. Her pain never got in the way of her professionalism.
News18
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Aamir Khan To Begin Dadasaheb Phalke Biopic With Rajkumar Hirani: Report
Last Updated: Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani are teaming up for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema. Aamir will play the lead. Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani are all set to work together again, and this time, it's for a special project. They are shooting a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, the man known as the father of Indian cinema. According to reports, Aamir will be playing the lead role in the film, which will be directed by Hirani. This marks the third time the actor and director are teaming up. Their earlier films, 3 Idiots and PK, were big hits and loved for their mix of fun, emotions, and meaningful stories. The life of Dadasaheb Phalke is an important chapter in Indian film history. He made Raja Harishchandra, India's first full-length feature film, back in 1913. Telling his story on the big screen will be a big moment for Indian cinema. In a recent interview, Aamir responded when asked if humour would also find its place in the Phalke biopic. He said, 'I think Raju and Abhijat (Joshi, writer) have a special leaning towards comedy — and so do I. All three of us really like humour, and I think that's the genre Raju enjoys most: drama with humour. So this will probably fall into the same space." Filming for the much-anticipated Dadasaheb Phalke biopic is expected to kick off in October 2025. Aamir Khan will begin prepping for the role shortly after the release of his current film, Sitaare Zameen Par. According to reports, the team is leaving no stone unturned to ensure authenticity. FX studios in Los Angeles have already created AI-powered visual references to help recreate the time period of the story. Interestingly, the script has been in the works for over four years. It's being shaped by a talented writing team, including Rajkumar Hirani himself, along with Abhijat Joshi, Hindukush Bharadwaj, and Avishkar Bharadwaj. Meanwhile, Sitaare Zameen Par is a sports comedy drama film produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit. Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra and Simran Mangeshkar will make their Hindi cinema debut with the film. The film also boasts a strong supporting cast with seasoned performers like Dolly Ahluwalia, Gurpal Singh, Brijendra Kala, and Ankita Sehgal. The story centres on Gulshan, a former star basketball coach portrayed by Aamir Khan, who is ordered to coach a group of neurodivergent children as part of his community service following a DUI offence. What starts off as a begrudging assignment soon evolves into a life-changing experience for both him and the team. Genelia Deshmukh plays Sunita, Gulshan's supportive wife. First Published:
Time of India
26-06-2025
- 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
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dadasaheb Phalke biopic controversy: Grandson criticises SS Rajamouli's approach, endorses Aamir's biopic
The race for the Dadasaheb Phalke biopic has intensified following the official announcement on Thursday that Aamir Khan is reuniting with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani for a feature film on the legendary filmmaker. Interestingly, this news dropped just a day after fresh speculation emerged that Jr NTR would be portraying Dadasaheb Phalke in a separate project directed by SS Rajamouli . While Rajamouli first hinted at a Dada-saheb Phalke biopic, titled, Made in India , in 2023, the project has come under scrutiny from Phalke's grandson, Chandrashekhar Shrikrishna Pusalkar , who expressed disappointment over not being consulted. In an interview with Amar Ujala, he voiced his support for the Aamir Khan-Rajkumar Hirani film, saying, 'Assistant producer Hindu Kush Bhardwaj had been in regular contact with me for over three years. And He used to reach out with queries, visit various places related to Phalke's life, and I truly value and cherish their effort and research. I've given them my consent. I'd also love to see Vidya Balan play the role of Phalke's wife,' said Pusalkar. In September 2023, Rajamouli announced Made in India , a biopic about Dadasaheb Phalke — revered as the father of Indian cinema — with Nitin Kakkar attached as director. On Thursday, speculation emerged that Jr. NTR might star as Phalke, the filmmakers however did not make any official announcement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ranger Sees Strange Creature On Riverbank. He Says, 'Oh My God,' When He Realizes What It Really Is Cleverst Undo Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli On Thursday, Aamir Khan announced that he is reuniting with director Rajkumar Hirani, to portray Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, in an upcoming biopic. The film will begin work after wrapping Sitaare Zameen Par . Who is Dadasaheb Phalke ? Dadasaheb Phalke was a pioneering filmmaker, credited with creating India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913. Revered as the Father of Indian Cinema, his legacy laid the foundation for the vast Indian film industry. "Nobody from Rajamouli's team approached me till now. If someone is working on a biopic, the family should be contacted for consent and facts. But no one from their team has reached out yet." 121236223
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Dadasaheb Phalke's grandson backs Aamir Khan for biopic, says SS Rajamouli ‘never contacted' him for it
Actor Aamir Khan recently announced that he is currently working with director Rajkumar Hirani on a biopic of the legendary Dadasaheb Phalke. Fans are excited to see the duo reunite after such a long time; their last project together was PK, in 2014. Another individual who is rather excited about the biopic is Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, the grandson of Dadsaheb Phalke. In a recent interview, he expressed his excitement for the project and claimed that Aamir Khan is better suited for the job than filmmaker SS Rajamouli, who had also announced a Phalke biopic with Jr NTR as the lead. Pusalkar was rather disappointed with Rajamouli, and told Amar Ujala in an interview, 'I have been hearing discussions about Rajamouli's project, but he never contacted me for it. No one spoke to me on behalf of Rajamouli. If someone is making a film on Phalke ji, then at least the family should be talked to. The family cannot be ignored; it's we who know the real stories.' On the other hand, he was quite appreciative of Aamir and Hirani, who, according to him, 'worked hard to gain his trust'. ALSO READ: Aamir Khan's girlfriend Gauri Spratt avoids paps as she waits for the actor to arrive at the airport, shifts seats later. Watch 'Aamir-Hirani's team worked hard to gain trust. Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani's project was a surprise for me too. I just got to know that they have tied the knot, but their assistant producer, Hindukush Bhardwaj, has been in touch with me for the last three years. He used to come to meet me again and again, do research, and ask for details. I told him clearly, You guys are working honestly; you go ahead; I have no objection,' said Pusalkar. Aamir's team rolled out a statement that they will be beginning work on the project after the release of Sitaare Zameen Par and that the project has been in development for four years. 'Rajkumar Hirani with Abhijat Joshi and two other writers, Hindukush Bharadwaj and Avishkar Bharadwaj, have been working on this script for the last 4 years. Dadasaheb Phalke's grandson, Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, has been supportive of the project and has provided major anecdotes from Dadasaheb Phalke's life.' Pulsalkar also added that Hirani and Aamir should approach actor Vidya Balan to play the role of his grandmother Saraswatibai Phalke. Dadasaheb Phalke directed India's first feature film, Raja Harishchandra. The country's highest honour for cinema is named after him.
