Latest news with #RajaHarishchandra
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.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani reuniting for ‘pioneer of Indian cinema' Dadasaheb Phalke's biopic
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani are reuniting for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema, the makers announced on Thursday. This feature film will mark a third collaboration between Khan and Hirani after "3 Idiots" (2009) and "PK" (2014). According to a press release, the filming on the currently untitled project will begin in October and the actor will start preparing for the role after the release of his latest film "Sitaare Zameen Par". Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, better known as Dadasaheb Phalke, was a pioneering figure of Indian cinema. He directed 1913's "Raja Harishchandra", regarded as India's first feature film. His other notable films include "Lanka Dahan", "Shri Krishna Janma", and "Kaliya Mardan". In 1969, the government of India instituted the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, in Phalke's memory. The award is presented annually at the National Film Awards to honour lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. "Set against the backdrop of independence struggle, the story unfolds an extraordinary journey of an artist, who from scratch, against all odds, goes on to give birth to the largest indigenous film industry in the world," the release further stated. Hirani, his frequent collaborator Abhijat Joshi and writers Hindukush Bharadwaj and Avishkar Bharadwaj have been working on the script of the film for the last four years, it said. According to the release, Phalke's grandson Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar has "been supportive of the project and has provided major anecdotes from Dadasaheb Phalke's life". Los Angeles-based VFX studios have already created AI designs for the era and period of the film, it added.
India.com
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Aamir Khan And Rajkumar Hirani Set To Make Dadasaheb Phalke Biopic!
New Delhi: The legendary Dadasaheb Phalke known as the 'Father of Indian cinema'. His debut film, Raja Harishchandra, was the first Indian movie released in 1913, and is now known as India's first full-length mythological feature film. The highest revered film award is also constituted in his memory by the government of India. Dadasaheb Phalke's story is something that the nation needs to see on the screen and now looks like soon everyone will. Aamir Khan-Raj Kumar Hirani Collab Aamir Khan will start preparing for his part soon after the release of Sitaare Zameen Par. VFX studios from LA has already created AI designs for the era and period of the film. Filming is slated to begin from October 2025. Noted film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared: #BreakingNews... AAMIR KHAN - RAJKUMAR HIRANI REUNITE FOR BIOPIC ON DADASAHEB PHALKE... #AamirKhan and director #RajkumarHirani are joining forces once again, this time for a biopic on #DadasahebPhalke, the father of #Indian cinema. Set against the backdrop of #India's independence struggle, the film will chronicle the extraordinary journey of the man who laid the foundation of #Indian cinema. With a script that has been in the works for four years, #AamirKhan is set to begin prep soon after the release of #SitaareZameenPar... Shoot begins Oct 2025. #BreakingNews... AAMIR KHAN - RAJKUMAR HIRANI REUNITE FOR BIOPIC ON DADASAHEB PHALKE... #AamirKhan and director #RajkumarHirani are joining forces once again, this time for a biopic on #DadasahebPhalke, the father of #Indian cinema. Set against the backdrop of #India's… — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 15, 2025 Dadasaheb Phalke Biopic Set against the backdrop of independence struggle, the story unfolds an extraordinary journey of an artist, who from scratch, against all odds, goes on to give birth to the largest indigenous film industry in the world. 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. It has been learnt that Dadasaheb Phalke's grandson, Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar has been supportive of the project and has provided major anecdotes from Dadasaheb Phalke's life. Moreover, coming from the director-actor duo who gave us cult classics and biggest successes of all time like 3 Idiots and PK, Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan, this film is poised to set to be a buzzmaker.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
History Today: When India's first movie 'Raja Harishchandra' premiered on the big screen
It was on May 3, 1913, that Indian cinema came into existence with the release of the first Indian movie 'Raja Harishchandra'. Directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, this was the first full-length silent feature film. On this day in 2007, three-year-old Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal leading to one of the most widely reported missing child cases in modern history read more 'Raja Harishchandra' was the first movie that gave rise to the Indian film industry popularly known as Bollywood. Representational image/X With OTT platforms and Bollywood churning out movies one after the other, it may be hard to imagine a time when movies were not part of the scene. It was on May 3, 1913, that the first full-length Indian feature film, Raja Harishchandra, was released. The film marked the birth of Indian cinema. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On this day in 2007, Madeleine McCann vanished from Portugal's Praia da Luz. This went on to become one of the most widely reported missing child cases in modern history. Here is all that has happened on this day across the world. Release of Raja Harishchandra May 3, 1913, changed the way Indians consumed content with the release of Raja Harishchandra, the first silent movie. This was the first movie that gave rise to the Indian film industry. Directed and produced by Dadasaheb Phalke, the silent film was inspired by Western filmmaking after watching The Life of Christ. Despite scepticism and financial difficulties, Phalke wrote, directed, produced and even handled the cinematography for the movie. The film was based on the legendary tale of King Harishchandra, known for his unwavering honesty and integrity. India's first movie 'Raja Harishchandra' told the story of As acting was not considered respectable for women at the time, all roles were played by men. This included even the female roles. Dattatraya Damodar Dabke portrayed the titular king, while male stage actor Anna Salunke played Queen Taramati. The movie was shot using a single camera and consisted of four reels, running approximately 40 minutes. Raja Harishchandra premiered at Bombay's Coronation Cinema and received an enthusiastic response from audiences. Though silent and monochrome, its impact was profound. It laid the foundation for narrative Indian cinema and demonstrated film's potential as a medium for storytelling, entertainment and cultural preservation. Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal On this day in 2007, three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from a holiday apartment in the resort town of Praia da Luz, Portugal, sparking what would become one of the most widely reported missing child cases in modern history. British national Madeleine McCann was on holiday with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, and her younger twin siblings. On the evening of May 3, as the children slept in their ground-floor apartment at the Ocean Club resort, the parents were dining with acquaintances at a nearby establishment, routinely checking on their children. Around 10:00 pm, Kate McCann found Madeleine missing from her bed. The presence of an open small window quickly led to the presumption of an abduction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Portuguese police launched an investigation that drew global attention and media coverage. The search involved local authorities, international police, volunteers, and even private detectives. Despite intense efforts, no definitive evidence emerged regarding Madeleine's whereabouts. Kate and Gerry McCann pose for the media with a missing poster depicting an age progression computer generated image of their still missing daughter Madeleine during a news conference in London. File image/AP The case took several controversial turns. In September 2007, Portuguese police named Kate and Gerry McCann as formal suspects (arguidos), a move widely criticised. That status was lifted in 2008 due to a lack of evidence. The original Portuguese investigation was closed in 2008 but later reopened in 2013. That same year, Scotland Yard launched its own inquiry, codenamed Operation Grange. Over the years, thousands of leads and sightings were investigated. In 2020, German authorities announced a new suspect, a man named Christian Brückner, a convicted sex offender who had lived in the Algarve region. He has not been formally charged in connection with Madeleine's disappearance. Despite ongoing investigations, Madeleine McCann remains missing. This Day, That Year The Kentucky Derby, the most prestigious American horse race, was televised nationally in the United States for the first time on this day in 1952. In 1937, Margaret Mitchell won a Pulitzer Prize for her enormously popular novel Gone with the Wind. European explorer Christopher Columbus encountered the island of Jamaica which he named Santiago on this day in 1494.
