Rumours regarding the potential shelving of the much-anticipated biographical drama on legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram can finally be put to rest. While the project missed its initial production targets, director Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande has officially clarified that the film is very much on track, with production now officially pushed to 2027. Originally announced with great fanfare, the film features Siddhant Chaturvedi in the titular role as the pioneering visionary of Indian cinema, alongside Tamannaah Bhatia as his second wife, the celebrated actress Jayashree.
The project was initially slated to commence principal photography in April 2026. However, months passed without the film going on floors, sparking widespread speculation across entertainment circles that the ambitious venture might have been put on the back burner.
Shedding light on the setback, director Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande explained in an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama how minor initial holdups snowballed into a complete calendar disruption.
“We had initially planned an April shoot and planned to go indoors after rains. But we were delayed by two months, and then the whole schedule went haywire,” Deshpande revealed.
Instead of rushing the production pipeline during unfavourable weather windows, the creative team opted for a strategic reset. The makers are now locking fresh dates to take the project to floors in April 2027. Furthermore, the director hinted that the extended prep time has allowed them to expand the canvas, with negotiations underway to onboard a few more major names to the ensemble cast alongside Chaturvedi and Bhatia.
The revised production timeline has been meticulously structured around seasonal weather patterns to ensure authentic visual backdrops.
Under the new blueprint, the crew will prioritize outdoor sequences first, taking advantage of favourable weather before seamlessly transitioning into interior studio sets to utilize the monsoon period.
The film is backed by an elite team of producers, including Rahul Kiran Shantaram, Subhash Kale, and Sarita Ashwin Varde. It is presented via a collaborative banner lineup comprising Rajkamal Entertainment (carrying forward the historic legacy of Shantaram’s original studio), Camera Take Films, and Roaring Rivers Productions. The cast also features prominent actors like Fardeen Khan in pivotal roles.
The biographical drama aims to capture the sweeping, monumental life of a man hailed as the original rebel and architect of Indian cinematic expression.
The narrative spans decades, tracing V. Shantaram’s extraordinary evolution from the silent era through the technical revolutions of sound and colour. As an auteur, actor, and social reformer, Shantaram redefined storytelling, leaving behind a timeless cinematic catalog in both Hindi and Marathi cinemas. His timeless classics—such as Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), the internationally acclaimed Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), and the striking social drama Pinjara (1971)—continue to serve as masterclasses in filmmaking.
With pre-production getting a fresh lease on life and filming locked for April 2027, the cinematic tribute to one of India’s greatest cultural pioneers is shaping up to be a landmark event.
By: Bollyo
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FAQs:
Siddhant Chaturvedi is set to portray legendary filmmaker and actor V. Shantaram in the upcoming biopic.
Tamannaah Bhatia stars alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi in the much-awaited biographical film.
The film will explore the life and cinematic journey of V. Shantaram, one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, highlighting his contribution to filmmaking and his remarkable career.
The Siddhant Chaturvedi and Tamannaah Bhatia-starrer has reportedly been pushed to 2027. The makers have yet to announce a specific release date.
