Telugu superstar Jr NTR has reportedly backed out of the proposed pan-India biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, the revered Father of Indian Cinema. The move leaves director SS Rajamouli searching for a new lead actor to anchor the prestigious project, which was set to chronicle the birth of Indian cinema.
Sources indicate that a convergence of professional and creative factors influenced the RRR star’s decision. Primarily, the existence of a parallel biopic starring Aamir Khan and directed by cinematic maestro Rajkumar Hirani made a second version of the same story seem redundant. Furthermore, Jr NTR expressed a reluctance to portray a real-life historical figure at this stage of his career, preferring to focus on his upcoming projects, including the highly-anticipated Dragon with director Prashanth Neel.
Why Jr NTR Dropped the Role
The actor’s decision to withdraw from the film stems from a threefold reasoning, according to insiders:
1. The Aamir Khan Factor: A Redundancy Concern
The most significant hurdle proved to be the parallel project featuring Aamir Khan. Rajkumar Hirani, a director known for his unparalleled success rate, is already deep into pre-production for his own Phalke biopic, with Aamir Khan set to play the lead. Industry sources suggest that releasing two films on the same iconic figure would inevitably split audience attention and could be commercially counterproductive. Jr NTR and his team reportedly concluded that pursuing a second version would serve no practical purpose, especially when the Khan-Hirani collaboration carries immense weight in the Hindi cinema market.
2. Reluctance Towards Real-Life Roles
A second key reason for the actor’s exit involves a creative choice. Jr NTR conveyed a personal preference to avoid portraying a real-life character, particularly a historical legend, at this juncture. Following his experience on War 2, the actor is reportedly focused on high-concept, pan-Indian projects that allow for broader cinematic freedom, like his collaboration with Prashanth Neel.
3. Director Clarification
The Phalke biopic, tentatively titled Made in India, was widely assumed to be a directorial venture by SS Rajamouli himself. However, reports clarified that Rajamouli’s son, SS Karthik, would direct the film, with Rajamouli serving as producer. While the project remains a prestigious offering from the Rajamouli camp, this distinction may have subtly factored into the lead actor’s final decision.
Rajamouli Launches New Actor Search
Despite the withdrawal of his first-choice star and earlier objections raised by Phalke’s grandson, SS Rajamouli remains committed to moving forward with the biopic. The filmmaker has now initiated a search for a new actor to step into the role of the cinema pioneer.
Rumours about the team approaching Prabhas for the lead role have been swiftly dismissed by sources close to the production. The search is on for a suitable actor who can embody the historical gravitas of Dadasaheb Phalke and handle the pressure of a pan-India release.
Rajamouli’s production, backed by his son SS Karthik’s Showing Business and Varun Gupta’s Max Studios, promises to be a comprehensive look at the genesis of Indian cinema, regardless of who eventually takes on the titular role. The team aims to deliver an epic that pays fitting tribute to the man who launched the world’s largest film industry.
