Rising star Siddhant Chaturvedi has landed arguably the most significant role of his career: portraying the legendary director, actor, producer, and writer V. Shantaram in an ambitious new biopic. The film, officially titled Chitrapati V Shantaram, will chronicle the pioneering filmmaker’s six-decade-long journey, which fundamentally shaped the history and social conscience of Indian cinema.
This casting decision firmly establishes Chaturvedi’s position as a leading man capable of tackling complex, large-scale biographical projects, marking a monumental step up from his previous critically acclaimed roles. The project is currently in the final stages of pre-production, with filming expected to commence in the coming months.
The film pays homage to Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre, affectionately known as ‘Annasaheb,’ a true giant of Indian filmmaking. Born in 1901, V. Shantaram was instrumental in transitioning Indian cinema from the silent era to the talkie era, and later, introducing color.
He utilized the medium not merely for entertainment but as a powerful instrument of social change, successfully using cinema to advocate for humanism and expose social bigotry and injustice.
Some of his timeless classics, which the biopic is expected to explore, include:
- Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957): A social drama that famously won a Golden Globe Award and the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
- Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955): A spectacular color musical.
- Navrang (1959): Known for its vibrant music and visual artistry.
- Duniya Na Mane (1937): A powerful film tackling the issue of an age-gap marriage.
Shantaram’s enduring contributions earned him Indian cinema’s highest honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 1985.
Siddhant Chaturvedi, who first gained widespread recognition as MC Sher in Gully Boy and cemented his acting prowess in Gehraiyaan and Dhadak 2, now faces his most challenging and prestigious role.
Sources close to the production team, which is headed by V. Shantaram’s son, Kiran Shantaram, have confirmed that Chaturvedi has already completed an extensive look test for the film. Reports suggest that the young actor’s transformation is stunning, achieving a striking resemblance to the late cinematic icon during his prime.
This biopic demands not only a physical transformation but also an immense range of emotional depth to capture Shantaram’s journey: from his early days at the Maharashtra Film Company to co-founding the legendary Prabhat Film Company and establishing his own sophisticated studio, Rajkamal Kalamandir.
Adding further weight to the already ambitious project, actor Fardeen Khan has also been roped in for a pivotal, yet currently undisclosed, role. Khan’s inclusion signifies the film’s intent to attract significant talent across the industry spectrum.
Furthermore, the personal life of V. Shantaram—who was married three times—will form a key part of the narrative. Producers are reportedly scouting for three prominent actresses to portray his wives: Vimla, Jayashree, and Sandhya. This complex personal story, intertwined with a magnificent professional career, ensures the biopic offers a rich and multi-layered cinematic experience.
The official announcement of the director and the remaining cast members is expected soon, but the confirmation of Siddhant Chaturvedi in the lead role has already positioned Chitrapati V Shantaram as one of the most anticipated biopics in recent memory, promising a sincere and grand homage to a true pioneer of world cinema.
