Experimentation is the name of the game in Bollywood right now, with filmmakers digging into true stories for inspiration. This has resulted in a number of gripping biographies that have seen the lives of real-life heroes turned into big-screen dramas and big hits.
From Akshay Kumar’s film Pad Man, based on the life of social activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, to Haseena Parkar, inspired by the life of terrorist Dawood Ebrahim’s sister and starring Shraddha Kapoor, Bollywood has seen a resurgence of creative content. Last week, Hansal Mehta’s Omerta, based on the life of terrorist Ahmad Omar Saeed Shaikh — who’s played by Rajkummar Rao — opened to rave reviews.
Here are seven other biographies in the pipeline to look forward to:
Sanju
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor
After almost two years, the biographical drama starring Ranbir Kapoor Sanju is finally set to release. Based on the life of mega star Sanjay Dutt, the film is helmed by 3 Idiots and PK director Rajkumar Hirani. Kapoor dons the role of Dutt and takes us on a tell-all journey, highlighting his drug addiction, love affairs, imprisonment and career choices. Kapoor’s resemblance to Sanjay Dutt is uncanny and leaves us feeling like we’re watching the star himself. Sanju will hit UAE theatres on June 28.
Soorma
Starring: Diljit Dosanjh
Diljit Dosanjh plays the role of Indian hockey player Sandeep Singh, who was almost paralysed after being accidentally shot in 2006. Soorma revolves around Singh’s fight to overcome his injury, and how he beats the odds to get back on his feet and play for the country. Also starring Taapsee Pannu, Soorma will release on June 28, 2018.
Manto
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Based on Indo-Pakistani writer and author Saadat Hasat Manto, the Nandita Das-directed film stars critically acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui in and as Manto. Set in the 1940’s, the film highlights the struggle of Manto as he leaves his beloved Bombay (now known as Mumbai) and starts a new life in Pakistan in search for takers of his writing. Manto screens at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year, and will hit theatres later this year.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Starring: Kangana Ranaut
Manikarnika is the story of Indian warrior queen Laxmi Bai, popularly known as the Queen of Jhansi. Kangana Ranaut plays the title role and brings to life the efforts and the war of Lakshmi Bai against British rule during the Indian Rebellion of 1957. The film has been shooting for the past six months and is slated to release in August.
Super 30
Starring: Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan plays the role of Anand Kumar, a Patna-based mathematician who runs an educational programme that tutors 30 impoverished students for the Indian Institutes of Technology entrance exam. The first schedule of the film has already been shot in Rajasthan and Super 30 is scheduled to release in January, next year.
Sher Shah
Starring: Sidharth Malhotra
Producer and director Karan Johar took to Twitter to announce the making of a biography on Captain Vikram Batra, who was an officer of the Indian Army, with Sidharth Malhotra as the lead. Batra, also known as Sher Shah, was killed at the age of 24 as he led an operation amidst the snow-clad mountains in Jammu and Kashmir during the Kargil War in 1999. Malhotra is set to commence shooting for the biopic later this year.
Saina Nehwal Biopic (untitled)
Starring: Shraddha Kapoor
Shraddha Kapoor will take on the role of World Champion and Olympian badminton player Saina Nehwal in her next venture. The untitled biography will portray Kapoor as the 28-year-old sportswoman and her journey through the years. While the shooting of the film is yet to begin, Kapoor has been practicing and training under the Indian team head coach, Pullela Gopichand, and Nehwal.
— Simran Kanal is an intern at Gulf News.
