Hrithik Roshan in Super 30, Kangana Ranaut as Manikarnika and 9 Other Upcoming Biopic Movies in Bollywood

There was a time when biopics in Bollywood were few and far between. But not anymore. In last few years, we have seen an upsurge in filmmakers bringing the real stories of influential figures on the silver screen. India’s most successful film, Dangal was based on Mahavir Singh Phogat, who trained his daughters, Geeta and Babita to become international wrestling champions. The 2016 biographical sports-drama with Aamir Khan in the lead grossed over 2000 crore rupees at the worldwide box office. Understanding the movie buffs’ interests in watching the life and journey of notable personalities unfold before their eyes, moviemakers are producing more biopics. There are interesting biopics in pipeline featuring Akshay Kumar, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aamir Khan, Shraddha Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut Hrithik Roshan, Boman Irani among others. Take a look at the list of biographical films which is bound to make a cinephile super excited.

1. Untitled Saina Nehwal Biopic – Played by Shraddha Kapoor

Shraddha Kapoor is not new to playing out a real-life character on the big screen. She portrayed the role of feared day don, Haseena Parkar in Apoorva Lakhia’s biographical crime drama. The film on Dawood Ibrahim’s younger sister turned out to be a box office dud with critics and fans remaining unimpressed with Shraddha’s poor acting chops. The 30-year-old has now set her eyes on essaying the role of Saina Nehwal, India’s first badminton player to win an Olympic medal. The yet-to-be-titled biopic on ace Indian shuttler will be directed by Amol Gupte. Shraddha is training under celebrated badminton player turned coach, P Gopichand to give out her best in a role of country’s youth icon.

2. Sanju on Sanjay Dutt – Played by Ranbir Kapoor

The fans are desperately waiting to see reel Sanju Baba aka Ranbir Kapoor on the silver screen. The much-awaited biopic on one of Bollywood’s biggest superstar, Sanjay Dutt is a must on our list. Sanju directed by Rajkumar Hirani is touted to focus on Sanjay Dutt’s life journey including his rise to stardom, his romantic relationships, his struggle with drugs, fall from grace and his strong comeback. The film is slated for a release on March 30, 2018.

3. Super 30 on Anand Kumar – Played by Hrithik Roshan

Vikas Bahl’s Super 30 is based on the life of Anand Kumar, mathematician and celebrated tutor. Bollywood’s Greek God, Hrithik Roshan will be bringing inspiring journey of Bihar’s teacher on the big screen. Anand Kumar became famous for coaching intelligent but underprivileged kids for IIT-JEE entrance examinations for nation’s most prestigious institutions. His contribution in the field of teaching and education is unmissable.

4. The Accidental Prime Minister on Dr Manmohan Singh – Played by Anupam Kher

The Accidental Prime Minister is based on the life and political journey of the former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh. The biographical political film will star Anupam Kher in the titular role. The film about the renowned economist and politician is written by Hansal Mehta and is based on the 2014 chronicle of the same name by Sanjaya Baru. Vijay Gutte-directed biopic is expected to release in 2018, though it needs to obtain a no-objection certificate from Dr Manmohan Singh and Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

5. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi – Played by Kangana Ranaut

We all have grown up reading about the prodigious bravery of Rani Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi with Kangana Ranaut in the lead is all set to bring the glorified tale of the brave queen. The great Indian epic is directed by Krish, which will focus on Jhansi Ki Rani’s war against the British East India Company, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The tentative release date of Manikarnika is April 27, 2018.

6. Mogul on Gulshan Kumar – Played by Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar is all set to portray the role of Gulshan Kumar, the man who changed the face of the music business in India. The film titled Mogul about the founder of T-Series music-label will be directed by Subhash Kapoor. It will focus on Gulshan Kumar’s journey from rags to riches before he was assassinated in 1997.

7. Jhalki on Kailash Satyarthi – Played by Boman Irani

A biopic on child right’s activist and Noble Peace prize winner is what we all are rooting and desperately for to release. Jhalki is based on the life story of Kailash Satyarthi. The super talented Boman Irani will be essaying the role of the inspirational man who also founded Bachpan Bachao Andolan. The greatly admired 63-year-old activist is working day and night to fight against child labour, sexual abuse and trafficking. The film Jhalki is directed by the National Award-winning filmmaker Brahmanand Singh.

8. Sare Jahan Se Achcha on Rakesh Sharma – Played by Aamir Khan

After spreading the magic with Dangal, Aamir Khan will step into the shoes of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel in space. The film on famed astronaut is reportedly titled Sare Jahan Se Achcha, the words Rakesh said in reply to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s question on how India looks from space. The film in under pre-production with casting for an actress to play Rakesh Sharma’s wife Madhu is yet to be finalized. Newbie Fatima Sana Shaikh and global icon, Priyanka Chopra are in a race to bag the prestigious role.

9. PV Sindhu – Deepika Padukone*

Along with Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu took Indian badminton to newer heights. Sindhu scripted history in the 2016 Rio Olympics by bagging a silver medal, becoming the first Indian woman to do so. Understanding the importance of having a female role model for the younger generation to look up to, actor Sonu Sood is producing the biopic on PV Sindhu. He has shown his interest in actress Deepika Padukone essaying the lead role and we completely agree with him.

10. Abhinav Bindra – Harshvardhan Kapoor

Abhinav Bindra remains India’s lone individual gold medallist after creating history in 2008 Summer Olympics. He shot the gold in the 10 m Air Rifle event in Beijing Olympics. The now retired professional shooter continues to make a huge contribution to Indian sporting field. His life journey will be brought on 70mm in Untitled Abhinav Bindra Biopic. Actor Harshvardhan Kapoor will be seen in the role of glorified shooter.

11. Soorma on Sandeep Singh – Diljit Dosanjh

Another sports biographical film we all are excited about is Soorma. It revolves around the hockey legend Sandeep Singh. The film sees acclaimed actor Diljit Dosanjh in the role of the former Indian captain. The film’s tagline reads “The Greatest Comeback Story of the Hockey Legend Sandeep Singh” and it could not be more apt. Sandeep almost became paralysed and was wheelchair-bound for two years after being hit by a bullet in an accidental gunshot. The determined player not only recovered but also worked hard to cement his place back in the national side. Apart from Diljit, Soorma will also see Taapsee Pannu and Angad Bedi in supporting roles. It is slated for a June 29, 2018, release.

Apart from the aforementioned biopics, there are few rumoured to be produced soon. One of them being based on Kalpana Chawla, first woman astronaut of Indian origin to travel in space. It is discussed with Priyanka Chopra in the lead. Another biographical that has got everyone excited is on World Cup-winning hero, cricketer Yuvraj Singh. With filmmakers so keen on bringing inspirational figures on the big screen, it looks like the biopics trend is not likely to fade away anytime soon.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 29, 2017 12:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).