Aamir Khan's Dadasaheb Phalke biopic update: Why delayed, when will it go on floors?

Months after reports suggested that Rajkumar Hirani’s ambitious Dadasaheb Phalke biopic starring Aamir Khan had been put on the back burner, a fresh update indicates that the project is very much alive, just taking a little longer to shape up.

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Script Rework Behind the Pause

According to a Mid-Day report, the delay stems from ongoing script refinements. The makers are revisiting the screenplay to ensure that the narrative does justice to the life and legacy of the man who laid the foundation of Indian cinema, while also appealing to modern audiences.

Quoting a source, the publication stated, “Hirani and Aamir agree that the film must feel emotionally contemporary while staying rooted in history."

Finding the Right Emotional Tone

The report further revealed that the rewrite is focused on perfecting the emotional rhythm of the story.

"The rewrite is to fine-tune the balance of humour and sincerity. They want to ensure that the character arc captures Phalke’s stature. The draft will likely be finalised by February, and production will begin in late March,” it added.

If things progress as planned, the film is expected to go on floors by March this year.

Earlier Feedback That Sparked Changes

Previously, Bollywood Hungama had shared insights into what led to the rethink. As per its source, “Aamir Khan heard the script of Dadasaheb Phalke from Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi. He felt that the script didn’t have enough elements to make it suitable for a theatrical release."

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The source added, "He expected Raju and Abhijat to follow their usual approach of blending laughter with emotion and drama. But the script lacked comedy, which raised doubts in Aamir’s mind, prompting him to ask Raju to rewrite it. Raju and Abhijat were shocked by Aamir’s reaction and are now considering their next steps.” 

These creative discussions eventually led to the current rewrite phase.