Overview

• Two biopics on Dadasaheb Phalke are in development, with one led by Jr NTR under S.S. Rajamouli's banner and the other starring Aamir Khan directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
• The Aamir Khan–Rajkumar Hirani project has secured formal endorsement from Phalke’s grandson, Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, giving it a strategic advantage.
• Rajamouli’s Jr NTR-led biopic, tentatively titled 'Made in India,' has faced criticism for proceeding without the consent of Phalke’s heirs, raising potential legal and censorship concerns.
• Industry experts note that simultaneous films on the same subject are rare, with the Bollywood-backed Aamir-Hirani collaboration perceived as having a stronger position in the market.
• Despite the controversy, S.S. Rajamouli’s global reputation as a filmmaker remains intact, with observers highlighting his track record of delivering cinematic spectacles.