Mumbai: Earlier this year, superstar Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani announced they will be teaming up again for a biopic on the legendary Dhundiraj Govind “Dadasaheb” Phalke. The pairing, which previously delivered hits like 3 Idiots and PK, stirred hopes of another blockbuster.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the duo have now decided to put the project on hold. According to sources, they are unhappy with the current script and believe that the subject, the father of Indian cinema deserves a film that is “emotionally stirring and universally engaging.”
Why the Delay?
The reason is simple both Aamir and Hirani are perfectionists. Sources say Aamir felt the script lacked the humour and spark that audiences expect from the Hirani-Khan collaboration. He felt it was “too dry” for today’s world and didn’t capture the full spectrum of Phalke’s legacy. After multiple rewrites, the decision was taken to pause production rather than rush into filming.
Meanwhile, Aamir Khan is reportedly reading 20 + scripts and will pick his next project in early 2026. Hirani too has begun exploring fresh subjects. The Phalke biopic is on the shelf for now but the reunion isn’t off the table.
Who Was Dadasaheb Phalke?
Dhundiraj Govind “Dadasaheb” Phalke was born on April 30, 1870 and died February 16, 1944. He is widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema. He made India’s first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913, under his own banner and without any precedent in India’s film industry. Phalke started from humble roots studying painting, photography and lithography and brought in early special-effects work, trick photography and mythological storytelling to make his name.
He went on to produce nearly 95 feature films and 27 short films in his career, laying the foundation for what would become one of the largest film industries in the world. The Government of India instituted the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1969 to honour lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
What This Delay Means For Bollywood
Putting the biopic on hold sends a strong signal even top stars and veteran directors are not willing to compromise when dealing with a figure as iconic as Phalke. For fans, it is a ripple of suspense that Will Hirani and Aamir Khan step in later with a script that truly does justice? Or will they diverge into different projects and the film be indefinitely delayed.
The pairing of Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani promised much to the audience. With the biopic paused, expectations are higher than ever. After all, the man they plan to depict, Dadasaheb Phalke, laid the cinematic bedrock for all of Indian film. He deserves more than a rushed tribute. And if the Aamir Khan-Hirani duo believe the script isn’t there yet we should trust them.
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