According to Subhash K Jha from Bollywood Hungama, Jr NTR has reportedly walked out of SS Rajamouli’s much-talked-about Dadasaheb Phalke biopic. With his exit, speculation is high about who will replace him and many reports hint that Prabhas is the frontrunner. But how true is that?
Industry insiders have confirmed that Prabhas has not been approached for the film. Sources close to Rajamouli clarified that the news is false and that the director and Prabhas plan to collaborate later on something far bigger than this biopic.
The film, based on the Father of Indian Cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, has been in development for some time under Rajamouli’s banner. Jr NTR was earlier set to play the role but has now stepped away.
A source close to the actor explained that NTR doesn’t want to play a historical or real-life figure right now. Another reason is that the film isn’t being directed by Rajamouli himself but by his son, Karthikeya Rajamouli.
Adding to that, Aamir Khan is already working on another Dadasaheb Phalke biopic with Rajkumar Hirani. NTR reportedly felt that doing a similar film around the same time would be unnecessary.
Despite NTR’s exit, Rajamouli plans to continue the project. Pre-production is ongoing, though the film has faced objections from Chandrashekhar Srikrishna Pusalkar, Dadasaheb Phalke’s grandson, over creative liberties.
As Rajamouli searches for a new lead, fans have been hoping to see him reunite with Prabhas after Baahubali. However, sources confirmed that it won’t happen this time. Prabhas is already committed to Raja Saab, Fauji, Spirit, Kalki 2, Salaar 2, and Prasanth Varma’s upcoming film.
For now, Rajamouli’s Dadasaheb Phalke biopic remains in progress, but without either NTR or Prabhas. The search for a new actor to play the pioneering filmmaker continues.
