Jr NTR Quits Rajamouli’s Dadasaheb Film For Aamir Khan?

Sometimes in cinema, dreams are like clay, soft and ready to shape, but not every hand leaves its mark. For Jr NTR, what began as a dream project with SS Rajamouli has now turned into a decision to step away, leaving fans wondering why.

For months, reports hinted that Jr NTR would play a lead role in SS Rajamouli’s ambitious Dadasaheb Phalke biopic. But according to Bollywood news, the actor has chosen to opt out. Sources say Jr NTR was unhappy that the film would be directed not by Rajamouli himself but by his son Karthik. On top of this, Jr NTR felt that with Aamir Khan already working on a similar biopic, making another film on the same subject would be unnecessary. He is also reportedly reluctant to play a real-life legend at this stage in his career.

This decision comes after reports suggested that the makers then approached Prabhas for the role. However, he too seems unavailable, with a busy schedule filled with films such as Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2. This leaves a gap in what could have been one of the most awaited projects of recent years. The Dadasaheb Phalke biopic remains a historic venture, aiming to capture the life of the man who made Raja Harishchandra, India’s first full-length feature film in 1913. For Indian cinema, telling his story is more than a film; it is an ode to its roots.

Meanwhile, Aamir Khan is moving ahead with his own version, directed by Rajkumar Hirani. Reports reveal the project has been in development for over four years, with a dedicated team including Hirani himself and writers Abhijat Joshi, Hindukush Bharadwaj, and Avishkar Bharadwaj. FX studios in Los Angeles are using AI to recreate the era authentically. Whether Jr NTR’s departure will affect Rajamouli’s vision remains to be seen, but this chapter already promises a dramatic turn in the journey of Indian cinema.