May 16, 2025 – The Indian film industry is abuzz with excitement as a new biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, the revered “Father of Indian Cinema,” takes shape. Titled Made in India, the film has generated significant buzz with the announcement that Jr NTR, one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars, is set to portray the legendary filmmaker. Backed by the visionary SS Rajamouli and directed by Nitin Kakkar, this project promises to be a grand cinematic tribute to Phalke’s monumental contributions. However, with another competing biopic starring Aamir Khan and directed by Rajkumar Hirani also in the works, the race to bring Phalke’s story to the silver screen is heating up.
A Poster That Ignites Excitement
The first glimpse of Made in India came through a striking poster shared on X by user
@Itssreenu9 on May 14, 2025. The poster features Jr NTR in a contemplative pose, dressed in period attire, with a vintage camera subtly placed in the background—a nod to Phalke’s pioneering role in Indian cinema. The text proudly declares, “Jr NTR as Dadasaheb Phalke,” with SS Rajamouli, his son SS Karthikeya, and Varun Gupta of Max Studios presenting the film. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, Made in India aims to chronicle Phalke’s journey, starting with his groundbreaking 1913 film Raja Harishchandra, widely recognized as India’s first full-length feature film.
The X post, which has garnered significant attention, describes the project as a tribute to “The Father of Indian Cinema,” with hashtags #JrNTR, #NTR, and #DadaSahebPhalke trending among fans. Reactions to the poster have been mixed but largely enthusiastic, with some users expressing awe at the casting choice, while others humorously debated Jr NTR’s resemblance to Phalke—or lack thereof, with one user,
@haribabunarra, joking that the look resembled Rabindranath Tagore more than Phalke.
Dadasaheb Phalke: A Legacy of Innovation and Struggle
Dadasaheb Phalke, born Dhundiraj Govind Phalke in 1870, is a towering figure in Indian cinema. His debut film, Raja Harishchandra, marked the birth of the Indian film industry, a legacy that continues to thrive over a century later. Phalke’s career spanned 19 years, during which he produced 94 feature films and 27 short films, including notable works like Mohini Bhasmasur, which introduced the first women actors in Indian cinema—Durgabai Kamat and her daughter Kamlabai Gokhale.
However, Phalke’s life was not without hardship. Despite his groundbreaking contributions, the advent of talkies in the 1930s rendered his silent filmmaking skills obsolete. His final film, Gangavataran (1937), was his only talkie, after which he retired to Nashik. Tragically, Phalke spent his last years in poverty, living without a home for six years before passing away in 1944 due to illness. His story is one of brilliance and heartbreak, a narrative that Made in India is poised to explore with emotional depth.
Phalke’s legacy endures through the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, instituted by the Government of India in 1969 to honor lifetime contributions to cinema. His influence is also commemorated through a postage stamp released by India Post in 1971 and an honorary award by the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Mumbai since 2001.
Jr NTR: A Bold Choice for a Complex Role
Jr NTR, known for his larger-than-life roles in commercial blockbusters like RRR, Devara, and the upcoming War 2 with Ayan Mukherji, is an intriguing choice to portray Phalke. According to a report by greatandhra.com on May 15, 2025, the Made in India team approached Jr NTR with a script that reportedly left him “blown away” by the lesser-known facets of Phalke’s life. While the final paperwork is still pending, sources indicate that the actor has expressed keen interest in the project.
This role marks a significant departure for Jr NTR, whose career has largely been defined by high-octane action and mass-appeal dramas. Portraying Phalke requires a nuanced performance, capturing the visionary’s creative genius, his struggles with a changing industry, and the personal tragedies that marked his later years. Fans and critics alike are eager to see how Jr NTR will bring depth to this historical figure, with some expressing skepticism about whether a commercial superstar can do justice to such a serious, emotionally charged role. As one X user,
@KandhimallaHar1, quipped, “Movie kuda AI thone teeyandi… Emka actors endhuku ,” reflecting the high expectations and playful banter surrounding the project.
SS Rajamouli’s Vision and a Competitive Landscape
SS Rajamouli, the mastermind behind global hits like Baahubali and RRR, is no stranger to crafting larger-than-life cinematic experiences. His involvement as a presenter, alongside his son SS Karthikeya and Varun Gupta, lends Made in India a sense of grandeur and credibility. Director Nitin Kakkar, known for his work on films like Filmistaan (2012), brings a more grounded sensibility to the project, which could balance Rajamouli’s flair for spectacle with the intimacy of Phalke’s personal story.
Rajamouli first announced Made in India in September 2023, and after months of script development, the project is now gaining momentum. However, it faces stiff competition from another high-profile biopic on Phalke, starring Aamir Khan and directed by Rajkumar Hirani. As reported by Business Standard on May 15, 2025, Khan and Hirani’s project will focus on Phalke’s journey during India’s independence, a thematic overlap that has sparked curiosity about how the two films will differ in their portrayal of the same iconic figure.
This clash of cinematic titans—Jr NTR and SS Rajamouli on one side, Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani on the other—marks a rare moment in Indian cinema where two major productions are vying to tell the same story. While Khan’s biopic may lean into a more Bollywood-centric narrative, Made in India is expected to bring a South Indian perspective, potentially highlighting Phalke’s time in Nashik and his contributions to early filmmaking in the region.
Fan Reactions and the Road Ahead
The X thread surrounding the Made in India poster reflects a mix of excitement, humor, and anticipation. While some fans, like
@SriniVasKella3, expressed awe with emoji , others took a lighter tone. @ChilakaluripetaRamcharanFans commented, “Thatha moddala vundhi moham,” poking fun at Jr NTR’s look, while
@KingLudochamp stirred the pot by mentioning a rumored Prabhas biopic on Chiranjeevi, adding to the frenzy of biopic announcements.
As Made in India moves forward, it carries the weight of expectations—not only to honor Dadasaheb Phalke’s legacy but also to deliver a compelling cinematic experience that resonates with modern audiences. For Jr NTR, this could be a career-defining role, showcasing his versatility beyond the commercial space. For SS Rajamouli and Nitin Kakkar, it’s an opportunity to bridge the past and present of Indian cinema, paying homage to its roots while pushing storytelling boundaries.
Made in India is more than just a biopic—it’s a celebration of Indian cinema’s origins and a testament to the enduring legacy of Dadasaheb Phalke. With Jr NTR at the helm, SS Rajamouli’s backing, and Nitin Kakkar’s direction, the film has all the ingredients to be a landmark in Indian cinema. However, its success will depend on its ability to balance historical authenticity with emotional resonance, all while standing out in the shadow of a competing Aamir Khan-Rajkumar Hirani production. As fans eagerly await more updates, one thing is certain: the story of the man who gave India its first moving picture is about to come alive in a way that could inspire generations once again.
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