Bollywood’s much-anticipated cinematic tribute to legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram has unveiled its striking first look, with Siddhant Chaturvedi stepping into the role of the pioneering auteur.
The makers of the upcoming biopic, simply titled V. Shantaram, revealed the poster on Instagram through the film’s official production banners — Camera Take Films, Rajkamal Entertainment, and Roaring Rivers Productions.
In the poster, Siddhant appears in a meticulously crafted period look, adorned in traditional Indian attire and a Nehru cap. He stands with quiet confidence beside a vintage film camera, framed against a dramatic sky where a majestic eagle spreads its wings, evoking a sense of grandeur and cinematic nostalgia.
The caption accompanying the reveal declared: “The rebel who redefined Indian cinema returns to his rightful place — on the big screen.”
Celebrating a Visionary of Indian Cinema
Written and directed by Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande, the film promises to trace V. Shantaram’s extraordinary career — from the silent film era to the dawn of sound and the vibrant age of colour — highlighting his courage to innovate and his progressive storytelling.
Born Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre in 1901, the filmmaker’s contributions spanned nearly seven decades. He established two landmark studios — Prabhat Film Company in 1929 and Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1942 — and helmed India’s first Marathi talkie, Ayodhyecha Raja (1932). His celebrated works like Duniya Na Mane (1937), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955) and Navrang (1959) broke technical boundaries while tackling social issues including communal harmony, women’s rights, and prisoner rehabilitation.
In 1985, V. Shantaram was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest recognition in cinema.
The Cast and Crew Speak
“Playing V. Shantaram-ji is the greatest honour of my career,” Siddhant shared. “His perseverance, vision and ability to innovate despite challenges have inspired me deeply. This role has transformed my perspective as an actor.”
Director Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande described Shantaram as “a fearless experimenter whose vision influenced generations of filmmakers,” adding that Siddhant was his natural choice for the role.
Producers Subhas Kale and Sarita Ashwin Varde emphasised the goal of placing Shantaram’s largely underappreciated legacy in the spotlight. “His journey represents the very heartbeat of Indian cinema,” Kale stated, while Varde noted that Siddhant’s sincerity made him the perfect fit for the project.
The biopic is jointly produced by Rahul Kiran Shantaram, Subhash Kale, and Sarita Ashwin Varde, with its release expected to ignite renewed appreciation for one of India’s most groundbreaking cinematic architects.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRtZ-BTiA6t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
