Manoj Bajpayee to lead political drama Governor, inspired by real-life figure
Manoj Bajpayee and Chinmay Mandlekar reunite for Governor, a political thriller inspired by a late ex-governor, with Vipul Shah producing. Filming starts in August across multiple cities.
Last Updated: 09.33 AM, May 23, 2025
Filmmaker Chinmay Mandlekar and actor Manoj Bajpayee will be working together again on a film called Governor after their collaboration on Inspector Zende. Midway through August is when filming is set to commence for the political thriller, which is supposedly based on the life of a real-life ex-governor.
Vipul Amrutlal Shah joins the project as producer
Filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah, whose credits include Aankhen (2002) and Namastey London (2007), is working with Bajpayee on this project for the first time. The idea for Governor, which is supposedly Shah's brainchild, is presently in the scriptwriting stages at Suvendu Bhattacharjee, Saurabh Bharat, and Ravi Asrani's feature film development company, according to Mid Day.
An industry insider claims that the film is based on a previous governor who passed away in 2024. The source said that an ex-governor who died last year is the inspiration for the film. The makers are being hush-hush about the inspiration because the paperwork is currently in process.
Multi-city shoot planned over 40 days
The makers anticipate filming in several locations over a 40-day period. In August, Manoj (Bhaiyya Ji, Despatch, and Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari) and Chinmay will begin filming. The insider went on to say that they will film in two additional cities, after six locations in Mumbai, over the course of 40 days.
The first film starring Bajpayee and directed by Mandlekar, Inspector Zende, is still in production and marks Mandlekar's directorial debut. Bajpayee and Mandlekar's teaming up again implies a concentration on grounded storytelling anchored in realism—an approach both performers are recognised for—though further specifics regarding Governor are being kept under wraps owing to the sensitivity of the subject matter.
Reportedly, continuing legal and official clearances are the reason for the decision to keep the real-life inspiration under wraps. Nevertheless, given the subject matter, it seems probable that Bajpayee would portray the lead character and the film will go into political dynamics and personal history.
Governor has a solid cast, including Manoj Bajpayee, and a respectable production crew, so it should be one of the most interesting upcoming political films.