Rajkumar Hirani-Ranbir Kapoor collaboration pushed back; Aamir Khan's Dadasaheb Phalke biopic is next
Rajkumar Hirani and Ranbir Kapoor's athlete biopic is deferred to 2027 due to script and Ranbir's schedule. Hirani will direct Aamir Khan in a Dadasaheb Phalke biopic starting January 2026.
Last Updated: 09.40 AM, Oct 05, 2025
After their 2018 biopic Sanju became a smashing success, Rajkumar Hirani and Ranbir Kapoor postponed their long-awaited reunion. Several industry insiders have confirmed that the film's postponement until 2027 is mainly attributable to the lead actor's hectic schedule and the lengthened script development period. The film was supposed to be a biopic on an athlete.
Script polishing
They collaborated on the 2014 film PK and have been diligently working on the athletic biopic. Nevertheless, the substantial delay is due to the need for more script polishing.
A trade source told Mid Day that Hirani and Ranbir were very excited about this one; they had been jamming on it all year. The insider continued, explaining that the delay was due to the screenplay's lengthy development process and the director's other obligations; hence, the latter decided to park it. Regrouping at a later time makes more sense because Ranbir's schedule is full right now. People are willing to wait to see if it's going to be similar to Sanju.
Rajkumar Hirani shifts focus to Dadasaheb Phalke biopic with Aamir Khan
Meanwhile, Hirani has moved on to another historical project, casting Aamir Khan in a biopic about the founder of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke. In January of 2026, filming is expected to begin on this film.
A source close to the Phalke biopic said that Aamir has spent months getting ready for the part. He plans to go right into workshops in December after growing out his look. Because this is his first role based on a real person, Hirani wants to treat it with the majesty it merits.
Ranbir Kapoor’s confirmed upcoming projects
Little time will be available for the Hirani production due to Ranbir's current filming obligations. The actor has a busy schedule that includes finishing Love and War (directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali) and then filming Ramayana, the second installment of Nitesh Tiwari's mythological epic.
After these obligations, RK can choose his next assignment depending on how ready the script is. The insider said, expanding on his slate of projects now in development, that after that, he will decide between Dhoom 4 and Animal Park, as they are both in the advanced stages of development.
It will be another two years before the highly celebrated actor-director duo's next film begins production as a result of the delay.
FAQs:
Q: When is the Dadasaheb Phalke biopic, starring Aamir Khan, scheduled to begin filming?
A: The Dadasaheb Phalke biopic, directed by Rajkumar Hirani and starring Aamir Khan, is set to begin filming in January 2026. Aamir Khan will begin workshops in December 2025.
Q: What are Ranbir Kapoor's upcoming films before reuniting with Rajkumar Hirani?
A: Ranbir Kapoor's immediate schedule involves wrapping up Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War and filming the second installment of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. After that, he will choose between Dhoom 4 and Animal Park, depending on which script is finalized first.
Q: What was the first film to feature both Rajkumar Hirani and Ranbir Kapoor?
A: While Sanju (2018) was their first major collaboration, Rajkumar Hirani and Ranbir Kapoor first worked together on the 2014 film PK, which starred Aamir Khan.