Siddhant Chaturvedi lands lead role as cinema legend V. Shantaram in Chitrapati biopic, heralded as his 'biggest film'

A new biopic about the life of movie pioneer V. Shantaram will star Siddhant Chaturvedi. Chitrapati V Shantaram is the working title of the film's script, and the production is now underway.

Siddhant Chaturvedi to portray legendary filmmaker

Chaturvedi, who gained prominence with his 2019 debut in Gully Boy and made a significant impact in Dhadak 2 (2025), will portray the legendary filmmaker, actor, producer, and writer. A source familiar with the project verified a report in Bollywood Hungama, highlighting the magnitude of the part for the young actor.

According to the source, Chaturvedi's upcoming film would be his most ambitious and biggest work to date, as reported by the entertainment portal. The source shared, "With his past work, he has made it clear that he has oodles of talent. This motivated the makers of Chitrapati V Shantaram to sign him for the lead role. The film is in pre-production right now, and Siddhant is working very hard to get into the character."

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Biopic aims to introduce V. Shantaram's legacy to new audience

The goal of the biography is to introduce a new audience to the work of V. Shantaram, whose real name was Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre. Over the course of his nearly 60-year career, he became famous for making groundbreaking, socially conscious films.

According to the source, "V Shantaram’s contribution to the Indian film industry is immense, and with this film, the younger generation will learn about it." The film will cover the journey of the filmmaker, who was “born in abject poverty in Kolhapur, learnt filmmaking under Baburao Painter in Pune, and then left an unforgettable mark in the Hindi film industry with movies like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), etc.”

Trailblazer in early Indian cinema

When it comes to early Indian cinema, V. Shantaram is often considered a trailblazer. According to the source, he was the first to cast women, sell movie music rights, and attempt a colour film. The source added that this film will also educate viewers that he was a trendsetter.

Shot at the world-famous Prabhat Studios, his films received critical acclaim worldwide and won awards at festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, and Venice. The 1957 film Do Aankhen Barah Haath won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in 1959.

Exploring lesser-known aspects and professional rivalries

The film will cover lesser-known aspects of V. Shantaram's life, such as his rise to fame and his professional rivalries, according to the source. Few people know about Charlie Chaplin's admiration of V. Shantaram's work and his rivalry with the elite filmmakers of Bombay (modern-day Mumbai). Because of this, the biography will serve as an enlightening tool while simultaneously providing amusement and drama.

It is anticipated principal filming on Chitrapati V Shantaram to commence once Chaturvedi has finished preparing for the role of the title character.

FAQs:

Q: Who was V. Shantaram and why is he a cinema legend?

A: V. Shantaram (full name Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre) was a pioneering Indian filmmaker, actor, producer, and writer whose career spanned nearly six decades. He is considered a cinema legend because he was a major trendsetter in early Indian cinema.

Q: What is the title of the V. Shantaram biopic?

A: The biopic is titled Chitrapati V Shantaram. Chitrapati is an honorific title, often translating to "Master of Cinema" or "Filmmaker."

Q: Who will play the lead role of V. Shantaram?

A: Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi has been signed to play the lead role in the biopic. This is reportedly his most ambitious and biggest film to date.