For the past few years, Indian filmmakers have been making films and web series’ based on the life story of famous personalities. Continuing the same trend, a few interesting biographical movies and web shows are ready to entertain moviegoers in 2022.
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Celebrated Bollywood Analyst cum Business Transformation Expert Hirav Shah says, “Indian Cinema’s current obsession is Biopics. Bollywood loves to churn out successful ideas until the audience gets bored with them. Political biopics have become a fad as they end up glorifying the leaders and bolster the audience’s political biases.”
Hirav Shah adds, “Films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Mary Kom, Dangal, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story were highly successful at the box office because they are all stories of ordinary people, struggling against the system, society or personal obstacles, and achieving success.
Bollywood and sports films have had an amicable relationship; films like Lagaan and Iqbal impressed the viewers by mixing drama with their favorite sport, cricket. It was with Chak De! India that hockey got the love and recognition among the common masses; it brought women’s hockey to the mainstream.”
Hirav Shah brings you the list of films and web series being made on biographical content.
1. Rocket Boys
Rocket Boys is a web series that premiered on noted OTT platform SonyLIV on February 4th. Reportedly, the series is based on the lives of Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, two extraordinary physicists who brought revolutionary changes to India’s science department.
2. Gangubai Kathiawadi
This Sanjay Leela Bansali directorial has caught the audience’s attention with its theatrical trailer that was unveiled a couple of weeks back. The film is based on the life story of Gangubai Harjivandas, fondly known as Gangubai Kothewali; Gangubai Kathiwadi is inspired by a documentary made on Gangubai as Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Amidst good expectations, Gangubahi Kathiwadi was released for a pan-India release on February 25th. The film scored an amazing 40-crore weekend and is now in the 100 crore club.
3. Prithviraj
Starring Akshay Kumar in the titular role, Prithviraj marks the silver screen debut for model Manushi Chhillar. The movie is based on Prithviraj Chauhan, a king from the Chahamana dynasty, and carries good expectations among the audience. The film was supposed to hit the screens on January 26th itself, but due to the Covid third-wave panic circumstances, the film is kept on hold for the time being.
4. Chakda ‘Xpress
Starring Anushka Sharma in the lead role, Chakda’ Xpress is based on the life and struggles of Jhulan Goswami, the former captain of India Women’s National Cricket team. Being one of the greatest bowlers in the history of women’s cricket, Jhulan’s life is a reflection of women’s treatment in sports.
5. Pippa
Pippa is an upcoming biographical drama based on the life of Indian army officer Brigadier Mehta who fought on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. Starring Ishaan Khattar in the lead role, the movie even showcases the liberation of our neighboring country Bangladesh.
6. Maidaan
Maidaan starring Ajay Devgn in the lead role, is a sports drama that is based on the life story of legendary Indian football Coach Syed Abdul Rahim. Co-starring Priyamani as the female lead, Maidaan is gearing up for a release in the second half of 2022. Boney Kapoor is the film’s producer.
7. Major
Starring Adivi Sesh in the lead role, Major was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi and is based on the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a soldier who was martyred in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The film was supposed to hit the screens in the second week of February but was postponed due to the Covid crisis.
8. Rocketry The Nambi Effect
Rocketry is a film based on the life story of Nambi Narayanan, a former scientist and aerospace engineer of the Indian Space Research Organisation. Starring R Madhavan in the lead role, the film is directed by himself and is scheduled for a July 1st theatrical release.
9. Shabaash Mithu
Shabaash Mithu is based on the life of the current Test and ODI captain of the India Women’s National Cricket Team, Mithali Raj. The film revolves around the ups and downs of Mithali Raj’s career. Taapsee Pannu is playing the lead role.
10. Sam Bahadur
Being directed by Meghna Gulzar, Sam Bahadur is a forthcoming film based on the life of Sam Manekshaw, the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Vicky Kaushal and Sanya Malhotra will be seen as the lead pair in the movie.
Hirav Shah concludes by saying, “No doubt the situation becomes tricky when the biopic is based on popular personalities who are alive. Therefore, filmmakers need to be as authentic and careful as possible, as the memories of these people are fresh in the audience’s mind.”
