While work on Aamir Khan and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani’s biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke is underway, uncertainty seems to be looming on S S Rajamouli’s production on the Father of Indian cinema. The buzz is that Rajamouli’s project, to be helmed by Nitin Kakkar of Filmistaan (2012) fame, is on hold for the foreseeable future. Khan’s project is understandably a deterrent to it. But the bigger cause for the hold-up is said to be its potential leading men — Jr NTR and Prabhas.

Reportedly titled Made In India, it was to star RRR (2022) hero Jr NTR. However, his slate quickly filled up, with the actor currently shooting his action drama with director Prashanth Neel. It was then rumoured that Prabhas would headline the biopic. 

A source says, “He is busy for the remainder of 2025 and through early 2026. Prabhas begins shooting for Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit later this year, and will move to Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD Part 2 when that goes on floors.”

As a result, director Kakkar has shifted his focus to Awarapan 2, which is currently being shot in Thailand with Emraan Hashmi. “Kakkar didn’t want to sit idle waiting for the Phalke project to clear its hurdles. It made sense to move ahead with Awarapan 2,” adds the source.

Industry insiders indicate that the project will be revived when the right star is available.