When Ajay Devgn was recently asked if The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (2002), the biopic on the legendary freedom fighter featuring him, would have been a success in recent times, the answer was an emphatic yes! Of course, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag has set spirits soaring and has awakened the go-getter in us but the smash box office hit has done more than just that. The success of this biopic has kick-started a trend of life stories at the box office so much as to revive interest even in the long-waiting-in-the-wings Rang Rasiya by Ketan Mehta on the life of artist Raja Ravi Varma which was finding no takers. With A-listers scouting for biopics to add to their roster, this is one hot potato.
On Mary Kom
Director Omung Kumar was so inspired by MC Mary Kom’s bronze at the 2012 Olympics that he announced a biopic on her along with producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The five-time world boxing champion was obviously overwhelmed. And whom did he convince to get into her shoes? Priyanka Chopra. Apparently the actor has undergone intense physical training to look the part besides relying on make-up. PC, we hear, is so inspired by MC that she is giving her inputs to director Omung Kumar who hasn’t taken rather kindly to it.
On Kishore Kumar
Director Anurag Basu is making a biopic on Kishore Kumar and has roped in Ranbir Kapoor to put together the life of the yesteryear singer-actor on screen. Basu has said that he wants to cover every aspect of Kishore Kumar’s life, including his four marriages one of which was with the dream beauty Madhubala.
On Dhyan Chand
Legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand, three-time Olympic gold winner, is the subject of debutant Rohit Vaid’s biopic. There is a lot of speculation about whether Shah Rukh Khan will play the role of the sportsman. Apparently producer Pooja Shetty wants someone younger who can tone his body to suit the requirement of the role and Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh’s names are being tossed about now.
On Dara Singh
Director Rohit Jugraj is also set to reveal the life story of late wrestler-actor Dara Singh on the big screen. He has got the rights to the story from Dara Singh’s son Vindoo Dara Singh and has reportedly approached Akshay Kumar for the role.
On Dashrath Manjhi
Nawazuddin Siddiqui will be seen playing Dashrath Manjhi — the man who carved a path through a mountain in Gehlour hills near Gaya in Bihar, over a period of 22 years, in memory of his wife. Ketan Mehta has directed this film even as his previous labour of love, Rang Rasiya based on Ranjit Desai's biography of the 19th century artist Raja Ravi Varma, remains unreleased. The director-producer has said Rang Rasiya will release this year-end.
