The much-anticipated Dadasaheb Phalke biopic, directed by Rajkumar Hirani and starring Aamir Khan, has experienced a shift in its production schedule. Originally set to start filming in January 2026, the project is now expected to go on floors in late March 2026 following further script refinements. Back in September 2025, reports indicated that the film was gearing up for an early 2026 shoot, with Aamir Khan reportedly moved to tears while revisiting pivotal moments from the life of Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, widely regarded as the Father of Indian cinema. However, the actor and director duo decided to take extra time to polish the screenplay to better align with their shared creative vision and maintain historical authenticity.
Industry insiders reveal that a fresh draft of the script is underway, aiming to balance emotional depth, humour, and sincerity. A source told Mid-Day, “Hirani and Aamir agree the film must feel emotionally relevant to today’s audience while staying true to history. The rewrite is focused on fine-tuning the mix of humour and seriousness to ensure Phalke’s character arc reflects his legendary status. The final draft is expected by February, with production starting in late March.
”This development follows the highly anticipated reunion of Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani, marking their third collaboration after hits like 3 Idiots and PK. Initial excitement was tempered by reports that creative differences had temporarily stalled the project.
Sources close to Bollywood Hungama had shared that both Khan and Hirani found earlier script versions lacking, with Aamir feeling the narrative was too dry and missing the humour characteristic of their work together. The duo chose to pause and rewrite, believing that the iconic Dadasaheb Phalke’s story demands a script that is both emotionally powerful and widely appealing.
Meanwhile, Aamir Khan is carefully considering his upcoming projects, reportedly reading over 20 scripts with plans to announce his next film in early 2026. Currently, he is promoting Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, directed by Vir Das, which is scheduled for release on January 16, 2026.
