In June 2022, filmmaker Sandeep Singh announced that a biopic on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is under production. This will be an adaptation of Ullekh NP’s book The Untold Vajpayee: Politician and Paradox and the film has been titled Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon, Yeh Desh Rehna Chahiye- Atal.
In June, they had said that they were still looking for the lead actor who would play Vajpayee’s role and now the search has come to an end because Pankaj Tripathi has been locked for that. A source close to the film’s development confirmed the news. This film is being produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Sandeep Singh, Kamlesh Bhanushali, Sam Khan and Vishal Gurnani. It will most likely be released during Christmas in 2023 which is the 99th birth anniversary of the former PM.
Talking about the film, Bhanushali had said that he is a big fan of the former PM. He believes that he was a true visionary and had all the leadership qualities which were needed to run a nation successfully. He further added that his contribution to the nation was commendable and it was his honour that he was getting to be a part of this project.
Singh said that through this film, they wanted to touch upon the personal side of the former PM. While instances about his political career and ideologies will be told, there will be a side to the story which will bring the focus on the humane and poetic aspects of the leader. They want to tell people why he was one of the most loved leaders of the opposition and a visionary PM.
Shiva Sharma and Zeeshan Ahmad have already acquired the official rights to the book on which the movie is based. The film will explore Vajpayee’s childhood, college life and his journey to becoming a politician.
Shiva had said that this was one of the most ambitious projects of his life. Taking the story of an unsung hero to the silver screen would be something really interesting. He wants people to see the real side of him which he found out after reading the book.
Featured Image Credits: Prime Video