Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Biopic boom in Bollywood

HINDI CINEMA WILL CONTINUE ITS LOVE AFFAIR WITH MOVIES BASED ON REAL PEOPLE IN 2020

FROM stories based on actual events and film remakes to recreating classic songs, Bollywood has been drawing inspiration from the past more than ever.


The most popular of the genre is high profile biopics that draw upon the lives of real people. That hot trend is set to continue with more big Bollywood blockbusters based on real people on the way.

With that in mind, here are some biopics to look out for from 2020.

Chhapaak:Bollywood queen Deepika Padukone returns to the big screen in the true-life tale based on acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. She has also produced the drama and transformed herself to portray a woman who went from a horrific tragedy to becoming an inspirational figure campaigning for acid attack victims.

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior:Ajay Devgn produces and plays the lead role in his 100th movie, which is based on the life of a fearless 17th-century warrior, who helped lay the foundation for the Maratha Empire. The lavish historical film sees him portray an unsung hero who faithfully fought for a king and helped win a game-changing battle.

’83:India’s three biggest passions of cricket, cinema and patriotism come together in this big-budget sports drama based on a historic sporting triumph. Ranveer Singh plays Kapil Dev in the story of a great upset that saw underdogs India defeat hot favourite’s West Indies in the cricket world cup final.

Saina:The sports drama sees Parineeti Chopra portray ace badminton player Saina Nehwal. The Amole Gupte-directed film looks at the life of a sports hero who overcame personal challenges to win titles and reach number one in the world.

Maidaan:Ajay Devgn takes on the real life role of Syed Abdul Rahim, who was the football coach and manager of the Indian national team from 1950 until his death in 1963. The uplifting sports drama revolves around India’s greatest achievements in football during a golden era for the game in the country.

Shershaah:Sidharth Malhotra plays Indian soldier Captain Vikram Batra and his twin Vishal Batra in the biographical drama. The story revolves around the army officer who was awarded India’s highest and most prestigious award for valour, for his actions during the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan.

Shakuntala Devi – Human Computer:The biographical drama sees multi-award-winning actress Vidya Balan take on the title role in a film revolving around Shakuntala Devi, who was known as the human computer. The story looks at the life of a woman who shot to international fame because of her extraordinary abilities and the books she authored.

Sardar Udham Singh:Rapidly rising star Vicky Kaushal plays the title role in the biopic based on freedom fighter Udham Singh, who assassinated the former lieutenant governor of Punjab in India, Michael O’Dwyer, in 1940 in revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. The Shoojit Sircar-directed drama shot in the UK, Russia and India brings the life of a legendary revolutionary alive.

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl:The biographical drama revolves around Gunjan Saxena, who along with Srividya Rajan,was the first female Indian air force pilot, and the first in combat. Janhvi Kapoor plays the lead role in the Karan Johar produced film based on real life events.

Mogul:Aamir Khan takes on the challenging role of Bhushan Kumar in the big-budget biographical drama that is directed by Subhash Kapoor. The story traces the extraordinary rise of a music mogul who set up massively successful record label T-Series and then was murdered at a young age by the underworld.

Madhubala biopic: Last but not least, there have been rumours that director Imtiaz Ali will be making a biopic of legendary leading lady Madhubala, who was seen as the Indian answer to Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Like the Hollywood icon, she too had an extraordinary life, was a pin-up, and tragically died young.

More For You

 20 Years of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – A TV Legacy That Lives On

20 years of love, loss, and unforgettable moments—Grey’s Anatomy continues to define TV drama

Pinterest

20 years of 'Grey’s Anatomy': The show that became a lifeline

For someone who has always craved fast-paced crime shows, I never thought I’d care about a hospital drama. The scrubs, the medical jargon, the beeping monitors, it all felt distant, clinical. But life breaks you open when you least expect it. I started Grey’s Anatomy on a night when my own grief was too loud. I needed noise to fill the silence. Then Meredith Grey’s voice cut through:

“So, do it. Decide.
Is this the life you want to live?
Is this the person you want to love?
Is this the best you can be?
Can you be stronger? Kinder?
More compassionate? Decide.

Keep ReadingShow less
Beck Theatre gears up for World Theatre Day with an exciting lineup of shows

Beck Theatre is proud to announce its exciting 2025 programme

Beck Theatre

Beck Theatre gears up for World Theatre Day with an exciting lineup of shows

As World Theatre Day approaches on 27 March, the Beck Theatre is excited to share news of its vibrant new programme, celebrating the magic and significance of live performance. After undergoing a period of transition last year, the theatre is now back on track, offering a fantastic lineup that highlights the power of theatre to unite communities and entertain audiences of all ages.

Located in Hayes, London, the Beck Theatre has been a cultural hub for decades, hosting a wide range of live performances, from musicals and plays to comedy and community events. With its commitment to providing diverse entertainment for the local community, the theatre is looking forward to a busy year ahead. In honour of World Theatre Day, the Beck Theatre is proud to announce its exciting 2025 programme, which features a mix of high-profile acts and community-driven events.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar will perform Passages in full in a Brighton Festival

Getty Images

Anoushka Shankar, Rachel Portman, and Susanna Mälkki to perform at Brighton Festival 2025

Brighton Festival 2025 is set to bring an exciting array of collaborative classical performances that span centuries and generations, with a dynamic lineup of artists showcasing music from across the ages. The festival's classical programme, curated under the artistic direction of the Grammy-nominated sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar, promises a journey through time with performances that bridge both the Baroque period and modern orchestral works.

Anoushka Shankar will also be gracing the stage herself, performing music by her father, the legendary Ravi Shankar, alongside the Britten Sinfonia and Indian classical musicians, in a rare live rendition of Passages, an album created by her father in collaboration with the minimalist composer Philip Glass.

Keep ReadingShow less
Monica Ali reflects on Brick Lane, identity, and her writing journey

Monica Ali

Monica Ali reflects on Brick Lane, identity, and her writing journey

MONICA ALI, who made her debut as a novelist with Brick Lane in 2003, was the main attraction at the London Book Fair last Wednesday (12).

As “adult author of the day”, she was interviewed before an international audience by fellow writer and critic Chris Power.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust using cutting-edge
methods to save ‘rarest native tree’
Propagation of new native black poplars at the National Trust\u2019s Plant Conservation Centre in Devon

National Trust using cutting-edge methods to save ‘rarest native tree’

THIS year’s much-anticipated Octavia Hill lecture will be given on April 1 by professor Alice Roberts, the National Trust has announced.

She “will focus on, ‘Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?’”

Keep ReadingShow less