Siddhant Chaturvedi to play titular role in V Shantaram biopic, first look unveiled

A biographical drama centred on the life of Indian cinema pioneer V Shantaram has been announced. The film will star Siddhant Chaturvedi in the lead role, chronicling Shantaram's prolific career that spanned from the silent film era to the vibrant colour cinema of the 1990s.

Written and directed by Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande, the film is produced by Rahul Kiran Shantaram, Subhash Kale and Sarita Ashwin Varde.

The first-look poster for the biographical drama titled V Shantaram was officially unveiled today, December 1. The poster shows Siddhant Chaturvedi's character in traditional Indian attire with a Nehru cap, standing alongside a vintage film camera.

The striking background features an ethereal backdrop with a majestic eagle with expanded wings against a cloudy sky, which provides a grand, cinematic feel.

The actor shared the poster on his Instagram account, writing, “The Rebel Who Redefined Indian Cinema Is Back Where He Belongs — On the Big Screen.”

Calling the role one of the ‘greatest honours’ of his life,Chaturvedi

said, “The more I read about his journey, the more humbled I felt. He wasn’t just a pioneer of Indian and global cinema; he was a visionary who kept pushing forward no matter the obstacles.”

Born Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre in 1901, Shantaram is known for founding two major film studios — Prabhat Film Company in 1929 and Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1942. With a nearly seven-decade career, he directed several films like

Duniya Na Mane (1937), Navrang (1959), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957) and Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955). Shantaram also received India's highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 1985.

In addition to this film, Chaturvedi will be next seen in the upcoming romantic drama Do Deewane Seher Mein, opposite Mrunal Thakur. Directed by Ravi Udyawar, the film will hit theatres on February 20, 2026. The actor was last seen in Dhadak 2, alongside Triptii Dimri, a romantic movie directed by Shazia Iqbal.