KALAM Biopic: Dhanush To Play Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Announces At Cannes 2025
Cannes: Actor Dhanush is all set to portray the Missile Man of India and the 11th President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, in a biopic, announced at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. The biopic, which is officially in production, will be helmed by director Om Raut, who is known for "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'.
The screenplay is penned by Saiwyn Quadras, whose writing credits include acclaimed biopics Neerja, Maidaan and Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Dhanush (@dhanushkraja)
The ace director talked about the biopic. "In an era starved of true statesmen, Kalam stood above politics and pettiness. He was a man who was known for the power of education, excellence and indigenous innovation," he said in a statement.
"To bring his story to the screen is an artistic challenge and a moral and cultural responsibility. It's a story that's inspirational for global youth and especially the youth of the Global South. It's the most important experience of my life. His life is a lesson that is bound to connect with people no matter who they are and where they come from," Raut added.
The film, "staying true to the values of Dr Kalam, will explore the man behind the missile programs and the presidency, the poet, the teacher, the dreamer whose every word carried both science and spirituality in equal measures. More than a political biography, the project is positioned as an insight into leadership and nation-building," as per the press release.
Producer Abhishek Agarwal also expressed his excitement, saying, "We are excited to bring the epic life of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to the big screen. This is an emotional moment for us."
"Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's life is a story that continues to inspire millions across generations....This is more than just a film it's a tribute to a man who showed us how dreams, dedication, and humility can shape a nation's future," added Bhushan Kumar.
However, not much details have been shared by the makers of the biopic.
The film is backed by Abhishek Agarwal and Bhushan Kumar, and produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Anil Sunkara.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
9 hours ago
- News18
Ishaan Khatter Says 'Film Festivals Were My Education' As He Recalls Watching 6 Films A Day
Last Updated: Ishaan Khatter recalls watching 6 films a day at festivals, calling them his film school, and reflects on the dream come true of walking the red carpet at Cannes. Before the flashing cameras and red-carpet appearances, Ishaan Khatter was just another young cinephile, quietly soaking in the magic of cinema from the dark corners of festival theatres. Today, as he stands tall among Bollywood's promising new generation, Khatter attributes much of his growth not just to film sets, but to the formative hours he spent watching world cinema—sometimes six films a day. 'Film festivals were my education," Ishaan says, recalling a time when his love for cinema was his only compass. 'For three years, I went to as many festivals as I could and watched as many films as possible. My record was six movies in one day. I was a learning glutton." Where most people saw films as entertainment, Ishaan devoured them as study material, immersing himself in stories, styles, and storytelling across languages and cultures. This deep engagement with cinema eventually bore fruit in the most poetic way—at the Cannes Film Festival, the ultimate celebration of global filmmaking. Ishaan walked the red carpet not as a fan or aspiring artist, but as someone who had earned his place on the screen and among storytellers he long admired. 'Cannes is the place to be, it's the holy grail," he shared. 'I always dreamed of going there with my own film, and it really felt like that dream came true. I was there with a team I love and admire." Ishaan Khatter, who recently received a lot of appreciation for his role in The Royals, is now waiting for the release of his next film, Homebound. The film, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa. Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor is busy shooting for Vishal Bhardwaj's Arjun Ustara, alongside Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar and Randeep Hooda. He will also be seen in Cocktail 2 with Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna. After that, he will return for Farzi Season 2, which also stars Vijay Sethupathi, Kay Kay Menon and Raashii Khanna. First Published:
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
What to know about the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez
Written by Jesse McKinley and Emma Bubola It may be the best semi-secret wedding money can buy. Next week, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the world's richest men, is set to marry Lauren Sánchez, a former TV reporter. Their ceremony promises to be among the most closely watched, and closely held, in recent memory. Beyond its general locale — Venice, Italy, where some locals are already upset about the event — little is known about the couple's impending nuptials, following what has been about six years of public courtship. It's a period that includes Bezos' evolution from being known as the owner of The Washington Post, one of the nation's most prominent newspapers, to being known as a friend of a president notorious for his attacks on the press. At the same time, Sánchez has transitioned from being a news anchor in Los Angeles and a notable figure in the social scene to becoming a celebrity in her own right — taking a short spaceflight with Katy Perry aboard a rocket bankrolled by her fiance and having a bachelorette party attended by the Kardashians. Bezos, 61, proposed to Sánchez, 55, on his yacht, Koru, docked near the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, according to an interview in Vogue, hiding the pink diamond ring under her pillow. 'When Jeff opened the box,' Sánchez recalled. 'I think I blacked out a bit.' Yet, for all of that publicity, the actual wedding plans have remained exceedingly secret, with security concerns and possible protests, though rumors abound about the guest list, the locale, and — naturally — the prenuptial agreement. Here's what we know. Needless to say, it's a destination wedding, and it seems likely to occur between June 26 and 28. According to unconfirmed reports in Italian newspapers, the locations for festivities may include a pagoda on Venice's Lido beach, where the Venice Film Festival is held; the island of San Giorgio, which faces the Doge palace; and the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a lovingly restored Renaissance building, which exudes status-symbol wedding vibes: soaring ceilings, an indoor colonnade, plenty of plinths. But Bezos and his camp have been mum about venues — and pretty much everything else. Wherever Sánchez and Bezos say their 'I do's,' it won't be at City Hall, unlike George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin, who got married there in 2014, according to city officials. Italy has a variety of rules surrounding marriage rites, which can involve religious ceremonies, often performed in Roman Catholic churches. The Sánchez-Bezos wedding, however, will be nondenominational, likely of a ceremonial nature. Secrecy surrounding the event extends to the guest list, though approximately 200 guests are expected. Many of those will be close friends and family — the couple have seven children, combined, from previous marriages and relationships — with a dappling of celebrities, tech moguls and political figures. President Donald Trump is not attending, though his daughter Ivanka is likely to be there, with her husband, Jared Kushner. The list is believed to be packed with A-listers, including Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, Jay-Z & Beyoncé, Eva Longoria, Gayle King and Jewel. Barry Diller and his wife, Diane von Furstenberg, who have a home in Venice, may also attend. If the bachelorette party — held in Paris in May — was any indication, Perry and Kim Kardashian likely will be on the guest list, as could Kris Jenner. Well, certainly more than your average Amazon purchase, but perhaps not on the level of last year's Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant wedding in Mumbai. Still, numerous tabloid reports have estimated the cost to reach multiple millions. Perhaps aware of local concerns regarding the potential ostentation of the wedding, Lanza & Baucina, which is organizing the wedding, expressed their intention to minimize 'any disruption to the city' and its residents, while also employing locals to craft the events. They added that Bezos and Sánchez have supported 'the city and its all-important lagoon through nonprofit organizations and associated projects.' Venice and its canals attract large crowds, especially in the summer, prompting city officials to impose a small fee for visitors during peak periods and limit tour group sizes. But the protests over the Bezos wedding also seem to be dovetailing with a larger movement in some popular European locations against 'overtourism,' with protests in places like Barcelona, Spain; Mallorca; and Lisbon, Portugal. In Venice, the 'No Space for Bezos' movement is promising more protests, with talk of blocking canals and other anti-nuptial mischief. There is likely to be a crush of paparazzi and other amateur stargazers. One point of reference is the 2014 Clooney-Alamuddin event, where celebrity news and morning shows decamped to Venice and photographers pursued the couple. (That couple seemed remarkably at ease, answering shouted questions from reporters and acknowledging screaming fans.) How Sánchez and Bezos greet and are greeted by the public remains to be seen, though they could have a handy escape if they want to avoid any unwanted attention: according to boat tracking site Marine Traffic, Koru is already bobbing in the Adriatic Sea, along with Bezos' 'support ship,' the Abeona, a 250-foot-long dinghy complete with a helicopter pad. (Sánchez is a pilot.) But unlike other big boats, and big names, Koru appears not to be headed to the wedding.
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Loved Diana Penty in Detective Sherdil? Stream her best films on OTT
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh's Detective Sherdil is finally out on ZEE5 (can be streamed via OTTplay Premium). Like he mentions in the film, if he is Akbar, then Diana Penty is his Anarkali. She is powerful, even with her limitations in the movie. Over the years, the actress has worked in such roles. Diana Penty in stills from Cocktail and Happy Bhaag Jayegi From Cocktail to Happy Bhag Jayegi, stream the best of Diana Penty in one place - only on OTTplay Premium Diana Penty made her powerful debut with Cocktail. The movie is remembered for Deepika Padukone's performance, but Penty left just as much a mark on the viewers. Being the perfect desi girl (even if the popular song said 'Main Hoon Hi Nahi Iss Duniya Ki'), every Indian man could understand why Saif Ali Khan's character Gautam Kapoor left Veronica (Deepika) for Meera (Diana Penty). Happy Bhag Jayegi - Zee5 Diana Penty then found a film that was riding on her own shoulder. Despite the story being fairly good (one of Happy finding her man among potential suitors), Happy Bhag Jayegi left only a slight impression on viewers. The Mudassar Aziz directorial came as a surprise hit. Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran - Zee5 Diana Penty was cast as the female lead in John Abraham's movie Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran. She played an important role of Officer Captain Ambalika Bandyopadhyay in the movie. Her character is among the team that was responsible for testing nuclear weapons while ensuring that the US intelligence agencies do not learn about the plan. Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi - Zee5 The sequel to the 2016 film Happy Bhag Jayegi, Diana Penty returns as Happy, but this time around, there is a new Happy on the block. Sonakshi Sinha also steps in as Harpreet. This time, the movie received mixed reviews and did not meet the budget either. Salute - SonyLIV Diana Penty made her Malayalam film debut in Rosshan Andrrews' Salute. She played the brief but powerful role of SI Aravind Karunakaran (Dulquer Salmaan)'s girlfriend Dia in the film. Although she plays a major role in his personal life, the character has no link to the primary case.
