Is SS Rajamouli’s Dadasaheb Phalke Biopic On Hold Due To Prabhas And Jr NTR’s Busy Schedules? | Telugu Cinema News

SS Rajamouli’s much-anticipated Dadasaheb Phalke biopic, Made in India, might face a delay as both Prabhas and Jr NTR remain committed to other major projects.

After conquering global cinema with RRR, filmmaker SS Rajamouli was expected to back a grand biopic on Indian cinema’s founding father, Dadasaheb Phalke, tentatively titled Made in India. The ambitious project, to be directed by Nitin Kakkar, was said to be one of the most emotionally driven films Rajamouli has ever taken on as a producer. However, new reports suggest that the project has now been delayed indefinitely, largely due to scheduling conflicts involving the stars being considered for the lead role — Jr NTR and Prabhas.

Casting Delays Stall the Film’s Progress

According to reports, Jr NTR was originally approached to play the titular role, but his calendar is fully packed with his ongoing commitments, particularly Dragon with director Prashanth Neel. The makers then reportedly turned to Prabhas, who shares a long-standing creative bond with Rajamouli after the success of the Baahubali franchise. Yet, the actor too appears to be unavailable for the foreseeable future.

A Mid-Day report revealed that Prabhas will be “completely occupied” through 2025 and much of 2026, with major films like Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2 taking precedence.

Nitin Kakkar Moves Ahead With Awarapan 2

With both stars unavailable, director Nitin Kakkar has reportedly shifted gears to another high-profile project — Awarapan 2, starring Emraan Hashmi. Rather than waiting indefinitely for Made in India to materialize, the filmmaker is said to be moving forward with production on the sequel.

Interestingly, Rajamouli’s Dadasaheb Phalke project isn’t the only one in development. Reports suggest that Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani are also collaborating on a biopic centered around the legendary filmmaker’s life — indicating a renewed cinematic fascination with the man who built India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).

Prabhas and Jr NTR’s Upcoming Films

Despite the delay, both actors remain among the busiest stars in Indian cinema.

Prabhas, who recently headlined Kalki 2898 AD, is gearing up for Marthi’s The Raja Saab — a genre-blending mix of horror, romance, and comedy slated for January 9, 2026, aligning with Pongal and Sankranti. The film features Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar alongside veterans Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, and Zarina Wahab. The actor is also preparing for his next venture, Fauji, directed by Hanu Raghavapudi.

Meanwhile, Jr NTR is neck-deep in the production of his big-ticket action spectacle, Dragon, helmed by KGF director Prashanth Neel. The film is rumoured to feature Rukmini Vasanth and Tovino Thomas in pivotal roles, marking yet another large-scale cinematic event in the making.

What Lies Ahead

While the delay of Made in India might disappoint cinephiles eager for Rajamouli’s next big project, industry insiders suggest that the filmmaker is in no rush. Known for his perfectionist approach and for developing projects over years, Rajamouli reportedly wants the Dadasaheb Phalke biopic to be “a film for the ages” — one that honours the very birth of Indian cinema itself.

Until then, fans will have to wait patiently as two of Tollywood’s biggest stars continue to dominate the cinematic landscape — before possibly coming together under Rajamouli’s visionary banner once again.