Looks like the biopic fever has caught up with Bollywood baadshah Shah Rukh Khan as he signs up to play astronaut Rakesh Sharma in his next film.
The film’s producer Ronnie Screwvala confirmed the development adding that an official announcement will be made soon.
“We are doing that film with Shah Rukh Khan. We should begin it by February or March next year, but we haven’t announced the female lead yet,” Ronnie said.
According to reports, Bhumi Pednekar has been signed opposite Khan in the film, reportedly titled Saare Jahaan Se Achcha.
Rakesh Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, was the first Indian to have travelled to space. Sharma flew aboard Russian spacecraft Soyuz T-11 for eight days in 1984, during which he conducted experiments as well as an Earth observation program with focus on India. He’s also said to be the first astronaut to have practiced yoga in space.
It was earlier reported that Aamir Khan was cast as Rakesh Sharma in the biopic but later backed out because he wanted to concentrate on his dream project Mahabharat.
The film is set to be directed by Mahesh Mathai and will be produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur and Screwvala under their banners Roy Kapur Films and RSVP Films respectively. Anjum Rajabali will be penning the script.
SRK is currently gearing for the release of his upcoming film Zero. The Aanand L Rai directorial also starres Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma and will hit the screen on December 21, 2018.