Rajkummar Rao will star in a dark comedy directed by Aditya Nimbalkar before starting the Sourav Ganguly biopic. The Netflix-backed film will be shot in Mumbai.
Before stepping into the shoes of cricket legend Sourav Ganguly, Rajkummar Rao is all set to kick off work on an entirely different project. He will be seen in a dark comedy helmed by Aditya Nimbalkar. While anticipation continues to build around the Ganguly biopic, which reunites Rao with Trapped (2016) director Vikramaditya Motwane, the film is still in pre-production. That has opened a window for Rao to take on a new role in a fresh genre.
According to industry insiders, the actor will soon begin shooting for a Netflix-backed murder comedy. The project is expected to go on floors this month, with filming scheduled across key Mumbai locations including 1 Aerocity in Marol and Film City in Goregaon.
A source close to the development told Mid-Day, “Aditya Nimbalkar has planned a two-month shoot. Rajkummar was so taken by the script that he decided to come on board as a co-producer as well.”
This marks Rao’s second venture into production, following Toaster, another Netflix film expected to premiere later this year.
The yet-untitled film marks a significant departure from Nimbalkar’s previous outing Sector 36 (2024), which leaned heavily into a gritty, realistic tone. “This new film blends the murder mystery format with sharp humour and quirky characters. It’s very much in the black comedy space,” adds another insider.
Meanwhile, the much-anticipated biopic on former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly is steadily moving forward, with filming expected to begin by the end of July. The film, currently untitled, will trace Ganguly’s inspiring journey, from his early days to his rise as one of India’s most successful cricket captains.
To ensure authenticity, the makers plan to cast several Bengali actors alongside lead star Rajkummar Rao, who will portray Ganguly. Key portions of the film will be shot in Kolkata and England, capturing the important phases of the cricketer’s life.
Sanjay Das, a close friend of Ganguly and a core member of the film’s development team, had earlier confirmed that the former captain has reviewed the first draft of the script and shared his feedback. The casting process is underway for pivotal roles, including those of Dona Ganguly, Sana Ganguly, Nirupa Ganguly, Shehasish Ganguly, and Chandi Ganguly. Final selections will depend on the timeline being portrayed in the screenplay.
The production house is expected to announce the final cast in the coming weeks. While nothing has been confirmed yet, there is growing buzz around the possibility of Ganguly making a special cameo appearance in the film.
