Anupam Kher to play Manmohan Singh in new biopic

The inner workings of former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, will be unveiled on the big screen in first-time filmmaker Vijay Ratnakar Gutte’s upcoming biopic. Written by National Award-winning director Hansal Mehta and produced by Sunil Bohra, the first look of the political drama will be unveiled on 7 June.

Sanjaya Baru, a media adviser to Manmohan Singh for four years from 2004 to 2008, released his book, The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh, during the 2014 parliamentary polls. His controversial memoir was highly detracting of Singh’s first term.  

Producer Bohra said to Economic Times newspaper, “The research on the movie is already over. Auditioning (for the remaining cast) is in its final lap.” However, Anupam Kher has already been cast as the former Prime Minister.

Kher confirmed his participation in the film and said, “Acting the role of anyone in contemporary history is extremely challenging, as comparisons are bound to be instant and inevitable. But as I have always revelled in challenges, right from my first film Saaransh, I look forward to the experience of portraying PM Manmohan Singh.”

The as-yet-untitled film is due to be released in theatres in December 2012, before the general elections in 2019.