Confirmed: Shah Rukh to play astronaut Rakesh Sharma in biopic

Producer Ronnie Screwvala has confirmed that Shah Rukh Khan will begin work on astronaut Rakesh Sharma's biopic early next year. Actress Bhumi Pednekar has also been roped in a role that was earlier to be played by Priyanka Chopra. 

The film, titled Saare Jahaan Se Accha, will be directed by Mahesh Mathai and written by Anjum Rajabali. Screwvala will produce the film, along with Siddharth Roy Kapur, under the RSVP films and Roy Kapur Films banners respectively.

A report in Indian Express, a daily, quoted Screwvala confirming the news: "It [the script] has been with us for quite a long time. The film will go on floors early next year. We will make an official announcement soon." 

Earlier, Aamir Khan had been roped in to play the role of Rakesh Sharma. However, the actor backed out of the project. Later on, Priyanka Chopra too backed out of the film with Firstpost quoting her as saying, "I was approached for that film when Aamir was doing it. We were supposed to do in 2019. Now, I don’t know." 

Shah Rukh is currently awaiting the release of the Aanand L Rai film, Zero.