Must-Watch Biopics of Rajkummar Rao: From Shahid to Srikanth Before Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story

Shahid (2012) is a critically acclaimed biographical drama directed by Hansal Mehta, featuring Rajkummar Rao in a National Award-winning performance as lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi. The film traces Azmi’s turbulent journey, from being influenced by the 1992 Bombay riots and wrongfully imprisoned under TADA, to rebuilding his life as a fearless defense lawyer fighting for justice for those falsely accused of terrorism. Produced by Anurag Kashyap, Sunil Bohra, Siddharth Roy Kapur, and Ronnie Screwvala, Shahid is a powerful and inspiring story of resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to truth, ultimately leading to his tragic assassination. 

Bose: Dead/Alive is a gripping 2017 historical drama miniseries that delves into the life, mysterious death, and lasting legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Starring Rajkummar Rao in a powerful lead role, the 9-episode series is inspired by Anuj Dhar’s book India’s Biggest Cover-up and traces Bose’s journey from a revolutionary leader to the founder of the Azad Hind Fauj, while exploring the long-standing mystery surrounding his alleged death in a 1945 plane crash. Directed by Pulkit and produced by Ekta Kapoor, the series also features Naveen Kasturia in a key role. It is currently available to stream for free on Amazon MX Player. 

Omertà (2017) is a gripping biographical crime drama directed by Hansal Mehta, featuring Rajkummar Rao in a chilling performance as Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a British-born terrorist of Pakistani descent. The film traces his disturbing journey of radicalisation, from orchestrating the 1994 kidnappings of Western tourists in India to his involvement in the 2002 murder of journalist Daniel Pearl. With supporting performances by Rajesh Tailang, Satwant Kaur, and Timothy Ryan Hickernell, Omertà offers a stark and unsettling look into the mind of one of the most notorious terrorists. 

Srikanth (2024) is an inspiring biographical drama directed by Tushar Hiranandani, starring Rajkummar Rao as visually impaired entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla. The film traces his remarkable journey from a small village in India to becoming the first visually impaired international student at MIT, highlighting the challenges he faced within the education system and society. It also showcases his determination to return to India and build opportunities for others through his company, Bollant Industries. Co-starring Jyothika, Alaya F, and Sharad Kelkar, the film received positive reviews for its motivational story and Rao’s powerful performance. It is currently streaming on Netflix. 

Raftaar
Set against the backdrop of contemporary India’s high-stakes startup and ed-tech ecosystem, Prahaar is an upcoming corporate drama releasing on October 16, 2026. Starring Rajkummar Rao, Keerthy Suresh, Tanya Maniktala, and Rajat Kapoor, and directed by Aditya Nimbalkar, Akshat Ghildial, and Rohan Narula, the film follows an idealistic teacher and an ambitious entrepreneur who co-found an ed-tech company to make education affordable. However, as their venture grows, conflicts over ethics, power, and corporate greed begin to threaten both their bond and their empire.

Prahaar: Ujjwal Nikam Biopic
This upcoming Hindi-language biographical docudrama is inspired by the life of renowned public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. Directed by Avinash Arun and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films along with Jio Studios, the film stars Rajkummar Rao in the lead, alongside Wamiqa Gabbi, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sikandar Kher, and Lalit Prabhakar as Ajmal Kasab. It delves into Nikam’s high-profile legal battles, including the 1993 Bombay Blasts case and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks trial. The film is slated for a theatrical release on August 7, 2026.

Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story
Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story is an upcoming Hindi biographical sports drama that traces the life and legendary career of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Films, the film stars Rajkummar Rao in the lead, with Tanya Maniktala as Dona Ganguly, alongside Saswata Chatterjee and Aparajita Adhya. The first-look poster has already created buzz, showcasing Rao recreating Ganguly’s iconic shirtless celebration at Lord’s during the 2002 NatWest Series final. The film is scheduled to release worldwide on May 14, 2027.