Abhinav Bindra Biopic Starring Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor Officially Shelved; Here's Why
After years of delays, the Abhinav Bindra biopic starring Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor has been officially shelved.
After years of anticipation, development updates, and media buzz, the biopic on Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has officially been shelved. The film, first announced in 2017, was to star Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor in the lead role, with Anil Kapoor co-producing and expected to play Bindra’s father. Despite the excitement surrounding the project, it will no longer move forward.
The biopic was based on Bindra’s autobiography, A Shot at History: My Obsessive Journey to Olympic Gold, which detailed his relentless pursuit of excellence in the sport of shooting and his historic win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Bindra remains a landmark figure in Indian sports history, being the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics. Given the significance of his achievement and his disciplined, introspective personality, the story seemed like a natural fit for a compelling sports drama.
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Harsh Varrdhan had been vocal about his passion for the project. In an earlier interview with The Times of India, he emphasized his desire to stay true to Bindra’s journey and had said, “I want the Abhinav Bindra biopic to be a theatrical. We are trying to develop a narrative that is true to who Abhinav is." He was not only set to play the lead but was also actively involved in the production process alongside his father.
However, despite the team’s commitment and years of effort in pre-production, things didn’t fall into place. A source close to the project revealed, “The script lacked the drama and energy required for it to translate into a feature film. At best, it would work as a docudrama. Everyone involved gave it their best, but after many rounds of discussion and development, the conclusion was that it just wouldn’t work as a theatrical release."
Over the years, updates on the film surfaced sporadically, often sparking renewed interest and speculation. Anil Kapoor had previously reassured fans that the film was still in progress, telling Mid-Day, “It is happening. The pre-production is underway. It’s going to be a special film." But despite those efforts and reassurances, creative and narrative challenges persisted.
Now, Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor has confirmed the shelving of the project. Speaking to Bombay Times, he said plainly, “Yes, the Bindra biopic has been shelved."
Harsh, who last appeared in the critically acclaimed OTT film Thar, is now turning his attention to other projects. While the Bindra biopic may no longer be happening, Harsh and Anil Kapoor continue to explore content that pushes boundaries and brings meaningful stories to the screen.
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