Acclaimed actor Dhanush is set to portray the life of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India and one of the nation’s most revered scientists, in a new biopic titled Kalam. The film was officially launched at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, making it one of the most high-profile announcements at this year’s global cinema gathering.
‘Kalam’ will be directed by Om Raut, known for his work on Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and Adipurush, and is being produced by Abhishek Agarwal in collaboration with Bhushan Kumar of T-Series. Positioned as one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious projects to date, the film aims to be a fitting tribute to the man known as the ‘Missile Man of India’ and a Bharat Ratna awardee.
The biopic will chart Dr Kalam’s extraordinary journey from humble beginnings in Rameswaram to becoming the President of India. According to the makers, the film will go beyond the conventional political biography to present a multidimensional portrait of Kalam—as a scientist, a teacher, a poet, and a statesman. It promises to highlight his contributions to India’s indigenous missile and space programs while also reflecting on his deeply human qualities and his inspirational relationship with the youth of the country.
Speaking about the project, director Om Raut stated, “In an era starved of true statesmen, Kalam stood above politics and pettiness. He was known for the power of education, excellence, and indigenous innovation. To bring his story to the screen is both an artistic challenge and a moral and cultural responsibility. His life is a lesson that resonates globally and especially with the youth of the Global South. This is the most important experience of my career.”
Producer Abhishek Agarwal expressed a deep sense of pride in bringing the story to life. “It is an emotional moment for all of us. I am honoured to collaborate with Om Raut, Dhanush, and Bhushan Kumar—stalwarts of Indian cinema. We are privileged to tell the story of our true Bharat Ratna. This will be a landmark film in Indian cinema and a visual spectacle of global standards.”
Bhushan Kumar, whose production house T-Series is backing the project, noted that this marks his third collaboration with Om Raut. “Working alongside Dhanush and Abhishek Agarwal makes this project even more special. Kalam is more than just a film; it is a tribute to a man whose life showed us how vision, dedication, and humility can help shape a nation’s destiny.”
The screenplay has been penned by Saiwyn Quadras, best known for writing acclaimed biopics such as Neerja, Maidaan, and Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran. The writing is expected to blend factual depth with cinematic narrative, bringing alive the milestones of Dr Kalam’s inspiring life story.
With its launch at Cannes, Kalam has already generated significant global interest and is poised to be one of the most anticipated Indian films of the coming year.
