Marathi filmmaker Pramod Gore keen to rope in the actor for his Bollywood project on the late Indian Prez

It's raining biopics in Bollywood and adding to the growing list is a proposed film on India's missile man, late APJ Abdul Kalam. Filmmaker Pramod Gore, whose acclaimed Marathi film 'Reti' released last month, seems to have bagged the rights to portray the struggles and achievements of the former Indian President on the big screen. He is now set to approach Irrfan to play the protagonist.

A source says, "Gore visited Kalam's home in Rameswaram where he met his brother to gain insight into the great man's life."

The film will be titled APJ and go on floors during July-August, the source reveals, adding, "The makers are planning to release it next year. The director is yet to be finalised, but they are keen to cast Irrfan as Kalam."

Gore confirms the news and says, "There is so much that Kalamji has done for our nation; he is an inspiration for all of us. I travelled all the way to Rameswaram because I want to be thorough and not falter in conveying a story as great as this. Moreover, I had to seek permission from his family before going ahead with the film. I have also bought all of his 22 written works, including Ignited Minds, Wings of Fire, India 2020 and The Kalam Effect as research material. It is not easy to weave an entire life into a two-and-a-half hour film and I want capable hands on board for it. That's why I want to cast Irrfan as Kalam; I think he will be able to do justice to the film."