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Tamannaah Bhatia has stepped into the world of V Shantaram with her new role as Jayashree in the upcoming biographical drama “V Shantaram.” The film traces the life and legacy of one of Indian cinema’s earliest visionaries, and Bhatia joins Siddhant Chaturvedi who plays the filmmaker himself.
The makers released a first look of Bhatia as Jayashree, the respected actor remembered for films such as “Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani,” “Shakuntala,” “Chandra Rao More” and “Dahej.” Jayashree was also V Shantaram’s second wife and an important presence in his creative life. The poster shows Bhatia in a pink Nauvari saree with a look that brings back the tone and texture of early Indian cinema. It hints at the scale of the film and the attention given to the era it hopes to recreate.
In her statement, Bhatia said the role carries weight because of Jayashree’s place in film history. She spoke about the grace Jayashree was known for and the lasting impact of the projects she was part of. She also shared that exploring Shantaram’s life helped her understand how he shaped Indian storytelling during a time of constant change. For her, bringing even a small part of that history to the screen is meaningful.
The film follows V Shantaram’s long journey, beginning in the silent era and moving through decades in which he pushed Indian cinema forward. Born Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre in 1901, he founded Prabhat Film Company in 1929 and Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1942. He directed the first Marathi talkie “Ayodhyecha Raja” in 1932 and went on to make films that balanced artistry with social purpose. Works like “Duniya Na Mane,” “Do Aankhen Barah Haath,” “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje” and “Navrang” remain important for their craft and for the themes they took on, including dowry, communal unity and the dignity of prisoners. His interest in visual expression, song sequences and bold storytelling gave his films a distinct place in Indian cinema. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1985 for his contribution.
“V Shantaram” is written and directed by Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande and is presented by Rajkamal Enterttainment, Camera Take Films and Roaring Rivers Productions. Rahul Kiran Shantaram, Subhash Kale and Sarita Ashwin Varde serve as producers.
With the unveiling of both lead characters and a story rooted in a formative period of Indian filmmaking, the project is shaping into a detailed portrait of a man who changed the direction of cinema and the people who walked beside him.
