Tamannaah Bhatia Joins V. Shantaram Biopic as Jayashree
Tamannaah Bhatia, best known for her role in Baahubali, has been cast to portray Jayashree in the forthcoming biographical drama V. Shantaram. She joins Siddhant Chaturvedi, who was recently revealed in the title role, in a cinematic tribute that traces the life and enduring influence of the acclaimed Indian filmmaker.
A first-look poster introduces Bhatia in character as Jayashree, a prominent actor who appeared in films such as Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, Shakuntala, Chandra Rao More, and Dahej. Jayashree also served as V. Shantaram’s second wife and played a pivotal part in his cinematic odyssey.
In the poster, Bhatia is pictured wearing a pink Nauvari saree, a nod to the retro era of Indian cinema. The casting aligns with the recent reveal of Chaturvedi in the titular role, underscoring the film’s scope to depict Shantaram’s evolution from the silent era to his emergence as a towering figure in Indian filmmaking.
Describing the experience, Bhatia said, “Taking on a character rooted in one of cinema’s most influential eras is a significant responsibility. It’s a profound honor to bring Jayashree to life, given her participation in legendary projects and the grace she embodied.” She added, “Shantaram’s legacy continues to shape generations, and exploring his universe has deepened the appreciation for the genius behind the legend. Being entrusted with a piece of that legacy on screen is a uniquely special feeling, and gratitude goes to the makers of V. Shantaram for casting me.”
V. Shantaram, born Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre in 1901, was a trailblazer in Indian cinema whose career spanned nearly seven decades. He established two major studios — Prabhat Film Company in 1929 and Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1942 — and directed Ayodhyecha Raja, the first Marathi-language talkie, in 1932. His body of work includes Duniya Na Mane (1937), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), and Navrang (1959), celebrated for technical innovations and socially progressive themes addressing issues such as communal harmony, dowry, and prisoner rehabilitation. Renowned for lavish set design, inventive song sequences, and rich visual symbolism, his cinema often pursued social change. In 1985, he received India’s highest film honor, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
The biopic V. Shantaram is written and directed by Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande and is produced by Rajkamal Enterttainment, Camera Take Films, and Roaring Rivers Productions. Producers include Rahul Kiran Shantaram, Subhash Kale, and Sarita Ashwin Varde.
