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BAFTAs 2026: Farhan Akhtar On Playing Ravi Shankar In The Beatles Film, Says ‘It’s Exciting And Daunting’
BAFTAs 2026: Farhan Akhtar On Playing Ravi Shankar In The Beatles Film, Says ‘It’s Exciting And Daunting’
Farhan Akhtar stars as Ravi Shankar in Sam Mendes’ The Beatles biopic, while his co-produced film Boong wins Best Children’s and Family Film at the BAFTAs.
It was a big night for Farhan Akhtar in London… red carpet, global headlines, and a BAFTA win for a film he backed. But amid the celebrations, all eyes were also on his next big screen move: stepping into the shoes of sitar legend Ravi Shankar in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles project.
The actor-filmmaker attended the BAFTA Film Awards weeks after confirming his casting in The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, directed by Sam Mendes. Speaking to AP on the red carpet, Akhtar opened up about portraying Ravi Shankar and acknowledged the scale of the opportunity.
“Oh, I’m really excited. It’s exciting. It’s daunting, of course. And, I mean, just to be a part of a film that’s about this incredible group of people, the Beatles, and to be directed by Sam Mendes.”
The ambitious multi-film project will chronicle the story of The Beatles, with Harris Dickinson cast as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. The films are scheduled for theatrical release in April 2028.
Recent casting announcements also confirmed Lucy Boynton as Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark as Cynthia Lennon and Harry Lawtey as Stuart Sutcliffe.
Reflecting on The Beatles’ popularity in India, Akhtar shared a memory recounted by his father, veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar. He said, “My father told me the story, because he was in his 20s, when The Beatles really became the worldwide phenomenon that they were. And he lived in a little village just outside this place called Lucknow in the north of India. He said, even there, where people didn’t speak English at all. If you asked them, ‘Do you know anybody from the West?’ they would all say, The Beatles. Everybody knew them.”
He added, “So, there is a relationship, that our country has with them through their music, of course. And it feels like they’re making a film about somebody who belongs to the culture as well.”
Ravi Shankar famously influenced the band’s sound, particularly George Harrison’s work, by introducing Indian classical music elements into Western pop compositions — a cultural exchange that left a lasting mark on global music.
Alongside the excitement surrounding his new role, Akhtar also had reason to celebrate at the BAFTAs themselves. The Manipuri-language film Boong, which he co-produced, won Best Children’s & Family Film — making it the first Indian film to secure the honour in that category.
Speaking to Deadline about backing the project, he said, “Lakshmipriya Devi and I have known each other for about 20 years. This film is set in a region of India from which we rarely get to watch films. It was nice to support that as well, and it’s a very heartwarming story. So, it just felt right.”
Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, Boong was the only Indian nominee at the ceremony and emerged victorious over international contenders including Zootropolis 2, Lilo & Stitch and Arco.
Source: news18.com
Source: OfficeNewz
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