Pankaj Tripathi is set to play former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the biopic ‘Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon Yeh Desh Rehna Chahiye Atal’. The film, based on Ullekh NP’s book The Untold Vajpayee: Politician And Paradox, is set to be released around Christmas 2023.
The biopic was announced on June 28, 2022. The announcement piqued the interest of the audience, who have been waiting to find out who will play Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Pankaj Tripathi, who starred in Mirzapur, has collaborated with the filmmakers on the film, which will be directed by Ravi Jadhav and written by Utkarsh Naithani.
‘Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon Yeh Desh Rehna Chahiye Atal’ is based on the life of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was a co-founder and senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Pankaj Tripathi said of playing Atalji, “It’s my honour to portray such a humane politician on screen. He was not just a politician but so much more, he was an excellent writer and a renowned poet. Getting to be in his shoes is nothing but a privilege for an actor like me.”
“For me as a director, I couldn’t have asked for any better story than that of Atalji. On top of this, having an exemplary actor like Pankaj Tripathi to bring to screen Atalji’s story and the support of the producers. I hope that I can live up to people’s expectations with ATAL.” director Ravi Jadhav added.
About the former Prime Minister
In 1996, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was elected Prime Minister of India. He was forced to resign after the BJP failed to garner enough support from other parties to form a majority. Vajpayee was re-elected Prime Minister of India for a second and third term in 1998 and 1999, respectively. At the age of 93, Vajpayee died on August 16, 2018.
Madhuparna Mitra