Entertainment
Akshay Kumar to play his real-life father-in-law Rajesh Khanna in R D Burman biopic? Here’s what we know
The actor could reunite with Neeraj Pandey for a special role in the upcoming R D Burman biopic, starring Farhan Akhtar as the legendary composer.
Could Akshay Kumar be about to step into one of the most unexpected roles of his career?
The actor is reportedly set to portray legendary Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna in an upcoming biopic on iconic music composer R D Burman. The film will feature Farhan Akhtar in the lead as Burman and is being directed by Neeraj Pandey.
If the casting reports are accurate, the role carries an unusual personal connection for Akshay. Rajesh Khanna was not only one of Hindi cinema’s biggest stars but also Akshay’s real-life father-in-law, as he was the father of Twinkle Khanna, Akshay’s wife, and actor Dimple Kapadia.
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Akshay has been approached to recreate Khanna’s part in the story, which will focus on the fascinating professional relationship between Burman and the superstar.
Why Akshay Kumar could be the obvious choice
The relationship between R D Burman and Rajesh Khanna was one of the most influential creative partnerships of Hindi cinema.
Their collaborations produced songs that remain popular decades later, with Burman’s music becoming an important part of Khanna’s superstar image.
A source quoted by Bollywood Hungama said that the makers wanted to recreate the special dynamic between the two icons and felt Akshay was a natural choice because of his personal connection to the Khanna family.
The source reportedly said, “The dynamic of Rajesh Khanna and R D Burman was special”, adding that Akshay’s family equation with Twinkle Khanna and Dimple Kapadia made him an obvious choice.
Akshay reportedly allots 10 days for the role
While Akshay’s appearance is expected to be relatively brief, it may not be an insignificant one.
According to the report, the actor has reportedly allotted around 10 days for filming.
The production is expected to begin in October 2026, with Akshay’s portion being treated as an extended cameo.
That could mean the film will use Rajesh Khanna at an important point in Burman’s story rather than attempting to cover the superstar’s entire life.
The reported casting is particularly intriguing because Akshay is also said to have been a huge admirer of Rajesh Khanna.
A personal connection adds another layer
Akshay’s relationship with Rajesh Khanna makes the casting difficult to ignore.
Khanna, who was married to Dimple Kapadia, became Akshay’s father-in-law after Akshay married their daughter Twinkle.
That connection could give the actor a particularly personal understanding of the man he is being asked to portray.
However, the role will also come with enormous expectations.
Rajesh Khanna remains one of the most iconic actors in Indian cinema history. His extraordinary popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s earned him the tag of India’s first superstar.
For Akshay, the challenge will be to capture Khanna’s screen presence without simply imitating his mannerisms.
Farhan Akhtar steps into R D Burman’s shoes
At the centre of the project is Farhan Akhtar, who will portray R D Burman.
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Farhan has previously undergone major physical and performance transformations for biographical roles, most notably when he played legendary athlete Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.
His casting as Burman therefore adds another layer of anticipation to the project.
The film is expected to explore the composer’s creative journey as well as his relationships with some of the biggest names in Hindi cinema.
Rajesh Khanna’s presence could be particularly important because of the music they created together.
Neeraj Pandey and Akshay reunite
The project also brings Akshay Kumar and Neeraj Pandey together again.
The actor-director duo previously worked on films including Special 26 and Baby, both of which earned strong critical and audience responses.
Their reunion comes more than a decade after their last collaboration, making the R D Burman biopic an interesting addition to their filmography.
Pandey is known for grounded storytelling and real-world subjects, which could make him a suitable filmmaker for a project centred around one of India’s most influential musical figures.
Excel Entertainment is backing the project
The R D Burman biopic is being produced by Excel Entertainment.
The makers reportedly plan to recreate a significant period of Hindi cinema, with several other well-known personalities from the era expected to appear in the story.
Casting for those roles is reportedly still underway.
That means the final ensemble could feature actors portraying some of the most recognisable figures from Bollywood’s golden musical era.
Will Akshay actually play Rajesh Khanna?
For now, the reported casting should be treated as an early development until the makers officially confirm Akshay’s involvement.
But if the reports prove accurate, seeing Akshay Kumar portray Rajesh Khanna — his own father-in-law — could become one of the most talked-about elements of the R D Burman biopic.
With Farhan Akhtar playing Burman, Neeraj Pandey directing and Akshay potentially stepping into the shoes of one of Bollywood’s greatest superstars, the film already has a fascinating combination of talent.
And if the story truly recreates the Burman-Khanna partnership, audiences could get a glimpse of one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated musical relationships from an entirely new perspective.
