Farhan Akhtar recently made headlines at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards in London, where he spoke about his upcoming role as the legendary sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. He is set to star in Sam Mendes’ highly anticipated project, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event.
Speaking on the red carpet, Farhan shared his thoughts on being cast in such an important role. He admitted that the opportunity is both a thrill and a challenge. In a statement to AP, he said, “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 multi-film project by Sam Mendes is a massive one, and the casting for the series has recently been confirmed. Alongside Farhan Akhtar as Ravi Shankar, the films will star Lucy Boynton as Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark as Cynthia Lennon, and Harry Lawtey as Stuart Sutcliffe. The core members of The Beatles will be played by Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney), Joseph Quinn (George Harrison), and Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr).
Farhan also touched upon the deep connection India has with The Beatles. He shared a personal story from his father, Javed Akhtar, who lived in a village near Lucknow when the band became a global phenomenon. According to Farhan, his father mentioned that even in places where English was not spoken, everyone knew The Beatles.
Farhan referred to Ravi Shankar’s influence on the band, particularly on George Harrison, saying, “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.
Apart from his acting news, Farhan celebrated a major victory at the BAFTAs for his work as a producer. The Manipuri-language film Boong, co-produced by his banner, won the award for Best Children’s & Family Film. It is the first Indian film to win in this category.
Talking about the win, he told Deadline that he and director Lakshmipriya Devi have known each other for two decades. He mentioned, “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.
The Beatles biopic films are scheduled for a theatrical release in April 2028.
Also Read: Farhan Akhtar’s Boong Wins Big at BAFTAs 2026
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: filmfare.com
