Kolkata: National Award-winning filmmaker and Padma Shri recipient Madhur Bhandarkar is set to bring the life and legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee to the big screen with his upcoming film, provisionally titled Syama – The Missing Chapter. The project will follow the completion of his upcoming film The Wives of Bollywood.
Backed by producer Aditya Kumar Halwasiya and jointly produced by Bhandarkar Entertainment and AKH Ventures, the film will explore the life of the scholar and statesman, whose political career spanned a significant period in India’s history.
The narrative will trace Dr. Mukherjee’s journey from becoming the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta to serving in independent India’s first Cabinet under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It will also examine his ideological differences with the government, his resignation from the Cabinet, the founding of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951 and his 1953 campaign against the permit system in Jammu and Kashmir, including the circumstances surrounding his death in detention.
Positioned as a historical drama with elements of a political thriller, Syama – The Missing Chapter aims to revisit an important chapter of India’s political history and introduce his life and legacy to a new generation of audiences.
Producer Aditya Kumar Halwasiya said the film seeks to highlight Dr. Mukherjee’s life, convictions and contribution to the nation while encouraging audiences to engage with India’s history and heritage. Director Madhur Bhandarkar said exploring Dr. Mukherjee’s life presents a demanding filmmaking challenge and expressed his intention to portray the historical chapter with honesty, sensitivity and a fresh perspective. The film is scheduled to go on floors in 2027, while further details about the cast and release timeline remain under wraps.