Yesterday, it was announced that the biopic about renowned filmmaker V. Shantaram, featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Tamannaah Bhatia, has been delayed until 2027. The film’s production is now set to start in April of next year. The team plans to film outdoor scenes first and will take advantage of the monsoon season for indoor shoots.
With the V. Shantaram project delayed, director Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande is shifting his attention to a new series titled Kambli, which will stream on ZEE5. This series is based on the life of former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli and is being produced by Ravi Bhagchandka’s 200NotOut Productions, known for the popular documentary Sachin: A Billion Dreams.
Deshpande shared that he began working on Kambli back in 2019. Alongside V. Shantaram, he has collaborated closely with producer Ravi Bhagchandka to create a fresh and engaging narrative. “It’s a human story and not just a sports film,” he explained, emphasizing the depth of Kambli’s life experiences.
Initially, Deshpande had in mind a Marathi feature film, but as he researched Kambli’s life, he realized that a series format would be more suitable to capture the complexity of his story. “There’s so much material and drama in his life that it can’t all fit into one movie. A series will help his story reach a broader audience,” he added.
While casting for the series hasn’t been finalized, the producers are looking for a newcomer who resembles Kambli. They aim to portray his life and character with sensitivity and authenticity. Although exact filming dates are still to be determined, plans are in place to start shooting in November 2026, hoping to wrap up in three to four months. After finishing Kambli, Deshpande will then return to work on V. Shantaram.
The series Kambli will tell the fascinating and tumultuous story of Vinod Kambli, from his rise as a promising talent to the personal and professional challenges he faced throughout his career. It aims to go beyond the headlines and explore the mix of achievements and struggles that defined his life.
