At the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, director Om Raut officially unveiled his upcoming film Kalam: The Missile Man of India, starring Dhanush as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
Om Raut praised Dhanush as the most fitting choice for the role, explaining that the film needed to portray not just Kalam’s achievements—but his spiritual journey, teachings, and introspective essence. “I don’t think there could have been a better choice than Dhanush to bring this spiritual and intellectual depth to life on screen,” Raut commented .The screenplay is written by Saiwyn Quadras, known for acclaimed biopics such as Neerja, Maidaan, and Parmanu .
Produced by Abhishek Agarwal, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, and Anil Sunkara under banners like T-Series and Abhishek Agarwal Arts .
The film aims to one day be a global cinematic tribute to Kalam’s life—his evolution from a modest beginning in Rameswaram to becoming the ‘Missile Man of India’ and the nation’s 11th President .
Om Raut shared that reading Kalam’s memoir Wings of Fire during his college days profoundly shaped his worldview. Now, he sees this biopic as both an artistic challenge and a cultural responsibility—one that resonates deeply with the values of education, innovation, and resilience that Kalam championed .
When you mention “Nobody better than Dhanush to play APJ Abdul Kalam,” you’re echoing Om Raut’s own sentiment—he genuinely regards Dhanush as the ideal embodiment of Kalam’s persona, blending spiritual depth with intellectual gravitas.