Om Raut Is Back! After Adipurush Debacle, He's Set To Dhanush In Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Biopic

Nearly two years have passed since Adipurush hit the screens, but the wounds it left behind still linger. Widely criticised for its execution, the film is often labelled as one of the biggest cinematic missteps in Indian film history.

However, time has a way of moving forward, and so do producers. In a surprising twist, they’ve once again placed their trust in director Om Raut, handing him the reins for an ambitious new biopic titled Kalam, based on the inspiring life of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

The film will feature Dhanush in the lead role, portraying the ‘Missile Man of India’. This marks a significant shift in tone and subject matter for Raut, as he attempts to redeem his directorial reputation with a story rooted in science and patriotism.

© Instagram/Om Raut

Announcing the movie on his social media, Raut wrote, “From Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the journey of a legend begins…India’s Missile Man is coming to the silver screen. Dream big. Rise higher. #KALAM - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮.”

From Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the journey of a legend begins…
India’s Missile Man is coming to the silver screen.
Dream big. Rise higher. 🌠#KALAM - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮@dhanushkraja @omraut #BhushanKumar @AbhishekOfficl @AAArtsOfficial pic.twitter.com/2497f31zI2

— Om Raut (@omraut) May 21, 2025

The reactions

Users are enraged after this development and have suggested that producers should not invest in Om Raut again.

One user commented, “Wish someone else other than Om Raut directed this. How did others missed out on the opportunity of making a biopic on this great man before.”

Wish someone else other than Om Raut directed this. How did others missed out on the opportunity of making a biopic on this great man before.

— Thalassophile (@thalassophile63) May 22, 2025

Another user commented, “Om Raut literally made a disasster in Adipurush hurting the sentiment if millions. Now he has taken up a project about India's pride and most respected man.”

Om Raut literally made a disasster in Adipurush hurting the sentiment if millions. Now he has taken up a project about India's pride and most respected man.

— Cricket Vibes_Arjav (@IamArjav) May 22, 2025

One user reacted, “Ghatiya director,wahiyat producer milkar ek nek insaan ki biopic Bana rahe hai... propaganda movies banane wale bhadwe isme bhi Kuch na kuch propaganda hi dikhayege. Kyuki inki kamai hi propaganda karne se aati hai.”

Ghatiya director, wahiyat producer milkar ek nek insaan ki biopic Bana rahe hai... propaganda movies banane wale bhadwe isme bhi Kuch na kuch propaganda hi dikhayege. Kyuki inki kamai hi propaganda karne se aati hai

— faizan ahmed (@faizan1638) May 21, 2025

Another user reacted, “That stupid idiot is on his way to destroy another legend's story, and if a single audience shows up, then they can be considered more stupid than the director himself.”

That stupid idiot is on his way to destroy another legend's story, and if a single audience shows up, then they can be considered more stupid than the director himself. Why hasn't he committed suice yet

— Ajit Sharma (@tweetdeAjit) May 21, 2025

The Adipurush debacle

After winning a National Award for Tanhaji, Om Raut directed Adipurush starring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles, which received a lot of trolling because of its poor VFX and bad character execution.

The film was a huge critical and commercial failure.