‘Honoured and Grateful’: Farhan Akhtar Reacts to His Role As Pandit Ravi Shankar in Sam Mendes’ ‘The Beatles’ Biopic (View Post)
Farhan Akhtar is set to make his Hollywood debut as sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar in Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-film project, 'The Beatles: A Four-Film Cinematic Event'. Joining a cast that includes Harry Lawtey and Lucy Boynton, Akhtar will portray the musical icon who famously influenced the band's evolution and Eastern sound.
Indian actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar is set to make his Hollywood film debut in The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, an ambitious project directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes. Akhtar has been cast as the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, a figure whose mentorship and musical partnership with George Harrison significantly shaped the band’s evolution. The announcement, confirmed by Sony Pictures this month, places Akhtar alongside a high-profile international ensemble in what is being described as one of the most significant musical biopic undertakings in cinema history. ‘Don 3’: Farhan Akhtar Demands INR 40 Crore From Ranveer Singh for Walking out of Project? Here’s What We Know.
Farhan Akhtar Shares Post on Instagram - See Post
Farhan Joins 'Beatles' Film
Taking to Instagram to share his reaction, Akhtar expressed deep appreciation for the role and the chance to work with Mendes, the director behind 1917 and Skyfall. "Honoured and grateful to be part of the ever-expanding legacy of @thebeatles and of Pandit Ravi Shankar ji," Akhtar wrote. "Thank you Sam Mendes... been an ardent admirer of all your work and to be directed by you in this film, is the stuff dreams are made of." Shankar’s inclusion in the narrative underscores the profound influence of Indian classical music on The Beatles, particularly on George Harrison. The maestro famously taught Harrison the sitar, leading to the incorporation of Indian instrumentation in tracks such as Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), Within You Without You, and Love You To. ‘The Beatles’ Movie: Farhan Akhtar To Play Pandit Ravi Shankar in Sam Mendes’ Upcoming Biopic.
'Beatles' Film Adds Key Inner Circle Cast
The latest casting announcement also confirmed several other key figures from the band’s inner circle. Harry Lawtey (Industry) will portray Stuart Sutcliffe, the band’s original bassist often called the "Fifth Beatle." Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) has been cast as Jane Asher, the actress and former fiancée of Paul McCartney who inspired many of his early compositions. Morfydd Clark (The Rings of Power) will play Cynthia Lennon, John Lennon’s first wife. These actors join the previously announced principal cast:
- Harris Dickinson as John Lennon
- Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney
- Joseph Quinn as George Harrison
- Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr
Beatles Biopics Get Historic Music Rights Approval
The project, backed by Sony Pictures and Neal Street Productions, consists of four separate feature films, each told from the perspective of a different band member. The narratives are designed to intersect, chronicling the group’s journey from their early days in Liverpool and Hamburg to their 1970 breakup. Notably, this is the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and the living members of the band Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr along with the families of John Lennon and George Harrison, have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film. All four films are currently in production in the United Kingdom and are scheduled for a simultaneous theatrical release in April 2028.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2026 12:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).