Farhan Akhtar opts out of ‘Lalkaara’; Sidhant Gupta comes on board for Aamir Khan’s sports drama – Reports |

Farhan Akhtar opts out of ‘Lalkaara’; Sidhant Gupta comes on board for Aamir Khan’s sports drama – Reports

A major casting update has emerged from ‘Lalkaara’, the upcoming sports drama that reunites Aamir Khan and director Ashutosh Gowariker after the success of ‘Lagaan’. Actor Farhan Akhtar, who was originally attached to the project, has reportedly exited the film. He has now been replaced by Sidhant Gupta, who will take over the role in the much-anticipated period sports drama.

Farhan Akhtar steps away from the film

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Farhan Akhtar has decided to leave ‘Lalkaara’ because of scheduling conflicts. The actor is preparing to portray legendary music composer R.D. Burman in filmmaker Neeraj Pandey‘s upcoming biographical drama. The role reportedly demands extensive preparation along with a dedicated shooting schedule, making it difficult for Farhan to balance both projects at the same time.The report further states that ‘Lalkaara’ also requires months of cricket training and a lengthy filming schedule. With both projects demanding significant time and commitment, Farhan is said to have prioritised the R.D. Burman biopic starring Akshay Kumar and stepped away from the sports drama on amicable terms.

Producer role remains unchanged

Although Farhan will no longer appear in front of the camera, his association with the film has not ended. He continues to be attached as one of the producers. Reports suggest that the casting change has not affected the production schedule, with the makers quickly finalising a replacement before filming begins.

Sidhant Gupta joins the cast

Actor Sidhant Gupta has now joined ‘Lalkaara’ in place of Farhan Akhtar. Over the past few years, Sidhant has earned praise for his performances in projects such as ‘Inside Edge’, ‘Jubilee’, ‘Black Warrant’, and ‘Freedom at Midnight’. He is expected to portray one of the close friends of Aamir Khan’s character in the film. The casting marks another significant project for the actor as he joins an ensemble led by Aamir Khan under the direction of Ashutosh Gowariker.

Aamir Khan to portray Lala Amarnath

‘Lalkaara’ is based on the historic 1952 India-Pakistan Test series, one of the most significant chapters in Indian cricket history. The film also marks the much-awaited reunion of Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker nearly 25 years after Lagaan, which became one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated sports dramas.The screenplay has been written by Piyush Gupta, known for Dangal and Chhichhore, along with Neeraj Singh, who co-wrote Nil Battey Sannata. The story is expected to explore friendship, sporting rivalry and national pride against the backdrop of post-Partition India.

Aamir Khan will play Lala Amarnath, independent India’s first Test captain, who led the national side during the inaugural Test series against Pakistan. Principal photography is scheduled to begin on October 1 in Mumbai. Farhan Akhtar was last seen as a lead actor in the historical war film ‘120 Bahadur’, released on November 21, 2025, in which he portrayed Major Shaitan Singh.