A Biopic on Stoneman, ‘Raju Kalakar’!

Under the banner of Shri Rang Entertainment, producer Sudarshan Vaidya and director #RockyMulchandani are bringing a biopic on an artist who rose from zero to hero and has managed to win the admiration of Bollywood legends. The film is currently titled Untold Story of Raju Kalakar. Talking about the film, the producer said, “This is not just the story of an artist’s life but also a source of inspiration for many. The way Raju faced hardships and earned a prominent place in the world of art is truly unimaginable. His unparalleled success after years of struggle can inspire countless others who are still finding their path.” The film’s director Rocky Mulchandani added, “Our aim in making this film is to deliver a message to the youth. If you pursue your goal with complete dedication, success will surely follow. The idea of making a biopic on a common man came from the uniqueness of Raju’s journey. This is the extraordinary story of an ordinary person, who turned two simple stones into musical instruments and sang melodious songs that captured the hearts of millions, including Bollywood veterans. This, indeed, is a remarkable achievement. From zero to hero, Raju has truly come a long way.” Raju, who was present at the film’s launch, shared, “I always dreamed of making a name in the world of music while supporting my family through hard work. But I never imagined that one day Bollywood legends would recognize and appreciate my art.” A resident of Nagaur, Rajasthan, Raju initially earned a living through puppet shows where he played the drum. Despite financial struggles, he never gave up. Since income opportunities in Rajasthan were limited, he moved to Surat, Gujarat, where he survived doing small jobs. “While traveling on a train, I discovered the art of creating music with two stones held between my fingers, and I soon mastered it,” he recalled. The turning point in his life came when a friend made a short reel of his performance and uploaded it on social media in June. The video went viral, featuring him singing Dil Pe Chalai Churiyan from Bewafa Sanam (1995) to the rhythm of two marble stones. It garnered over 17.4 crore views, 44 lakh shares, and 1.61 crore likes. Bollywood veteran singer #SonuNigam also praised Raju and collaborated with him on a remake of the song, produced by T-Series. Famous choreographer Remo D’Souza extended his support as well. Raju expressed gratitude to Shambhubhai and Rockyji for making a film on the life of a common man like him. Finally, director Rocky Mulchandani confirmed that the script of the film is in its final stages. The process of selecting Bollywood artists will begin soon, and the shooting is scheduled to commence later this year.

By Keerti Kadam