Mumbai: In a major career pivot, Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor has officially signed on to play Lord Ram in director Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus ‘Ramayana’, a two-part epic that will hit theatres over consecutive Diwali — Part One in 2026 and Part Two in 2027. But the divine role came with a sacrifice — the much-awaited biopic on legendary singer Kishore Kumar.

The Kishore Kumar biopic, helmed by director Anurag Basu and in the works for over a decade, has now been shelved, at least with Ranbir in the lead.

Confirming the development in a recent interview, Basu said, “Ranbir had a tough choice in life — Kishore Kumar or Ramayana. It was very difficult for him. In the end, he chose Ramayana, and I think it was the right decision.”

The musical biopic has long been a passion project for both Basu and Kapoor, who previously teamed up for ‘Barfi’ (2012) and ‘Jagga Jasoos’ (2017). Despite their eagerness to reunite, scheduling conflicts and shifting timelines continuously thwarted the project.

“We keep trying to work together, but it’s just not happening,” Basu admitted. With Ranbir out, the buzz is building that Aamir Khan may step into the shoes of the legendary playback singer. While reports suggest initial talks have taken place, Basu remains tight-lipped. “Until everything is finalised and the contract is signed, I don’t think I should speak on it,” he said. “This project has seen many ups and downs over the years. I won’t jinx it by speaking about it.”

Meanwhile, Basu’s latest film ‘Metro… In Dino’, released on July 4, is garnering praise for its ensemble cast and emotional storytelling. His upcoming untitled film starring Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela, initially planned for Diwali 2025, may now shift to early 2026.

As Kapoor steps into the mythological realm with ‘Ramayana’, the fate of the Kishore Kumar biopic — and who might lead it — remains uncertain but closely watched.