Actor-director Farhan Akhtar is gearing up for his Hollywood debut in filmmaker Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-part biographical project centered on “The Beatles.” Akhtar is set to portray the iconic sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, known for his close relationship with the British band and hosting them during their memorable trip to India in the late 1960s.
Sony Pictures has officially announced Akhtar’s casting in “The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event,” alongside other talented actors including Lucy Boynton as Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark as Cynthia Powell, and Harry Lawtey as Stuart Sutcliffe, the original bassist of the band.
This venture marks Akhtar’s significant foray into international feature films, following a brief appearance in the 2022 Disney+ series Ms. Marvel. Specifics regarding his filming schedule for the Beatles movies have not yet been revealed.
Under the direction of Sam Mendes, the four-part cinematic series will delve into the lives of the Fab Four, with each segment narrated from a different band member’s perspective. The star-studded lineup includes Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
Additionally, the ensemble cast boasts Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as Brian Epstein, and Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono, among others. The screenplay has been expertly crafted by Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne.
Mendes has shown great excitement about introducing a unique storytelling approach to the band’s saga, aiming to redefine the cinematic experience for global audiences. The films are currently in production, with a worldwide theatrical release scheduled for April 2028.
