A biopic titled Untold Story of Raju Kalakar is officially underway. Producer Sudarshan Vaidya’s Shri Rang Entertainment and director Rocky Mulchandani will bring to life the incredible journey of Raju Kalakar, a puppeteer turned viral internet sensation.
Raju grew up in Nagaur, Rajasthan, performing puppet shows and playing the drum. Limited opportunities pushed him to Surat, Gujarat. There, he worked odd jobs and struggled to support his family. His life took a dramatic turn after a train journey inspired him. He learned, over 15 days, how to play music using two stones he kept between his fingers.
One day, a friend filmed him singing “Dil Pe Chalai Churiyan”, a 1995 hit accompanied by those stones. The reel, posted in June, exploded in popularity. It amassed over 146 million views, over a million likes, and countless shares. His soul-stirring performance even caught the eye of Bollywood legend Sonu Nigam, who later collaborated with Raju on a remake of the same song, produced by T-Series. Choreographer Remo D’Souza also extended his support.
At the film’s reveal, Raju reflected: “I dreamed of making a name in music and supporting my family through hard work. Yet I never imagined that a simple reel of me playing music on stones would draw this kind of attention from industry veterans.”
Director Rocky Mulchandani says the goal is to inspire youth through Raju’s story of determination. The script is nearing completion. Casting is next. Shooting is expected to begin later this year.
