Farhan Akhtar will play sitar maestro Ravi Shankar in Sam Mendes’ upcoming four-part Beatles film series. The films, told from each band member’s perspective, are set for theatrical release in April 2028.
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Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar is about to enter Hollywood, and it’s not just any role. He’s been cast as sitar legend Ravi Shankar in a new four-part film project on The Beatles, helmed by director Sam Mendes.
The news came straight from Sony Pictures, confirming Akhtar’s involvement in the international venture.
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Fans of both Indian music and British rock history are already buzzing. Akhtar will step into the shoes of Shankar, the musician who introduced George Harrison to Indian classical music in the 1960s.
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Harrison’s fascination with the sitar and Eastern spirituality shaped some of The Beatles’ most experimental tracks making this portrayal a crucial part of the film series’ story.
New casting announced for The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, directed by Sam Mendes.
Farhan Akhtar will star as Ravi Shankar
Lucy Boynton will star as Jane Asher
Morfydd Clark will star as Cynthia (Powell) Lennon
Harry Lawtey will star as Stuart SutcliffeIn cinemas… pic.twitter.com/Ls0IH5NOGs
— The Beatles (@thebeatles) February 12, 2026
The project is ambitious: four standalone films, each told from the perspective of one Beatles member, covering their meteoric rise and eventual split in 1970.
The makers have secured life story and music rights, which promises authenticity and lets the story dive deep into the band’s personal and professional lives. All four films are scheduled for theatrical release in April 2028.
The main cast includes Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison.
The supporting lineup reads like a who’s who of recent Hollywood talent:
– Lucy Boynton as Jane Asher
– Morfydd Clark as Cynthia Lennon
– Harry Lawtey as Stuart Sutcliffe
– Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney
– Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono
– Aimee Lou Wood as Pattie Boyd
– Mia McKenna-Bruce as Maureen Starkey
– James Norton as manager Brian Epstein
– Harry Lloyd as producer George Martin
Akhtar’s Hollywood experience includes Ms. Marvel, but this role as Ravi Shankar is his first major international acting assignment. It’s a big shift from his Marvel appearance moving into historical biopics with global stakes.
Meanwhile, back in India, Akhtar is making headlines with ‘Don 3’. Reports suggest there could be changes in the film’s casting.
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