The Untold Story of a Yogi, is set to bring the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to the silver screen later this year. Based on the 2017 book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister by author Shantanu Gupta, the movie traces Adityanath’s journey from a young boy in Uttarakhand to a revered monk and, ultimately, the Chief Minister of India’s most populous state.
The film’s title derives from Yogi Adityanath’s birth name, Ajay Singh Bisht, and features actor Anant Joshi in the lead role. Veteran Bollywood actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal lends his voice as the film’s narrator, adding gravitas to the narrative. The teaser, released recently, provides glimpses into the remarkable transformation of Adityanath’s life.
The Journey from Book to Film
Shantanu Gupta, the author of the book on which the movie is based, shared insights into how the project came to life. After the book’s release in 2017, he was frequently invited to literary events to discuss its contents. It was during one such event in Noida that filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar suggested turning the book into a film. Inspired by this idea, Gupta started exploring the cinematic adaptation.
In 2020, Gupta collaborated with Priyank Dubey, a film industry professional, to develop the script. Later, in 2022, during a visit to the United States, he met producers Ajay Mangi and Ritu Mangi, who decided to back the project under their newly established production house, Samrat Cinematics.
Production and Cast
To ensure a high-quality production, the team enlisted director Ravindra Gautam, known for his work on the political web series Maharani 2. Screenwriter Dilip Bachchan Jha worked alongside Priyank Dubey to craft the screenplay, aiming to meet Bollywood standards for compelling storytelling.
The film was shot across multiple locations, including Lucknow and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Garhwal in Uttarakhand, and Mumbai. Lead actor Anant Joshi, who hails from Uttarakhand, underwent extensive preparation to master Adityanath’s dialect and persona.
The film also features Bhojpuri star and BJP politician Dinesh Lal Yadav, popularly known as Nirahua, along with actors Pavan Malhotra, Rajesh Khattar, Ajay Mengi, Garima Vikrant Singh, and Sarwar Ahuja in key roles.
Themes and Narrative
The movie delves into Yogi Adityanath’s early life, his ascension as a spiritual leader, and his foray into politics. It highlights his campaign against organized crime in Gorakhpur and his vision for governance. However, sources indicate that the film does not mention the Hindu Yuva Vahini, an organization Adityanath founded in 2002, which is briefly discussed in the original book.
Government officials in Uttar Pradesh have clarified that the state has no involvement in the film’s production. Shishir Singh, Director of Information & PR for the state, stated, “The government has not been asked for any permission regarding this movie. We are only aware that it is based on Shantanu Gupta’s book.”
Anticipated Release and Multi-Language Availability
Once completed, Ajey will be released in Hindi and will also be dubbed in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam to reach a broader audience. While an official release date has yet to be announced, producers expect the film to hit theaters in the latter half of this year.
Commenting on the film’s significance, producer Ritu Mengi stated, “Yogi Adityanath’s life is a story of resilience, transformation, and leadership. Through this film, we aim to bring his inspiring journey to audiences worldwide in a compelling and engaging manner.”
As the anticipation builds, Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi promises to offer a gripping narrative of one of India’s most influential political figures.
