The film explores the controversies that defined his career
Michael, the upcoming biopic on Michael Jackson, is expected to reignite global fascination with one of music’s most analysed icons when it releases on April 24, 2026.
As Hollywood continues to turn its biggest artists into large-scale cinematic events, it also highlights a quieter trend elsewhere – the way Indian cinema approaches its own artists on screen.
Biopics on Indian musicians and performers exist, but they remain relatively few and often deeply rooted in regional storytelling rather than global spectacle.
From devotional composers and theatre pioneers to folk singers who became cultural flashpoints, these films tend to focus on identity, legacy, and the emotional weight of artistic life rather than worldwide fame.
Taken together, they show how music biopics function as cultural memory in two very different industries, one global and myth-making in scale, the other intimate and rooted in place.
So, if you’re excited to watch Michael, here are five compelling biopics on Indian artists to check out.
Achena Uttam
Achena Uttam offers an intimate portrait of the multifaceted cinematic icon, Uttam Kumar, Bengali cinema’s enduring “Mahanayak”.
The 2022 biographical drama traces his rise from a struggling actor to a cultural phenomenon who redefined stardom in regional cinema.
Known for his magnetic screen presence, Uttam Kumar dominated the industry throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
The film explores both his professional triumphs and private vulnerabilities, revealing the pressures behind his legendary status.
His iconic collaborations with Suchitra Sen, which reshaped romantic storytelling in Bengali cinema, remain central to his enduring appeal.
By peeling back the layers of fame, the biopic presents a nuanced study of a man admired as much for his artistry as for his humanity.
Amar Singh Chamkila
Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila revisits the turbulent life of one of Punjab’s controversial folk icons.
Known as the “Elvis of Punjab”, Chamkila rose from poverty to become one of the highest-selling Punjabi artists of the 1980s.
His unapologetically bold lyrics captured the realities of rural Punjab, earning both adoration and criticism.
The film explores the controversies that defined his career while revisiting the socio-political tensions of the era.
His assassination in 1988, alongside his wife and musical partner Amarjot Kaur, remains one of Indian music’s most haunting tragedies.
Balgandharva
The Marathi biopic Balgandharva celebrates the extraordinary life of Narayan Shripad Rajhans, one of India’s greatest theatrical legends.
Known as Bal Gandharva, he revolutionised Marathi musical theatre with his ethereal voice and commanding stage presence.
At a time when women were barred from performing, he gained acclaim for portraying female characters with grace and authenticity.
The film traces his rise within the Sangeet Natak tradition, highlighting his artistic brilliance and unwavering dedication to performance.
His influence continues to resonate across Indian theatre and classical music.
Annamayya
Few musical biopics capture spiritual devotion as powerfully as Annamayya.
The Telugu-language classic chronicles the life of Tallapaka Annamacharya, the 15th-century saint-poet whose compositions transformed Carnatic devotional music.
Revered as one of the earliest known composers in the genre, Annamacharya is believed to have written more than 32,000 sankeertanas in praise of Lord Venkateswara.
The film charts his journey from worldly curiosity to divine enlightenment, blending history, music, and faith.
Its evocative storytelling underscores the enduring influence of Bhakti traditions on India’s cultural and religious landscape.
Antony Firingee
Antony Firingee is based on Hensman Anthony, a Portuguese-origin poet who embraced Bengali culture.
Immersing himself in the language and traditions of Bengal, he gained renown for his mastery of kabigaan.
The film captures his artistic journey alongside his love for Nirupoma, set against a society constrained by rigid orthodoxy.
Through music and drama, the 1967 biopic reflects themes of identity, acceptance, and cultural assimilation.
Featuring a powerful performance by Uttam Kumar, the classic remains a cornerstone of Bengali cinema.
Biopics on Indian artists may be limited in number, but they leave a strong imprint because of how they choose to tell their stories.
Rather than leaning on spectacle, they focus on the weight of performance and vulnerable moments.
From saint-poets and theatre icons to folk voices like Amar Singh Chamkila, these films preserve cultural memory shaped by sound, stage, and storytelling.
Each film revisits an artist whose influence extends beyond performance, reflecting the societies that shaped them and the audiences they continue to resonate with.
As Michael prepares to revisit one of the most globally recognised figures in modern entertainment, these Indian biopics offer a quieter counterpoint – grounded, regional, and deeply human in their portrayal of artistic legacy.
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