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Farhan Akhtar makes Hollywood debut in Beatles films
Actor to portray Ravi Shankar in Sam Mendes’ four-part biopics.
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Pranavi Sharma - Fri, 13, Feb 2026
- 01:50 EST
- 24
Farhan Akhtar / Instagram
Farhan Akhtar is set to make his Hollywood debut in director Sam Mendes’ upcoming biopics on members of The Beatles, the makers announced Feb. 13.
The 52-year-old actor-filmmaker will portray sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar in the four films. Shankar had a lasting influence on George Harrison’s music, with reports stating that the association changed Harrison’s artistic direction.
Other cast members were also announced. Lucy Boynton will play Jane Asher, Morfydd Clark will appear as Cynthia (Powell) Lennon and Harry Lawtey as Stuart Sutcliffe.
The films will feature Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
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David Morrissey will portray Jim McCartney, Leanne Best will play Aunt Mimi, James Norton will appear as manager Brian Epstein and Harry Lloyd as producer Sir George Martin, often referred to as the ‘Fifth Beatle’ for his role in shaping the band’s sound.
Additional cast includes Bobby Schofield as Neil Aspinall, Daniel Hoffman-Gill as Mal Evans, Arthur Darvill as Derek Taylor and Adam Pally as Allen Klein.
The films will also depict key partners in the band members’ lives. Mia McKenna-Bruce will play Maureen Starkey, Saoirse Ronan will portray Linda McCartney, Anna Sawai will appear as Yoko Ono and Aimee Lou Wood will play Pattie Boyd.
This marks the first time that Starr, McCartney and the families of Lennon and Harrison, along with rights holder Apple Corps Ltd., have granted access to the full life stories and music rights of the band members for a scripted film.
Described as “the astonishing story of the greatest band in history,” the project will present each member’s perspective. Mendes, known for directing ‘Skyfall’ (2012) and ‘Spectre’ (2015), will also produce the films with Pippa Harris.
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