Then again, you could say Vikrant has made a spiritual matter of public record. In a video on Instagram that has some fans riled up, the National Award-winner opened up about what it means to be the face of ‘White’ as the guru. He put it simply: the man is his home and his guide. The 2025 release has people wondering what kind of a film it will be when it finally puts those teachings and humanitarian efforts on screen.
Why it was so well received
This wasn’t a hard sell; it was a show of faith. Massey referred to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as his Gurudev and expressed his thanks for being allowed to tell his story. There is a scarcity of that kind of humility these days, and it was met with an open hand by the public. Here was an actor standing before a giant with respect, not posturing.
You can see why it struck a chord with more than just his usual following:
– A part in life, not just on paper
– Referring to him as ‘Gurudev’ and ‘margdarshak’
– An international team at work in 2025
– The support of Marflix, Mahaveer Jain and Peacecraft
The intent of ‘White’
The folks over at Siddharth Anand’s Marflix, along with Mahaveer Jain Films and Peacecraft, are making no bones about it: ‘White’ is something other than a run-of-the-mill biopic. According to the producers, you will find a focus on resolving conflict and the sort of humanitarian causes we know the guru for.
They have brought in an international crew to give the story some heft. It is a move that speaks to quality, and one that should keep any hint of preaching out of the way in favour of a more assured kind of cinema.
When the star power and the guru crossed paths
Even before he was in front of the camera, there was a bit of a scene. A few big names like Vikrant, Sunil Grover, Rajkumar Hirani and Sajid Nadiadwala were in the same room as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and of course, social media had to have its say. If you watch the footage, you see the kind of easy rapport you get when the world of film and the world of the spirit come together.
A bit of levity from Sunil
Sunil Grover, being who he is, put in a good word for himself with a question: “All the top producers and directors will fawn over me, but then they don’t make a film with me. What am I to do?” It was a line that had everyone in stitches. The video went around in a flash, showing you can have a laugh and still be in good company.
Hirani and the ‘PK’ story
Rajkumar Hirani put in a word for how things used to be. He told of a time he asked if he could shoot ‘PK’ at The Art of Living in Bengaluru and thought he would be turned down. But the Gurudev was right there with him, he said, and liked the idea of putting a spotlight on the charlatans in the field. The 2014 film, with Aamir Khan and the rest of the cast, had the backing of Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Hirani for a reason.
How Massey sees it
He put it out there without a filter: he is grateful to be in the shoes of someone he looks to for stability. That is where the feeling for ‘White’ is coming from. People want to see some truth in the performance because they have already seen it in the man.
Now that they are in the middle of shooting in 2025, there is a lot of forward motion. It is not just about having a famous subject; it is about an actor who can be as still as he is intense, and the ideas he is going to put in front of us.
And a love story for the road
Vikrant has been keeping his options open. Lately you can catch him in ‘Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan’, a romance from a Ruskin Bond tale. Shanaya Kapoor makes her first appearance here, with Santosh Singh at the helm.
It hit the multiplexes on July 11. If you are watching his work, the swing from a soft-hearted romance to a biopic with some weight to it is a fine example of a year of contrasts.
What is at stake
People are talking about ‘White’ for a reason. It is not only the subject. It is the fact that you can trust Massey to be true to it. Add in a story of peace and resolution from Marflix, Mahaveer Jain and Peacecraft, and you have a film that is worth the attention.
Judging by the response online and that get-together, viewers are in the mood to be shown how he makes devotion look like a drama. The hype is well and truly deserved.
