Ram Gopal Varma Eyes Daya Nayak Biopic, Possible Company Universe Tie-In

In a move that could reshape the biopic landscape, veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is reportedly in early talks to helm a cinematic portrait of former Mumbai Police encounter specialist Daya Nayak. Industry insiders say the project is in development, with a major studio poised to back it, and a screenplay currently in the shaping stage.

Varma is said to be collaborating with writers to decide how best to capture Nayak’s career—a career that includes more than 80 high‑profile encounters during the city’s late‑1990s underworld crisis. According to sources speaking to Mid‑Day, the idea of a Nayak biopic has simmered for years, but momentum has surged in recent months as the team refines the narrative lens and script structure.

Nayak joined the Mumbai Police in 1995 and rose to prominence as an encounter specialist in the Detection Unit. He is credited with 87 encounters and has been a polarizing figure in debates over police conduct. His career has already inspired Bollywood, most notably the 2004 drama Ab Tak Chhappan, which loosely mirrored his work.

Varma has long toyed with the notion of a sequel to his 2002 gangster drama Company, tentatively titled Company 2, which would focus on encounter specialists rather than gangsters. In 2010, discussions explored integrating such a story into the broader Company universe, and Nayak was reportedly considered a consultant during those early talks. It remains unclear whether the biopic will stand alone or become part of a cinematic franchise.

The director’s recent slate includes the crime thriller Syndicate, described as a tribute to new‑generation filmmaking, and the political crime drama Sarkar 4, which will reunite Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in their iconic roles. The Sarkar 4 script is reportedly locked, and production is expected to move forward after initial work on Syndicate.

At this stage, no formal announcement has been made regarding the Daya Nayak biopic, and it is unclear whether a production company has signed on or a release window has been set. The project remains in the early development phase, with a focus on screenplay development and narrative framing. Industry observers note that the film’s progress will likely hinge on the outcome of Varma’s other projects and the availability of a studio willing to back a biographical crime drama.

Varma’s filmography—including landmark titles such as Satya (1998), Company (2002), and the 2004 drama Ab Tak Chhappan—has earned him a reputation for realistic portrayals of law enforcement. This background makes him a natural choice for a project that seeks to balance action with investigative detail.

The Mumbai Police’s encounter unit, where Nayak served, was a focal point in the city’s fight against organized crime in the 1990s. The unit’s operations were frequently criticized for extrajudicial methods, and Nayak himself has been a polarizing figure. A biopic would need to navigate these controversies—a challenge that Varma’s experience with sensitive subject matter could address.

Industry insiders say the studio backing the project is a major player in Bollywood, though its name has not yet been disclosed. The studio’s involvement would provide the budgetary support needed for a high‑budget crime drama, including location shoots in Mumbai and archival footage.

Casting decisions remain unannounced. However, Varma’s previous collaborations with actors such as Abhishek Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan suggest that the film could feature a high‑profile cast. The decision will likely depend on the script’s final form and the availability of actors.

The biopic’s release window remains speculative. Given Varma’s schedule, a 2027 release could be plausible if production proceeds after the completion of Sarkar 4 and Syndicate. The timing would also align with the anniversary of Nayak’s most famous encounters.

A potential link to the Company universe could attract fans of Varma’s gangster trilogy. If the biopic is integrated into that franchise, it would expand the narrative scope of the series, connecting the world of Mumbai gangsters with the world of police encounter specialists.