Nagraj Manjule's 'Khashaba' unveils first teaser, 2027 release
Jio Studios and Aatpat Productions have unveiled the first teaser and a worldwide release date for Nagraj Manjule's Marathi biopic Khashaba. The film follows Olympic wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav and opens in theaters globally on January 1, 2027. The announcement marks a major milestone for one of India's most acclaimed regional filmmakers and sets a firm calendar slot for a story rooted in national sporting history.
The nagraj manjule8217s 8216khashaba8217 unv rollout gives audiences their first look at a project Jio Studios has positioned alongside recent Marathi and Hindi successes. Variety reported the teaser played in theaters before its digital release, signaling a theatrical-first launch strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Jio Studios and Aatpat Productions released the Khashaba teaser alongside a confirmed worldwide theatrical date of January 1, 2027.
- The Marathi-language biographical sports drama centers on Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, independent India's first individual Olympic medalist.
- Director Nagraj Manjule returns to Marathi cinema after Fandry, Sairat, his Hindi debut Jhund, and the Prime Video series Matka King.
- Ajay-Atul composed the score, while a newcomer chosen from thousands of auditions leads an ensemble including Jitendra Joshi and Mahesh Manjrekar.
- Jyoti Deshpande and Gargee Kulkarni produce the film, which Jio Studios is backing after Dhurandhar and Raja Shivaji.
What Is 'Khashaba' About?
Khashaba is a Marathi-language biographical sports drama about Indian Olympic wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav. The story traces his rise from Maharashtra's traditional akharas, or wrestling mud-pits, to a bronze medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
That victory made Jadhav independent India's first individual Olympic medalist. The newly released teaser frames competitive wrestling against the backdrop of a newly independent nation, pairing Manjule's storytelling instincts with a chapter of sporting history that remains widely celebrated.
When Does 'Khashaba' Release Worldwide?
Khashaba opens in theaters worldwide on January 1, 2027. The teaser debuted in cinemas before reaching digital platforms, suggesting Jio Studios intends to build buzz through a traditional theatrical rollout rather than a streaming-first release.
For viewers tracking upcoming Indian film calendars, the New Year's Day slot positions Khashaba as an early 2027 tentpole. More release alerts across regional and global cinema are available in our Streaming & TV Alerts section.
Why Does This Mark a Comeback for Nagraj Manjule?
The film marks Manjule's return to Marathi-language cinema after his National Film Award-winning Fandry and 2016 hit Sairat. It follows his 2022 Hindi-language feature debut Jhund, starring Amitabh Bachchan, and Matka King, his Prime Video series with Vijay Varma that premiered earlier in 2026.
Jio Studios, which previously backed the Dhurandhar duology and Raja Shivaji, is producing alongside Aatpat Productions. Manjule directs while Jyoti Deshpande and Gargee Kulkarni serve as producers, reuniting major industry partners around a prestige Marathi project.
Who Stars in 'Khashaba'?
The lead role went to a new performer selected through an audition process spanning thousands of candidates, with the actor's identity still under wraps. Composers Ajay-Atul created the film's score, adding musical firepower to a wrestling saga built for the big screen.
The supporting cast includes Jitendra Joshi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Girish Kulkarni, Vaibhav Mangale, Chhaya Kadam, and Gargee Kulkarni. That ensemble rounds out a film designed to introduce a national hero's journey to both Marathi audiences and wider international viewers when it lands in theaters on the first day of 2027.