Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir Kapoor Varinder Chawla

Ranbir Kapoor will reportedly play the role of legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand in an upcoming biopic, after Shah Rukh Khan opted out of the project.

The makers of the film have approached the Kapoor lad to play the lead in the film and are reportedly in advanced talks with the actor. Kapoor, who is currently in Corsica shooting for Imtiaz Ali's "Tamasha", however, has not confirmed the deal yet, reported The Times of India.

"Ila is in the process of completing the script of the movie. The movie shoot will begin soon. Talks are going on for signing Ranbir Kapoor for the lead role." Rajat Bedi, brother of Ila Bedi Dutta who is writing the script, told the daily.

"Dhyan Chand" is produced by Pooja Shetty and the movie will showcase how the sportsman's extraordinary game during his career earned him three Olympic gold medals in three consecutive Olympic seasons in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

The news of Khan in "Dhyan Chand" started streaming in after the "Happy New Year" star portrayed the role of a hockey coach in the blockbuster "Chak De! India" (2007). Although no official announcement was made in this regard, rumors had it that Dutta was keen to rope Khan, as she finds him best suited for the role.

Reports also claimed that the "Chennai Express" star was producing the project, but the actor denied such reports.

It now remains to be seen whether Kapoor decides to take up the challenging role or it gets passed on to another actor. 

Another biopic on five-time world champion and Olympic medal-winning boxer, Mary Kom is set to hit theatres on 5 September. "Mary Kom" played by Priyanka Chopra has been directed by Omung Kumar and is based on the life and struggle of a woman born to a landless farmer in a village in Manipur and her subsequent rise to mark herself as a legendary boxer.