Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor will play either Varun Dhawan's or Ranbir Kapoor's father in the Abhinav Bindra biopic "Ek Thi Daayan". The Kannan Iyer-directorial is a sports-drama based on the Olympian shooter's life. 

"Abhinav Bindra's father Apjit Bindra was instrumental in ensuring Abhinav won the gold at the Olympics. Director Kannan Iyer spent close to three years researching the Bindra story. The biopic is being made in close association with the Bindras. After going through their entire story Kannan decided to format the film as a father-son story," a source told SKJ Bollywood News.

Abhinav Bindra won India's first ever individual Olympic gold medal in the men's 10 metres air rifle event at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Elaborating on Rishi Kapoor's role, a source close to him said: "It's the role of a very upright principled man who dreamt big dreams for his son. Rishi feels a very close affinity to the role as his own Ranbir was born on the same day and in the same year as Abhinav Bindra."

It is said the "Kapoor and Sons" actor has already started working on his role, character and looks.

The lead actor has not been chosen yet; it could be either Varun or Ranbir, but the latter's chances have increased due to his father playing a role in the movie. It is said that both the actors have shown their interest in the project; the makers of the film are likely to finalise the one whose dates are available. Varun was earlier in the news in connection with the biopic on Dhyan Chand while Ranbir has been roped in to do a biopic on Sanjay Dutt.

Many biopics are in the offing in the coming months — Aamir Khan's "Dangal," based on the life of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and Sushant Singh Rajput's "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story" on cricketer Dhoni. The news of a biopic on Saina Nehwal was also doing the rounds and it was rumoured that Deepika Padukone may feature in it. A biopic on Dhyan Chand's life is also on the cards.