Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is set to bring the inspiring life story of Padma Bhushan Pankaj Patel, the renowned philanthropist and Chairman of Zydus Lifesciences, to the silver screen in a highly anticipated biopic. The announcement, which has created a buzz in both the film and pharmaceutical industries, was reported by Ahmedabad Mirror, stating, “Lights, camera, Pankaj Patel! Zydus Lifesciences Chairman Pankaj Patel’s life to be turned into a biopic; veteran actor Anupam Kher to play his character.”
Anupam Kher to portray Padma Bhushan Pankaj Patel in biopic on Zydus Lifesciences chairman
Pankaj Patel, a towering figure in India’s lifesciences sector, was conferred the Padma Bhushan in January 2025, one of the country’s highest civilian honors, recognizing his monumental contributions to healthcare innovation and nation-building. The biopic aims to chronicle his journey from humble beginnings to leading Zydus Lifesciences, a global pharmaceutical giant operating in over 80 countries, while highlighting his commitment to affordable healthcare and philanthropy.
The genesis of this cinematic venture reportedly took place during a conversation between Patel and Kher on March 2, 2025, at the Zydus Corporate House in Ahmedabad. According to Ahmedabad Mirror, Kher posed a “personal” question to Patel: “Lots of biopics are being made on well-known personalities, and now that you are a Padma Bhushan awardee, would you consider one on your life as well?”
With a lighthearted remark about managing his appearance—“Don’t worry about my hair, I can get a good wig made”—Kher expressed keen interest in portraying Patel. The industrialist responded affirmatively, saying, “If my life’s learnings can go to the masses and people can learn something from it, why not? I want to give to society but not own it.”
For the unversed, Patel’s story is one of resilience and vision. Born into a family with entrepreneurial roots—his father founded Zydus over seven decades ago—Patel transformed the company into a discovery-driven powerhouse employing over 27,000 people worldwide. A Master’s graduate in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology from L.M. College of Pharmacy and an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, he has authored over 100 research papers and co-invented more than 64 patents. His leadership extends beyond business, with roles on prestigious boards like the Reserve Bank of India, IIM Ahmedabad, and Invest India, alongside his extensive charitable work through the Zydus Foundation and Gujarat Cancer Society.
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