| File:Ajey-Poster.jpg
| |
| Directed by | Ravindra Gautam |
|---|---|
| Written by | Dilip Bachchan Jha & Priyank Dubey |
| Produced by | Ritu Mengi |
| Starring | Template:Plainlist |
| Cinematography | Vishnu Rao |
| Edited by | Manan Sagar |
| Music by | Meet Bros
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | Template:INR crore[1]
|
Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi is a 2025 India political drama film, directed by Ravindra Gautam[2] and produced by Ritu Mengi under the banner of Samrat Cinematics.[3][4] The film, officially released on 19 September, 2025, is inspired by Shantanu Gupta's book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, and stars Anant Joshi as Yogi Adityanath, the incumbent chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.[5][6] It received mixed reviews from the critics and became a box office bomb.
Plot
The film follows the journey of a boy from the hills of Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand) who went on to become one of India's most influential political leaders. It traces his transformation from a quiet, introverted child into a Yogi, and later, a reformist politician. Through his struggles, bold decisions, and unwavering leadership, the story explores how he overcame challenges to ultimately lead India's largest state.
Cast
- Anant Joshi as Yogi, based on Yogi Adityanath[7]
- Paresh Rawal as Yogi's Guru, based on Mahant Avaidyanath[8]
- Dinesh Lal Yadav
- Ankur Thakur, as Mushtaq Ansari, brother of Mushtaq Ahmed
- Ajay Mengi as Raghu, a devotee of Matha
- Pavan Malhotra
- Garima Vikrant
- Rajesh Khattar as Mushtaq Ahmed, a mafia member
- Sarwar Ahuja
- Bhagwan Tiwari
- Jatin Negi
- Akash Mahamana as Bala, a devotee of Matha
Production
Development
The concept for the film originated from Shantanu Gupta's 2017 book. Following the book's success, Gupta collaborated with Priyank Dubey, a film industry associate, to develop the book into a film and started working on the story.[9]
Filming
Principal photography for the film commenced in 2024 across various locations in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, aiming to authentically depict Yogi Adityanath's journey from his birthplace to his political career. The filmmakers emphasized maintaining factual accuracy and cultural sensitivity throughout the production process.[9] Filming was completed by May 2025, with the project entering post-production.[10]
Release
The first motion poster of the film was released on 26 March 2025.[11]
Theatrical
The film was scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 1 August 2025.[12][13][14] But it was not released as CBFC denied certification to the film. After the certification from CBFC, the film is scheduled to release on 19 September 2025.[15]
Box office
Made with a budget of almost 15 crore,[16] the movie earned 1.5 crore during the first week since its release.[17]
Reception
Himanshi Tiwari from India TV gave the film 3 stars out of 5, praising the performances, direction, screenplay, cinematography and background score.[18] Rishabh Suri from Hindustan Times gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5 and praised the cinematography and performances, while feeling the film struggled under the weight of its own ambition.[19]
See also
References
- ↑ https://www.bollymoviereviewz.com/2025/09/ajey-the-untold-story-of-a-yogi-box-office-collection-day-1-worldwide-budget.html
- ↑ Biopic being made on UP CM Yogi Adityanath. India Herald. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ↑ First look of biopic 'AJEY- The Untold Story of a Yogi' shows transformation of Yogi Adityanath. The Times of India(2025-03-26). Retrieved 2025-03-27.
- ↑ Yogi Adityanath biopic AJEY drops first look: A story of politics and power!, Web, Statesman. The Statesman(2025-03-26). Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ First look of biopic 'AJEY- The Untold Story of a Yogi' shows transformation of Yogi Adityanath. The Times of India(26 March 2025). Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ↑ Yogi Adityanath's Journey Comes Alive In Ajey: The Untold Story Of A Yogi, Motion Poster Out Now. News18. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
- ↑ AJEY- The Untold Story of a Yogi: First look of Yogi Adityanath's biopic drops, netizens say 'next PM of India after Modi Ji'. DNA India. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ↑ Yogi Adityanath's Journey Comes Alive In Ajey: The Untold Story Of A Yogi, Motion Poster Out Now. News18. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Yogi Adityanath's journey set for big-screen adaptation. How Madhur Bhandarkar kick-started project, Srivastava, Prashant. ThePrint(2025-04-01). Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ↑ UP के CM योगी आदित्यनाथ पर बनी अजेय-द अनटोल्ड स्टोरी:अनंत जोशी निभा रहे हैं लीड रोल, डायरेक्टर रविंद्र गौतम बोले- उनके चेहरे में योगी जैसी मासूमियत. Bhaskar(4 May 2025). Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ↑ Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi brings Yogi Adityanath's life to the screen. India Today(26 March 2025). Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ↑ Ajey Biopic Release: 'Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi' to Hit Cinemas Aug 1. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-06-07.
- ↑ Yogi Adityanath's Biopic Ajey Set To Hit The Theatres On This Date. News18. Retrieved 2025-06-07.
- ↑ On Yogi Adityanath's birthday, makers of 'Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi' announce release date, IANS. IANS News(2025-06-05). Retrieved 2025-06-07.
- ↑ Film inspired by Yogi Adityanath stuck in censorship row. The Hindu(2025-08-07). Retrieved 2025-08-10.
- ↑ Near-empty theatres, viewers split: Yogi biopic finds few takers in UP, Kumar, Avdhesh. Newslaundry(2025-09-25). Retrieved 2025-09-27.
- ↑ ‘Ajey: The Untold Story of Yogi’ based on life of Yogi Adityanath ends Week 1 with over Rs 1.5 crore collection. The Times of India(2025-09-26). Retrieved 2025-09-27.
- ↑ Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi Movie Review: Ravindra Gautam's film captures every aspect of CM Yogi's life. India TV. Retrieved 19 September 2005.
- ↑ Ajey The Untold Story of a Yogi review: This biopic on Yogi Adityanath has good performances, struggles to find balance. Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 September 2005.