The biopic, entitled Mariyappan, will focus on the life of the 21-year-old who became India’s first Paralympic gold medallist since Athens 2004 by winning top honours in the men’s high jump T42 category at Rio 2016. 

Thangavelu, from Salem district in Tamil Nadu, made a winning jump of 1.89 metres in Rio de Janeiro, with the United States’ Sam Grewe second and fellow Indian Varun Singh Bhati third - both registering jumps of 1.86m.

A poster for the film was unveiled by Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan on his Twitter page.

"Here's presenting the first look of the biopic on #MariyappanThangavelu, our very own national hero, all the best @ash_r_dhanush," Khan wrote. 

The film will include music by Sean Roldan, cinematography by R. Velraj and dialogues by film director Raju Murugan.

Thangavelu, who lost his right leg at the age of five when a bus crushed it below the knee, was one of two Indian gold medallists at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, with compatriot Devendra Jhajharia topping the men’s javelin throw F46 podium.

There was also a silver for Deepa Malik, in the women’s shot put F53, and Bhati's high jump bronze. 

India’s most recent Paralympic gold medal prior to Rio 2016 was won by Jhajharia at Athens 2004 in the men’s javelin throw F44/46.

Their only other victory came courtesy of swimmer Murlikant Petkar, winner of the men’s 50m freestyle three event at the 1972 Games in Heidelberg.

Cash rewards were given to all India’s medallists from the Rio 2016 Paralympics as part of the "Awareness Generation and Publicity" (AGP) scheme.

Thangavelu and Jhajharia were awarded INR3 million (£35,800/$44,000/€42,000) each for their gold medals.