Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Filmmaker Ritesh Batra, best known for directing The Lunchbox, is bringing together Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan and French actor Mlanie Laurent for his upcoming film, Long Years Ago. Set in 1991, the film is a family comedy-drama that will be shot largely in Mumbai.
The project will be backed by Jio Studios, led by Jyoti Deshpande, who was also associated with the production of Dhurandhar.
advertisement
According to Deadline, Long Years Ago centres on a family that has spent years avoiding important conversations. The story explores what happens when its members are finally forced to express feelings they have kept to themselves.
Speaking about the project, Batra said he was delighted to work with the three actors and see them bring his characters to life.
“I am tremendously honored to be working with Saif, Vidya and Melanie, and to see these great actors bring characters that are so close to my heart to life,” the filmmaker said.
Saif Ali Khan also expressed his excitement about the film, saying he connected with its story from the beginning.
“Collaborating with Melanie, Vidya, and this exceptional team is exciting, and I can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience this deeply moving story,” the actor said in a statement.
Vidya Balan revealed that she had wanted to work with Batra ever since watching his critically acclaimed 2013 film The Lunchbox, which starred Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur.
The casting of Laurent adds an international dimension to the project. The French actor said she had known Batra for nearly 15 years, having first met him at the Marrakech Film Festival. The two had discussed the possibility of working together in Mumbai during their first meeting.
“I met Ritesh 15 years ago at the Marrakech Film Festival, and we shared this dream to meet in Mumbai one day. I immediately loved this new project, and I am more than honored and happy to be a part of it,” Laurent said in a statement.
Apart from The Lunchbox, Batra has directed films like Our Souls at Night and Photograph. He recently directed the first block of the upcoming Netflix series Unaccustomed Earth.
Saif was recently seen in Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan, while Vidya was part of the cast of Jailer 2, which stars Rajinikanth.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
