Literary boom: Books being brought to life

BOLLYWOOD is embracing books in a big way and look­ing to literature for inspiration. That is why there are high-profile film and television projects on the way that are based on popular novels. With that in mind, here are some books being bought to life onscreen.

Calling Sehmat: Harinder Sikka’s debut novel based on a real-life female spy from the 1971 Indo-Paki­stani war has been adapt­ed into Bollywood film Raazi. Alia Bhatt plays the lead role in the Meghna Gulzar-directed espionage thriller about a Kashmiri Muslim woman who put her own life in danger to help her country.

The Fault In Our Stars: The John Green novel success­fully made into a Hollywood film of the same name is get­ting an Indian remake, with Sushant Singh Rajput and newcomer Sanjana Sanghi in the lead roles. The romantic drama revolves around two patients who meet in a sup­port group and fall in love, despite an uncertain future.

Confessions Of A Thug: The best-selling crime novel set in 18th and 19th century British India, written by Philip Meadows Taylor, has been adapted into high-profile Bol­lywood film Thugs Of Hindostan. Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Katrina Kaif star in the fictional story of a girl going on a revenge mission.

The Girl On The Train: The Paula Hawkin’s 2015 novel has already been adapted into a successful Hollywood film with Emily Blunt in the lead role. The story of a trou­bled woman who witnesses something shocking happen­ing from a train is being adapted by Ribhu Dasgupta star­ring Jacqueline Fernandez.

The Zoya Factor: The 2008 novel by Anuja Ch-auhan revolves around a client service rep with an advertising agency who inadvertently sees her life get transformed when she becomes the lucky charm for the Indi­an cricket team. Bolly­wood has adapted the book into a romantic comedy directed by Abhishek Sharma, with Sonam Kapoor and Dulquer Salman in the lead roles.

Indira – India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister: Sagari­ka Ghose’s 2017 biography of the late Indian leader Indi­ra Gandhi explores key events from her life, including her failed marriage and numerous political battles. Vidya Ba­lan will realise her dream of playing Indira in the big screen adaptation of the book.

The Confession of Sultana Daku: Sujit Saraf’s 2009 novel based on real events revolves around a swashbuckling bandit in the 1920s who is finally captured by a British of­ficer and hanged. Randeep Hooda is attached to play the notorious outlaw, who was also a Robin Hood-type figure in the Madhureeta Anand-directed drama.

The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Un­making of Manmohan Singh: The memoirs of former prime minister Manmohan Singh’s media advisor are be­ing adapted into Bollywood film The Accidental Prime Minister. Anupam Kher and Akshaye Khanna play the lead roles in the political drama based on real events.

Tikli And Laxmi Bomb: Writer-turned-filmmaker Aditya Kriplani has made his directorial debut with the big screen adaptation of his third novel. The story of two sex workers who come together to take on the system in Mumbai’s underbelly has been delighting audiences at film festivals. It is due for release later this year.

Sacred Games: The ac­claimed Vikram Chandra novel has been adapted into a drama series for Netflix, with Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte in the lead roles. The story of a police officer who is drawn into a much larger conspiracy while on the hunt for a notori­ous gangster premieres on July 6, 2018.