Editor-screenwriter Apurva Asrani will make his directorial debut with an upcoming drama starring Manoj Bajpayee. The film, which is themed around mental illness, will go on floors by the end of the year. Apurva and Manoj have previously collaborated on Satya and Aligarh. 

“Pleased to announce my solo directorial debut, co-produced by and starring my Satya and Aligarh star, Manoj Bajpayee. Our script traces the emotional journey of a forgotten genius who is slowly losing his mind,” Apurva shared on social media. 

“Since awareness and support for mental health issues is sharply lacking in India, we chose the 'Mental Health Awareness Month' to make this announcement,” he added. 

Manoj Bajpayee, who was last seen in Abhishek Chaubey’s Sonchiriya, is presently filming for the Netflix movie Dhaka, co-starring Chris Hemsworth. On the other hand, Apurva, who is known for his association with filmmaker Hansal Mehta, recently edited the web series, Made in Heaven, created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti.