Shruti Haasan has been added as the lead of the India-UK film co-production Chennai Story. The actor, who was recently seen in Salaar, has previously headlined the British thriller The Eye and the American series Treadstone.
Chennai Story is an adaptation of The Arrangements of Love (2004) by Timeri N Murari. A coming-of-age romantic drama, the adaptation was initially set to star Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead, but the actor has now taken a sabbatical for health reasons.
Shruti will be seen as Anu, a spirited detective in Chennai Story, which will be set in the backdrop of Wales and India. The cast also stars Viveik Kalra, who was recently seen in Netflix's Lift. BAFTA winner Philip John, known for Downtown Abbey, is the writer-director of this film. Nimmi Harasgama, British Sri Lankan actor has co-written the script with John.
An English language film, Chennai Story will also feature the Tamil and Welsh languages. The technical crew of the film consists of Graham Frake (cinematographer) and Ciaran Thompson (production designer).
Guru Films, Ripple World Pictures and Ie Ie Productions are co-producing the film, which will be made under the co-production treaty of the bilateral UK-India.
As per a report on Variety, Shruti said, "Hailing from Chennai, a story showing the diversity and uniqueness of Chennai is so special to me – collaborating with Phil is something I’m so excited to experience, telling global and rooted stories through international collaboration is what making cinema is all about. I’m all up for Sunitha Tati’s vision of taking a culturally-rooted story to an international audience through Chennai Story."
Further, John said, "I’m thrilled to be teaming up with the incredibly talented Shruti, on an emotional roller coaster of a story set in Chennai and Cardiff – two vibrant and multicultural cities. With the support of BFI, this film brings a whole new collaboration to international film production, while also bringing a fresh, under-explored Wales and India to the big screen."
