Neha Dhupia to make her International film debut with Blue 52

Award-winning Egyptian filmmaker Ali El Arabi has roped in Neha Dhupia for his upcoming directorial Blue 52. With this film, Neha will officially be entering international waters, as this will mark her international film debut.  

Ali El Arabi has previously won honours at festivals like Hot Docs and El Gouna for his documentary film, Captains of Za-atari. With Blue 52, Ali is all set to explore the side of fiction. It is set to be placed in the scenic landscapes of Kochi, Kerala, India, and a few places in Qatar. 

Blue 52 will revolve around Ashish, a 22-year-old isolated on the backwaters of Kochi by his father after the latter loses his older son. Having grown up as a boy trapped in a man's body, Ashish has little exposure to the world and knows nothing more than his idol, Lionel Messi. Of course, the life lessons taught by his mother over the years also come in handy, when he finally decides to step out of Kochi and travel to Qatar to meet Messi at the World Cup of 2022.

Neha Dhupia is set to essay the lead role in Blue 52. She is set to be seen as a character that's unlike any other she has played before. In an official statement, actor Neha Dhupia said, "Embarking on the journey of Blue 52 has been nothing short of magical. The fusion of diverse cultures in this international venture allowed me to delve deep into a character that is both challenging and emotionally resonant. It's a transformative experience that I believe will leave a lasting impact and I’m glad that Ali chose me to essay the lead in what is my international first”.

Ambient Light is presenting the film which is set to also be produced by Ali along with Tariq Al-Naama. Krysanne Katsoolis, Joe Matthews and Katara Studios will be co-producing.

Meanwhile, Neha, who was last seen in A Thursday in 2022, is currently working on her OTT debut which is yet to be titled. It is said to be a family drama based on mental health challenges.