In a major development, Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s initial announcement in November 2021 about collaborating with Downton Abbey’s director, Philip John, for an Indo-British project has taken a surprising turn. The English film, originally intended as an on-screen adaptation of Timeri N Murari’s best-selling 2004 novel, The Arrangements of Love, will now feature Shruti Haasan as the lead, alongside Viveik Kalra.
Titled “Chennai Story,” this romantic comedy is set in both Wales and India. Shruti is set to portray Anu, a spirited private detective. The film, penned and directed by BAFTA-winner Philip, with co-writing credits going to Nimmi Harasgama, will predominantly be in English, with sporadic usage of Tamil and Welsh. The narrative is set to explore themes of self-expression and acceptance.
Expressing her excitement about the project, Shruti Haasan, produced by Sunitha Tati of Guru Films, remarked, “Hailing from Chennai, this story that showcases the diversity and uniqueness of the city is special to me.” She adds, “I look forward to collaborating with Phil. Telling rooted stories via international collaborations is what making cinema is all about.” The British Film Institute’s UK Global Screen Fund is also backing the film.
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The Arrangements of Love revolves around the story of a bisexual Tamil woman running a detective agency. A Welsh-Indian man embarks on a quest to find his estranged father, with Shruti portraying the detective aiding him and Viveik playing the man in search of his father. Despite Samantha’s initial audition for the role of Anu, it appears the makers have decided to move forward without her, given her current break from work.
Shruti Haasan, recently seen in Prasanth Neel’s Telugu film Salaar with Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is set to star alongside Adivi Sesh in the Hindi-Telugu project Dacoit. Rumors are circulating about her potential collaboration with Yash in the Kannada film Toxic, though official confirmation is pending. Additionally, Shruti features in the British psychological thriller, The Eye, co-starring Mark Rowley and directed by Daphne Schmon.