Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; October 17, 2014)

For a long time now, Richa Chadha had been claiming to have signed a foreign film. Turns out that the film titled Bombairiya is being made by an India-born British producer, Michael Ward, and will be shot in the city itself. A source says, “Though Ward is the producer, it is a Hindi film. Richa has been cast opposite Pizza 3D actor, Akshay Oberoi. Pia Sukanya will make her directorial debut with this project, which is slated to go on floors in Mumbai soon.” The script demanded that the film be shot in Mumbai and in Hindi.

Ward says, “Pia and I are essentially Indian at heart and Bombay is an integral part of our being. The story is inspired by a real life incident.” He added that Richa plays a film publicist, who is in the habit of putting out fake news, while Akshay would be seen as a middle-class, IT programmer, who is awkward with girls. “Richa and Akshay are both making a mark in commercial Hindi cinema, so we decided to cast them,” he said.

Richa confirmed her participation in Ward’s film, calling it a ‘great story with immense universal appeal'. “I am thrilled to collaborate with Michael and Pia,” she said.