Ritesh Batra is all set to launch Raj Rishi More, who helped him research his directorial debut, The Lunchbox, and assisted him through the course of the film. “I wrote the script and showed it to Ritesh a year ago. He really liked it and agreed to collaborate with me on the film. Being a filmmaker himself, he had his own insights to offer which enhanced the script considerably. It will be his first production,“ says Raj. The film, Pirates, revolves around a young engineer who is trying to live his dream of making it big as a professional illustrator while supporting his family. “It is about chasing your passion. We haven't got down to thinking about the casting yet,“ says More.

The script will be pitched to international producers at the NFDC Film Bazaar Co-Production Market at International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa next month. “These independent movies have a local producer and director. A platform like this which brings together international filmmakers under one roof, gives us an opportunity to present our script to them and hope to take it to a global audience. The Lunchbox too started its journey at this market and that makes me optimistic for my directorial debut.“

The film will be shot in Mumbai, mid next year.