Veere Di Wedding director Shashanka Ghosh is now adapting a Hollywood film for the Indian screen with Bhushan Kumar and Vikram Malhotra
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 19, 2019)

While speaking to Mirror (June 21, 2018) earlier, Shashanka Ghosh who last directed the Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania girl bonding film Veere Di Wedding, had revealed that he wants to direct three films a year. Now, we have learnt that the filmmaker will helm the official Hindi adaptation of John Carney’s 2014 American film Begin Again. The musical comedy-drama had featured Oscar-nominated actors Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley. While he is popular as the ‘Hulk’, she is best known for the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise and Pride & Prejudice. Pop rock band Maroon 5’s lead singer Adam Levine was seen alongside the duo. Scripted by Arshad Syed, the Hindi film will be produced by Bhushan Kumar and Vikram Malhotra. It will roll later this year.

“We want to tell a story about the world of music and fresh voices on the Indian scene, and through that, offer a take on urban relationships that don’t necessarily mean love, marriage and happily ever after. The worlds explored here are deeper—heart, hurt, passion, and above all, music. The only commonality with Veere Di Wedding is that this too has an urban setting,” informs Shashanka, adding that they will start approaching actors once they have locked the script and recorded the score.

The original which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) revolves around Gretta (Knightley) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Levine), college sweethearts and song-writing partners, who decamp for New York when he lands a deal with a major music label. The trappings of his new-found fame soon tempt Dave to stray. Lovelorn Gretta’s life takes a turn for the better when Dan (Ruffalo), a disgraced record label exec, stumbles upon her performing on an East Village stage and is captivated by her raw talent. From this chance encounter emerges an enchanting portrait of a mutually transformative collaboration, set to the soundtrack of a summer in New York City.

“We are thrilled to adapt Begin Again for the Indian audience. It’s a soul-stirring film with disarming emotional candour and intimacy. The film’s music is brilliantly woven into the story. Aside from being a successful film when it released and receiving rave reviews, it’s the film’s magical take on relationships that works best, and we plan to retain that in our Hindi adaptation,” says Vikram.

The song “Lost Stars” was nominated for the Oscars in the Best Original Song category and Bhushan points out that they have an opportunity to create some outstanding music too. “The original film is a masterpiece, appreciated alike by critics and the audiences. We are still in the writing process but I hope to get together the best soundtracks from our musicians for a unique album,” Bhushan promises.