Rolling out more stories from the stable of J P Films is producer Nidhi Dutta’s focus these days. The producer has lined up five projects, including Border 3, a biopic on war hero General Harbaksh Singh, and a drama chronicling Operation Sindoor (Jawans back on screen duty, June 23). Sharing details about her ambitious slate, Nidhi revealed to mid-day that work on the war drama franchise’s third instalment is underway.

“Border 3 is already in the writing process. I’m not going into the kind of story it is or which battle it is just yet. It’s too soon,” she smiled. 

One story on her slate remains particularly close to her heart — a web series on the life of her late grandfather and writer-director Om Prakash Dutta. Will it be a docu-series?

“No, it will be a drama series. My grandfather’s life had enough drama in it,” laughed Nidhi, before indicating that they will rope in an actor to portray her father J P Dutta in the series. 

Prep and research on the show — that will span the late filmmaker’s life, beginning from Partition — are going on in full swing. “[We will depict] how Dadaji came to Mumbai, became a part of the film industry’s founding years, and finally where the family legacy has gone. There is so much material. Dadaji had so many greats as colleagues and friends. With most of them not being alive now, we have to touch base with their families and get information. Also, I’ve heard so many stories [from him],” said the producer, who aims to take the series on floors in the next few months. 

Beginning his career with ‘Pyar Ki Jeet’ (1948) that starred Suraiya, OP Dutta directed eight more feature films. Eventually, he turned to writing and penned most of his son JP Dutta’s movies, including ‘Border’ (1997), ‘Refugee’ (2000), and ‘Umrao Jaan’ (2006)