Chennai Story is based on the novel ‘The Arrangements of Love’. It stars Shruti and Viveik Kalra and is directed by Philip John of Downton Abbey fame.
In November 2021, Samantha Ruth Prabhu announced plans to work with Downton Abbey’s director, Philip John, on an Indo-British project. The English film is based on an adaptation of Timeri N. Murari’s best-selling 2004 novel, The Arrangements of Love. The coming-of-age rom-com, however, will now star Shruti Haasan, along with Viveik Kalra.
SHRUTI HAASAN STARS IN INDO-UK CO-PRODUCTION… BAFTA WINNER PHILIP JOHN TO DIRECT… #ShrutiHaasan will headline #ChennaiStory, an Indo-UK co-production backed by the British Film Institute’s [#BFI] UK Global Screen Fund.#ChennaiStory – a cross-cultural rom-com – is an #English… pic.twitter.com/HuXwSnJCKI
— Taran Adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 24, 2024
Shruti is pumped to be on board
Produced by Sunitha Tati of Guru Films, Shruti expresses her excitement about joining the project. “Hailing from Chennai, this story that showcases the diversity and uniqueness of the city is special to me. I look forward to collaborating with Phil. Telling rooted stories via international collaborations is what making cinema is all about,” she adds. The British Film Institute’s UK Global Screen Fund also backs the film.
Chennai Story
Chennai Story is a coming-of-age rom-com set in Wales and India. Shruti will play Anu, a spunky bisexual private detective. Philip, a BAFTA winner, wrote and directed the movie, with Nimmi Harasgama contributing to the screenplay. The film will predominantly be in English, interspersed with a little Tamil and Welsh. It will address the themes of self-expression and acceptance.
About Viveik Kalra
Viveik Kalra is an English actor who is known for his role in 2019’s Blinded by the Light. He also stars as Peter in the science fiction film ‘Voyagers’, along with Tye Sheridan, Fionn Whitehead, Colin Farrell, and Lily-Rose Depp. In 2022, he played Troye Sivan’s love interest in the film ‘Three Months’.
In 2023, he joined the cross-cultural romantic comedy film titled “Chennai Story’ with Indian superstar Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Now, she is replaced by another Indian actress, Shruti Hassan.