Indian production anddistribution outfit UTV has partnered with Fox Searchlight on Mira Nair'sThe Namesake.
The film is based on the 2001Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Namesakeby Jhumpa Lahiri and the script is written by Sooni Taraporewala.
The novel tells the story of a Calcutta family who leaveIndia to come to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the US in the 1960s. There, theyface a tough battle to assimilate.
The $9.6m feature will beco-produced by Fox Searchlight and UTV. Fox has international rights, while UTVwill distribute it in India.
The film will star Indo-USactor Kal Penn, while Nair is reportedly also in talks with Kate Hudson. Indianactors Tabu and Irrfan Khan will play Kal's parents.
UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala ScreenDaily.com: "Associating with Mira Nair is a right blendfor UTV's international co-production plans, the right blend of ethnicitywith global contrast.
UTV is based in Mumbai andhas interests in the production and distribution of television, film andanimation content. It also owns and runs kids channel Hangama. The company isplanning an IPO this year.
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