EXCLUSIVE: Pune and Mumbai-based IME Motion Pictures will co-produce Indo-Italian project Lala, to be directed by Goutam Ghose.

An adaptation of Italian writer-producer Sergio Scapagnini’s children’s book Story Of Lala, the film will be shot in English, Hindi and Italian.

Producers already on board the project include Scapagnini’s Indrapur Cinematografica, Amedeo Pagani’s Classic SRL and Abhay Gadgil’s AADI Culturtainment.

Scheduled to start shooting in July 2015, Lala revolves around an 11-year-old boy’s adventures in the big city of Mumbai after he leaves his village to help his poor parents. The film will mark IME Motion Pictures’ first foray into non-Marathi cinema.

“IME has been at the forefront of making good commercial Marathi cinema. The experience of an international co-production can be very significant for us, especially with an experienced and acclaimed director like Goutam Ghose,” said IME founder Suhrud Godbole.

Ghose is a veteran Bengali filmmaker known for films such as Paar (1984) and Abar Aranye (2003).

IME’s recent production credits include Nikhil Mahajan’s thriller Pune 52 and action-adventure Baji, which is slated for February 2015 release. The company’s slate also includes Ashish Bende’s Saat, which is taking part in this year’s Co-production Market at Film Bazaar.