Shooting is underway in India on The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2, Fox Searchlight’s first ever sequel and follow-up to the 2012 $135m global hit.

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy and Dev Patel are among the returning cast alongside new addition Richard Gere.

John Madden directs once again from a screenplay by Ol Parker. Returning producer Blueprint Pictures’ Graham Broadbent and Peter Czernin will produce and Participant’s Jeff Skoll serves as executive producer.

Fox Searchlight holds worldwide rights and will co-financen with Participant Media and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.

The returning cast includes Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Penelope Wilton, Diana Hardcastle, Tena Desae and Lillete Dubey. The other new additions to the cast are David Strathairn and Tamsin Greig.

In the sequel Sonny, played by Patel must juggle the demands of his job and senior clientele as he prepares for his Indian wedding.