LONDON — “Big Bang Theory” star Kunal Nayyar has joined the cast of “A Bollywoof Tale,” which has been boarded by U.K. distributor Icon Film Distribution.
The pic is to be directed by “Racing Stripes” and “Underdog” director Frederik Du Chau. Independent is handling international sales and will be selling at AFM.
The film is produced by Jason Newmark (“Triangle,” “Severance,” “Creep”), who developed the project with the BFI, and the script has been written by Stephen Leslie. Nisha Parti (“Honour”) is also attached to produce.
“A Bollywoof Tale” tells the story of Basil, a much-loved pet Spaniel, with a comfortable family life in London, who is set to move with his human family to Delhi. However when his crate is misplaced at Heathrow, Basil arrives alone on the other side of India in Kolkata.
With the help of a cunning street dog, Santoosh, and a holy cow, Uma, Basil sets off on a whirlwind adventure across India in the hope of re-uniting with his family. Nayyar, who plays Raj Koothrappali in “Big Bang Theory,” is attached to play Santoosh.
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The film will be shot as live action in London and India in the first quarter of 2015.
The deal was negotiated by Abigail Walsh for Independent and Ben Friedman for Icon Film Distribution.
At the AFM, Independent will also screen U.K. indie hit “What We Did on Our Holiday,” which has now grossed more than $6 million at U.K. box office, and Gerard Johnson’s “Hyena,” which opened Edinburgh, screened in Toronto’s Vanguard section and won a best film award in Sitges.
In September 2013, IFD was re-launched backed by investment company New Sparta founded by Dr. Jerome Booth, and led by CEO Ian Dawson and Norman Humphrey, executive chairman and chief operating officer.
The company’s slate now includes titles previously released though IFD’s output deal with Lionsgate and the U.K. library, as well as a new slate including Tom Tykwer’s “A Hologram for a King,” starring Tom Hanks, J.C. Chandor’s “A Most Violent Year,” Lynn Shelton’s “Say When,” Drake Doremus’ “Equals,” Robert Carlyle’s “The Legend of Barney Thomson,” David Robert Mitchell’s “It Follows,” Don Cheadle’s “Miles Ahead,” Richard LaGravenese’s “The Last Five Years,” and Mike Brett and Steve Jamison’s “Next Goal Wins.”
IFD has released the first three features from its new slate, Adam Wingard’s “The Guest,” starring Dan Stevens, Jim Mickle’s “Cold in July,” and Jennifer Kent’s “The Babadook.”
