After mommy duties, mystery on my mind for Kareena Kapoor Khan

Kareena Kapoor Khan

Fate works in mysterious ways. In 2015, Sujoy Ghosh had announced the screen adaptation of Keigo Higashino's most acclaimed work, The Devotion of Suspect X, with Saif Ali Khan. While the project did not materialise, the director wasn't quite ready to let go of a story that is counted among the best mysteries in recent times.

Seven years down the line, he is ready to helm the adaptation, and in a strange twist of fate, it will be headlined by Khan's actor-wife Kareena Kapoor Khan. The film - also starring Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma - will go on floors in March. It will mark Kapoor's first project since the birth of her younger son Jehangir.

Sujoy Ghosh

Higashino's novel revolves around a single mother who accidentally kills her ex-husband. What follows is a catch-me-if-you-can game as her mathematician neighbour helps her cover up the crime, constantly staying one step ahead of the investigating officer. Kapoor, who plays the central role, has begun prepping for the yet-untitled project. A source reveals, "Kareena met Sujoy several times to discuss the prep and her look in the film. The cast will soon begin workshops. If things go as planned, the team will head to a hill station in West Bengal next month, where the film will be shot in a start-to-finish schedule."

Ghosh has displayed his expertise in the mystery genre with Kahaani (2012) and Badla (2019). For his latest endeavour that is produced by Jay Shewakramani, Akshai Puri, Thomas Kim and him, the filmmaker has tweaked the narrative to make way for an intense love story. "The neighbour's role is played by Jaideep. Sujoy has woven in a complex love story between the leads that adds a new dimension to the thriller," adds the source.

Malayalam thriller Drishyam (2013), which spawned a Hindi remake, had a largely similar plot as the novel, but director Jeethu Joseph insisted it was an original story.
mid-day reached out to Ghosh, who remained unavailable for comment.