Deepika Padukone is set to produce and star in a romantic comedy for STXfilms and Temple Hill, under her Ka Productions banner.
Temple Hill Productions’ Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen (Twilight franchise, The Fault in Our Stars, Love, Simon) are in talks to develop the project.
The film will be a sweeping cross-cultural story centred on Padukone, and Isaac Klausner is overseeing the project for Temple Hill, Deadline confirms.
“There is a reason Deepika is one of the biggest global stars to come from India. She is enormously talented with an infectious personality and her profile continues to grow as an international superstar,” said Adam Fogelson, chairman, STXfilms Motion Picture Group.
“While she has been a phenomenal success in many Eros International films, we are thrilled to be building a romantic comedy with her and our friends at Temple Hill. We believe this project gives us the opportunity to tap into the spirit, voice, characters and vibrant settings of India and New York in ways that made Crazy Rich Asians feel so authentic and fresh,” he added.
Padukone added: “Ka Productions was founded with the aim to develop and produce purposeful content with global appeal. I’m thrilled to be partnering with STXfilms and Temple Hill Productions, who share Ka’s ambition and creative vision and look forward to bringing impactful and dynamic cross-cultural stories to the world.”
The actor-producer was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time magazine in 2018, made her Hollywood debut as the female lead in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage, alongside Vin Diesel.
The icon’s major Bollywood credits include her debut with Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Padmavat, and the award-winning, critically acclaimed Piku and Baijaro Mastani — the highest- and third-highest-grossing international Hindi-language film releases, respectively.
Last year, she received the prestigious World Economic Forum Crystal Award for her leadership in raising mental health awareness.
Padukone will next be seen in the Hindi remake of The Intern, with co-star Amitabh Bachchan, which is scheduled for theatrical release in Summer 2022.
