Ishaan Khatter joins Tabu in Mira Nair's 'A Suitable Boy'

After Tabu, actor Ishaan Khatter has boarded Mira Nair's adaptation of Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy, a sweeping tale of four families set in the post-Partition era. Tabu, who worked with Nair on their critically-acclaimed film The Namesake, also an adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri's novel, will play courtesan Saaeda Bai in the six-part series by BBC.

Khatter will star as Maan Kapoor, the headstrong son of a politician who is besotted by Saeeda Bai.             

Ishaan, who made his acting debut with internationally renowned Israeli filmmaker Majid Majidi's "Beyond the Clouds", said it's an honour for him to work with Nair.

"It's not only my pleasure but an honour to be working on this illustrious material alongside such distinguished artistes and technicians led by the indomitable Mira Nair. I hope I can satisfy her vision and give the global audience the character they deserve in Maan Kapoor," he said.

Tabu said it was great to work with Nair on another "creatively charged" experience.       

"I'm very happy to be working on 'A Suitable Boy', and especially with Mira. Having worked with her on the 'Namesake' I look forward to one more creatively charged experience," Tabu said in a statement.

Produced by Lookout Point for the BBC, the drama is penned by British screenwriter Andrew Davies.

The 1993 book revolves around spirited university student Lata and her three suitors - Kabir, Haresh and Amit.

Described as a panoramic tale charting the fortunes of four large families, the story  is set in the North India of 1951, the same time the country was carving out its own identity as an independent nation and was about to go to the polls for its first democratic general election.

Newcomer Tanya Maniktala will play the lead role of Lata.

Nair said she decided to work on the project because she believes "A Suitable Boy" has become "timelier" than ever.  

"Vikram tells the story of a free India and our people with wit, clarity and love - I am deeply honoured to be the one bringing this intimate, epic tale of an unseen India to the world. Today, A Suitable Boy is timelier than ever.

"With a mix of legendary and cutting-edge actors from the subcontinent, shooting entirely on location in palaces, villages and streets across northern India, we will keep the history and dream of an alternate India alive," she said.

The show is scheduled to premiere in June 2020.