Stephen Frears to Direct Adaptation of William Dalrymple's 'The Anarchy'
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Synopsis
British director Stephen Frears will adapt William Dalrymple's acclaimed book 'The Anarchy' into a series. This international co-production between the US and India explores the East India Company's impact on India in the 18th century, highlighting themes of corporate power and historical consequences.
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Frears to direct 'The Anarchy'
- Based on William Dalrymple's critically acclaimed book
- Focuses on the East India Company's rise in 18th century India
- International co-production between US and India
- Produced by wiip and Roy Kapur Films
Mumbai, April 23 (NationPress) British filmmaker Stephen Frears is set to direct the screen adaptation of William Dalrymple’s highly praised book ‘The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company’. This adaptation will be produced as long-format content and is being developed as an international co-production between the US and India.
Set against the backdrop of the 18th century, ‘The Anarchy’ provides a compelling insight into the commercial ambitions of the British East India Company in India, which eventually led to the domination of an entire subcontinent. It serves as a poignant reflection of today's world, where major corporations wield the influence to determine the fates of entire nations.
In discussing the project, Stephen Frears remarked, “This is the most contemporary of themes: A ruthless businessman and his corporation seizing power, a group of oligarchs taking over a chunk of the world, asset-stripping, looting, manipulating the stock market, destroying whole economies for their profit. The East India Company is stealing India in the 18th Century.”
The series is being produced collaboratively by the US-based studio wiip and the prominent Indian production company Roy Kapur Films.
The rights to William Dalrymple’s bestselling book were among the most coveted book-to-TV rights in India, with Roy Kapur Films ultimately securing them. The screenplay adaptation is the work of Walon Green, Amit Bhalla, and Lucas Jansen, the writers known for Hello Tomorrow! (Apple TV+), with filming planned across the UK and Asia.
Siddharth Roy Kapur stated, “Stephen’s range as a filmmaker is simply unmatched. He has directed some of the most beloved films of the last four decades, including some of my personal favorites, and having him on board to lead this project is a dream come true.”
He added, “Working with our production partners at wiip has been a tremendously enriching experience. This story requires scale, depth, and ambition, and I am proud that we have assembled an exceptional team to bring it to life for a global audience.”
The forthcoming series adaptation represents a significant initiative in bringing Indian history to the global entertainment stage, featuring a narrative that is both timely and timeless.
