Ram Kapoor, Shahana Goswami And Vivek Gomber Join The Cast Of Mira Nair’s ‘A Suitable Boy’ 

Jyothi Venkatesh

Lookout Point today announced three exciting new cast members who will be taking up key supporting roles in their epic six-part adaptation of Vikram Seth’s bestselling novel for the BBC. The series is being directed by the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, Queen of Katwe) and filming has already started at locations across India including Lucknow.‘A Suitable Boy’ tells the story of spirited university student Lata, who is coming of age in North India in 1951 at the same time as the country is carving out its own identity as an independent nation. Lata’s mother is determined to find her a husband – a suitable boy. But Lata, torn between family duty and the excitement of romance, embarks on her own, epic journey of love and self-discovery.

TV and film star Ram Kapoor (Monsoon Wedding, Words with Gods, Kasam Se, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Udaan, Student of the Year, Humshakals) takes on the critical role of Mahesh Kapoor. The father of the other lead character, the wayward Maan Kapoor, Mahesh is a veteran politician who fought for independence and is now marked by the years he spent in jail under British rule.Meenakshi Chatterji, is glamorous and disrespectful in equal measure. Played by Shahana Goswami (Rock On I and II, Ra One, Firaaq and Midnight's Children), Meenakshi married Lata’s brother Arun after falling elegantly in love with him at a cocktail party, but now looks for excitement elsewhere in Calcutta society.

Award-winning actor-producer, Vivek Gomber (Court, Sir) will play Arun, Lata’s eldest brother. As the man of the house since his father’s death, Arun has strong opinions about whom Lata should marry. Arrogant and disdainful of those without wealth and position, he is proud of his covenanted status working at the British insurance firm Bentsen & Pryce.On playing Mahesh Kapoor in the series Ram Kapoor said, "I've worked with Mira Nair on two films - Monsoon Wedding and Words with Gods, both of which have been masterpieces. Working with her has been a delight and I cannot wait to see how beautifully she paints the picture of A Suitable Boy. I play Mahesh Kapoor in the series, a veteran politician who is not only a patriot, but also a reformist at the same time. He’s a character with multiple shades and layers, and I’m looking forward to getting under his skin."

On playing Meenakshi Mehra in the series, Shahana Goswami said, “It's been a dream to work with Mira since I was a kid and there couldn't be a better project to be able to collaborate with her on. The ensemble cast and crew are an extremely talented bunch, handpicked by Mira to create her vision of that era and the wonderful characters created by Vikram Seth. I'm delighted to be playing Meenakshi Mehra, a kind of character I have never been entrusted to play and it's been extremely fun to create her with Mira.”On playing Arun Mehra in the series, Vivek Gomber said, “I am stoked to be working with Mira. I am a huge fan of her and her films and I feel incredibly lucky to have got the job. I hope I can do justice to the role of Arun Mehra, Mira’s vision and of course Vikram Seth’s book. It’s a privilege and I am very happy to be part of the team.”

These three actors join a combination of prominent names and new faces already announced for the project. The lead roles are being played by Bollywood leading man Ishaan Khatter (Beyond the Clouds, Dhadak) and Indian screen legend Tabu (The Namesake, Life of Pi, Andhadhun) alongside rising star Tanya Maniktala in the central role of Lata.Also previously announced are Rasika Dugal, Namit Das, Mahira Kakkar, Gagan Dev Riar, Mikhail Sen and Danesh Razvi.A Lookout Point production for BBC One, this will be the first screen adaptation of Vikram Seth’s international bestseller, penned by the award-winning British screenwriter Andrew Davies. The six-part series, which will be distributed by BBC Studios, was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of Content, BBC and Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama. Executive Producers are Andrew Davies, Mira Nair and Vikram Seth; Faith Penhale, Laura Lankester and Will Johnston for Lookout Point; Lydia Dean Pilcher and Aradhana Seth (who also produce); and Mona Qureshi for the BBC.

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Tags: Bollywood, Bollywood News, Bollywood Updates, Television, Telly News, Ram Kapoor, Shahana Goswami, Vivek Gomber, Mira Nair, A Suitable Boy