More movie remake news... Earlier this year, Fox Searchlight picked up the worldwide remake rights to The Bengali Detective, a documentary that follows an overweight dance-obsessed private investigator through the criminal underbelly of Kolkata. I just read that Stephen Frears has signed on to direct the adaptation: Frears to helm 'Bengali Detective'
Brit helmer Stephen Frears and scribe D.V. DeVincentis, who previously teamed on "High Fidelity" and "Lay the Favorite," are set to work together once again, as the duo are set to respectively direct and write Fox Searchlight's English-language feature adaptation of documentary "The Bengali Detective."At this point, I am going to assume they'll eventually cast a South Asian actor to play Rajesh Ji. You know -- "The Bengali Detective"? Finding some crazy way to change the character to a white guy -- let's face it, there is a precedent -- would be indescribably stupid.
Philip Cox directed the original. Native Voice Films' docu followed intrepid private eye Rajesh Ji as he explores Calcutta's criminal underworld while pursuing his dream to dance on Indian TV. Film took a look at modern India through the eyes of an unlikely hero.
Ridley and Tony Scott's Scott Free banner will produce. Fox Searchlight execs Zola Mashariki and Richard Gold will oversee development for the studio.
Feels like Fox Searchlight might be trying to replicate the monster success of Slumdog Millionaire. The studio also has The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring Dev Patel, coming out next year. Frankly, I don't mind a remake of The Bengali Detective, but I wish they'd just give the original film a proper release.