Indian filmmaker to direct 'Heidi' adaptation

Director Bhavna Talwar, who made her debut with the National Award winner 'Dharm' (2007) starring Pankaj Kapur and Supriya Pathak Kapur, is directing the feature adaptation of the popular children's classic 'Heidi', titled 'Heidi Queen Of The Mountains'. 'Simon (Wright, producer) approached me about it and I jumped at the opportunity. I have obviously read the series as a child but this one will be a contemporary interpretation of the story,' says Bhavna, who plans to retain her style of storytelling in retelling the adventures of the six-year-old girl cared for by her grandfather in the Swiss Alps.
Bhavna Talwar to direct adaptation of kid's classic 'Heidi'
The film has completed its first schedule in the UK and stars Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning actor Bill Nighy ('Love Actually', 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', 'Pirates Of The Caribbean'), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasly in the 'Harry Potter' series), Emilia Fox ('The Pianist', 'Cashback') and Helen Baxendale ('Friends', 'The Investigator').
Gearing up to work on the second schedule of the film, to be shot in India, Talwar is also scouting for shooting locations in Spain and Austria. Like the original series penned by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, this one is slated to be a trilogy. 'The intent is to work on a series of three but let's see how the first one shapes up as it will set the benchmark. I'm very excited about it,' adds Talwar, who plans to deliver the film by the end of the year.