Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi was a success and gained lot of appreciation from the audience and she is going to continue doing that with her new series. According to reports, Reliance Entertainment’s Phantom Films has signed a deal with filmmaker Meghna Gulzar to produce an original series based on former Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria. The series will be about the life and case files of Maria who was involved in many major anti-terror investigations including 1993 serial blasts and 26/11 terror attacks. In the latter case, he interrogated the only terrorist who was captured alive, Ajmal Kasab.
Talking about the series, Rakesh Maria said, “It is exciting to relive the journey, especially when piloted by a brilliant and sensitive director like Meghna Gulzar, and a production house of the caliber of Reliance Entertainment’s Phantom Films. More than the nostalgia, it’s also a valuable opportunity to place before the people the extraordinary work of the Mumbai Police when facing tough challenges and working against all odds.”
Director Meghna Gulzar said “Mr Rakesh Maria’s life-experiences and his prolific career in law-enforcement are a powerful lens to explore the chronology of crime and terror, in our society – as a city, as well as, as a country and a geographical region. The potential of this content is limitless, and that is supremely exciting for me. The collaboration with Reliance Entertainment’s Phantom Films and Madhu Mantena – both synonymous with cutting-edge narratives and vision – is a first I’m looking forward to greatly.”
Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, vice chairman, Reliance Entertainment, said “We are delighted to partner with one of the most distinguished law enforcement officers of our times, Rakesh Maria, to present the courageous accomplishments of his career, and the unacknowledged contributions of thousands of members of the Mumbai Police, safeguarding the security of our city 24x7x365. We are also pleased that Meghna Gulzar, one of the country’s most talented young directors, is collaborating with us to present and direct the series.”
Film analyst Taran Adarsh shared the news on his twitter
Reliance Entertainment, Phantom and Meghna Gulzar join hands… Will produce an original series on the life and case files of former Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, Rakesh Maria… The series will be based on Maria's experiences… Will be directed by Meghna. pic.twitter.com/hR7RgUpIfA
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) August 6, 2018
It is not clear yet whether the series will be aired on one of the streaming platforms, such as Netflix (for whom Phantom recently rolled out Sacred Games), or television.