Oscar-Nominated ‘Indian Matchmaking’ Creator Makes Scripted Move With ‘Naani Diaries’ Film Rights (EXCLUSIVE)

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Smriti Mundhra’s production company, Meralta Films, is stepping into the realm of scripted stories by obtaining the rights to Riva Razdan’s romantic comedy novel titled “The Naani Diaries.” The acclaimed filmmaker, who has been nominated for two Oscars and three Emmys, best known for her successful Netflix documentary series “Indian Matchmaking,” will produce this project alongside Nina Anand Aujla and Maya Gnyp under her own banner.

The novel by Harper Collins focuses on Radhika, a driven New Yorker who finds solace in her grandmother’s 1960s love story, chronicled in an old diary, after being jilted. Abandoning the bustle of Manhattan for the vibrant cityscape of Mumbai, she immerses herself in India’s arranged marriage culture, questioning if a career-oriented woman can adapt to become a conventional bride.

For Razdan, it represents another transition of a book to the screen in her expanding collection of projects. The author’s work “Arzu” is being transformed into a television show, with Lily Singh and BlinkMedia handling production, and Charithra Chandran, who gained prominence in “Bridgerton,” slated to play the lead role. Additionally, she’s working on a romantic comedy film and a series focused on women for Netflix, under the guidance of Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.

Nina Anand Aujla, head of film and TV at Meralta, praised the author’s talent by stating that their skill is evident in this touching, multi-generational tale. She went on to say that the story perfectly captures all the charm we adore about the romantic comedy genre.

The agreement occurs as Meralta experiences a surge following an Oscar nomination for their short documentary “I Am Ready, Warden” and the release of “Muslim Matchmaker” on Hulu from February 11. This L.A.-Mumbai based production company, known for successes such as “Indian Matchmaking” and the Emmy-nominated “Shelter” (HBO Max), has various projects in development at prominent streaming platforms like Apple TV+, HBO Max, Netflix, and MTV.

The adaptation of “The Naani Diaries” is one example among many feature films acquired by Meralta, as the company continues to grow and venture into scripted content while still preserving its focus on documentaries. According to Razdan, Smriti perfectly captures the duality of contemporary women – their deep desire for love and family alongside their ambitious minds that yearn for purpose and success more than anyone else, which was a key factor in their partnership.

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2025-02-11 18:46