The rights to Alka Joshi’s bestselling debut novel The Henna Artist were optioned for series development by Miramax TV. The novel, which was published in March 0f 2020 by HarperCollins, will feature Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) as the main character Lakshmi in the adaptation, according to Deadline.
The novel centers around Lakshmi who is 17 years old and a recent escapee of an abusive marriage. Seeking to start fresh, she heads to Jaipur, India and becomes the most request henna artist. In her time, she becomes the confidante of her clients, all the while never revealing her own troubled past and secrets. In the deal, the book was repped by The Gotham Group.
Pinto will also serve as a producer to the project through her Freebird Films alongside executive producer Michael Edelstein (Him and Us). The pair first met several years ago in an ashram, a community for religious retreats, in Dehradun. Part of the novel occurs near the location of Edelstein and Pinto’s chance encounter, representing the duo’s bond. Although the series currently has no writer, Pinto has pitched for new voices from India to pen the project.
Marc Helwig (Lost in Space), head of worldwide television at Miramax said, “Alka has crafted a beautiful story of independence, family, heartbreak and success, led by a captivating heroine with an indomitable spirit, and we are very excited to collaborate with Alka, Michael and Freida to bring this extraordinary journey to the screen,” via Deadline.
There has not been an announcement about film dates or additional cast.