Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman marks his debut as a screenwriter and producer with ’99 Songs’, a film that has been released in cinemas in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on April 16.

Kashmir-born Ehan Bhat and Latina actress Edilsy Vargas are making their acting debut with the musical romance film directed by debutant filmmaker Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy.

The film has got an interesting supporting cast in the form of seasoned actresses Manisha Koirala and Lisa Ray and musicians Ranjit Barot and Rahul Ram.

With 14 songs in the film, the story focuses on a struggling musician who is determined to overcome a challenge to be worthy of the approval of his lover’s wealthy father.

Talking about the lead actors, Ehan has received training from Los Angeles-based Bernard Hiller and has also spent more than a year at AR Rahman’s musical institute to prepare for his role and learn to play the piano.

Edilsy, on the other hand, is the first Latina to play the lead in a multilingual Indian film.

In one of the interviews with Times of India, the Oscar-winning composer  said “Out of the 600 odd auditions, Edilsy looked just like we had imagined Sophie to be in ’99 Songs.’ She truly stood out amongst the host of actors.”

Before this, she has worked as a TV host and has also developed a South American culinary show titled ‘Guia del Bbuen Ccomer’ along with her husband. She was also part of films such as ‘Peppermint’, and ‘The Manor Anf Luis’ .