‘Haider’ director Vishal Bhardwaj is set to develop an Indian franchise of renowned British mystery writer Agatha Christie’s work for the Indian audience, reported PTI.

Christie’s crime stories are centered on two fictional detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, but Bhardwaj will be making a few changes and will be introducing a new pair of lead investigators taking inspiration from one of the Queen of Crime’s famous stories.

According to the statement released by the makers, the script is currently in process, and details of which Christie novel is being adapted for the first film is still a surprise.

The filmmaker-composer is best known for his acclaimed Shakespeare trilogy ‘Maqbool’, (Macbeth), ‘Omkara’ (Othello) and ‘Haider’ (Hamlet). He is producing the franchise under his banner Vishal Bhardwaj Films in collaboration with Agatha Christie Limited (ACL), headed by Christie’s great-grandson James Prichard.

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Bhardwaj said he is excited to embark on this journey and explore the turbulent and emotional chaos of Christie’s characters.

“Agatha Christie had a tremendous skill of defining emotional chaos, dysfunctional relationships and the intensity in her characters while engaging us in a riveting mystery,” he said.

The director claimed he is honoured to create an Indian franchise of a pair of young investigators looking to take over the world with their intelligence and charm. 

The first film, scheduled to go on floors early 2021, will introduce a young heroine who is involved in solving a murder, and teams up with an unlikely companion to unravel the case. The cast is currently being settled down. And the future films will follow the duo as they continue to investigate multiple murder mysteries.

Prichard said he is looking forward to Bhardwaj’s take on his grandmother’s writings. Basi Akpabio and Leo Dezoysa will serve as executive producers for ACL on the new films.