Pakistan Style ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Film Is English-Language Adaptation of ‘Unmarriageable’ Bestseller (EXCLUSIVE)
Traveling Picture Show Company (TPSC) and Rising Tides have joined forces with Pakistan’s Hum Network for the screen adaptation of Soniah Kamal’s bestselling novel “Unmarriageable.”
“Unmarriageable,” a literary adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice,” transplants Jane Austen’s themes to contemporary Pakistan. The story follows the Binat family’s five daughters as they navigate modern life and South Asian courtship.
More from Variety
The project will be one of the few Western productions to be shot entirely in Pakistan. Sadia Ashraf, who penned the script, will co-direct alongside James McMillan. Principal photography is slated to commence in early 2025 in Pakistan.
The production team includes Carissa Buffel and Luisa Iskin from TPSC, Sadia Ashraf and Shahla Khan from Rising Tides, with Hum Network’s Sultana Siddiqui and Badar Ikram serving as executive producers alongside Kamal.
“We, along with our great partners, are thrilled to bring this beloved story to the big screen and to showcase the beauty and complexity of Pakistani culture to English-language audiences around the world,” said Carissa Buffel, producer and partner at TPSC.
Kamal added: “’Unmarriageable’ deals with the intricacies of navigating relationships, identity, and happily-ever-after’s – universal experiences shared by women explored through a unique lens.”
Ashraf said: “We want to challenge stereotypes about Pakistan by showing authentic cultural diversity on screen through comedy, fashion and colors set in a rich architectural heritage rarely offered to American audiences.”
“We are excited to partner with Traveling Picture Show Company and Rising Tides on our first American film,” said Siddiqui, the founder of Hum Network. “The film will showcase the vibrant lifestyle of Pakistani women, while also furthering Hum Network’s mission of sharing empowering female stories with a brand-new audience.”
TPSC’s previous credits include “Freud’s Last Session” and “Share,” while Rising Tides Films, founded by Sadia Ashraf, focuses on female-driven narratives. Hum Network, a prominent Pakistani entertainment channel, boasts a viewership of over 200 million in South Asia.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
