Saif Ali Khan officially confirms adapting Nilanjana Roy's Black River book with Hansal Mehta: 'Ode to India that might not exist'

Black River is the highly renowned novel by Nilanjana Roy, and Saif Ali Khan has now formally announced his intention to make a film based on the book. The actor recently spoke with Esquire India about his acquisition of the rights to adapt the 2022 murder mystery, calling it a "heartfelt undertaking" that speaks to his literary sensibilities.

Deep connection to source material

Khan, who is known for his penchant for diverse and complex narratives, had a profound affinity for Roy's writing. He spoke about how much he loved the book because of the way it combined realistic depictions of everyday life with profound emotional exploration. "The first one is actually called Black River, and it's by an author named Nilanjana Roy. And it's a police procedural murder mystery, but it's also really emotional and moving, about the murder of a very young little girl," remarked Khan.

The story captivated the actor to the point where he took action to acquire the rights for a film adaptation. The actor said, "I love the story so much that I bought the rights to the book, and we’re trying to make a movie out of it." The project is still in its early stages of production, but Khan has acknowledged that staying true to the original text while composing it demands a careful approach. "It’s taking a while to write, but it’s a really moving piece. It’s lyrical and dramatic, obviously. And there’s a murder mystery, like I said, but it’s also really poetic and beautiful," he emphasised.

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Collaborating with Hansal Mehta

Hansal Mehta is set to helm the adaptation, and Khan will be co-producing with him. The story revolves around the horrific murder of Munia, an eight-year-old girl, and is set in the fictional town of Teetarpur on the outskirts of Delhi. The plot follows Sub-Inspector Ombir Singh, played reportedly by Khan, as he attempts to find justice in the face of religious strife, socioeconomic divisions, and other obstacles.

Reflecting on the book’s atmospheric quality, Khan noted, "It says it's an ode to an India that might not exist anymore, that has passed. And it's quite an emotional piece as well." The book's sociological commentary on "Delhi noir" style, which tackles topics like political manipulation and vigilante justice, has earned it a lot of attention.

Production timeline

Production on Black River is expected to begin in the middle of 2026, when Khan and Mehta finish their current professional work. Among Khan's many prominent projects at the moment is Haiwaan, co-starring Akshay Kumar and directed by Priyadarshan. As a result of this foray into book-to-film adaptation, Khan has cemented his position as one of the most well-read and picky producers in Bollywood.

Black River FAQs:

Q: What is Saif Ali Khan’s next movie based on a book?

A: Saif Ali Khan has officially confirmed that he is adapting Nilanjana Roy’s 2022 novel Black River into a feature film. The actor has acquired the film rights.

Q: Who is directing the movie adaptation of Black River?

A: The film will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta. This project marks a major collaboration between Mehta and Saif Ali Khan,

Q: Which character will Saif Ali Khan play in Black River?

A: Saif Ali Khan is reportedly set to portray Sub-Inspector Ombir Singh.