After directing Kareena Kapoor Khan in last year's mystery thriller, ‘The Buckingham Murders,’ Hansal Mehta is set to team up with her husband and actor Saif Ali Khan. PeepingMoon.com has exclusively learned that the two are collaborating on the screen adaptation of Nilanjana S. Roy’s 2022 critically acclaimed novel, ‘Black River.’

Saif has acquired the adaptation rights to this riveting murder mystery and will not only star in the film but also co-produce it in with Hansal’s newly launched production company, True Story Films. Although the project is currently in the early developmental stage, Hansal and his team are actively working on the script, with plans to commence production by mid-2026 — once both Saif and Hansal have completed their existing commitments.

‘Black River’ has been widely praised for its vivid and lyrical writing. The story centers around the cold-blooded murder of an eight-year-old girl in a small village on the outskirts of Delhi and the subsequent investigation. “In a predominantly Hindu village, the brutal murder casts immediate suspicion on an itinerant Muslim man. The blame spreads like wildfire, fueled by simmering religious tensions. At the heart of this intricate tale is Sub Inspector Ombir Singh, who must uncover the elusive truth and prevent the lynching of the prime suspect,” the synopsis of the book reads.

Saif will play Ombir Singh, the determined officer assigned to investigate this murder mystery. Beyond its fast-paced police procedural elements, ‘Black River’ serves as a poignant commentary on modern India, touching on issues such as the brutal class divide, the terror of religious strife, and pervasive violence against women. Saif and Hansal are meticulously adapting the script to preserve the novel’s core essence while ensuring it resonates with theatrical audiences.

Both have multiple individual projects to finish before they fully dedicate themselves to ‘Black River’. Saif is currently shooting for Rahul Dholakia's Netflix film, which explores India's first general election. He is also gearing up for his next release, ‘Jewel Thief,’ premiering on Netflix this April 25. Furthermore, he is committed to Ramesh Taurani’s ‘Race 4,’ which will go on floors by the end of 2025.

Hansal, meanwhile, will soon begin shooting for Netflix’s high-stakes business drama series starring Anil Kapoor and Vijay Varma. Best known for his cinematic brilliance in films such as ‘Shahid,’ ‘City Lights,’ ‘Aligarh,’ and ‘Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story,’ Hansal’s next directorial is a multi-season biographical series on Mahatma Gandhi. While the first season is already wrapped up and is eyeing a premiere later this year, the second season is expected to go on floors soon. Additionally, Hansal is overseeing the third season of Sony LIV’s ‘Scam’ series as a showrunner.