Those who love seeing Juhi Chawla on the big screen are already looking forward to Gulaab Gang next year, but now, fans of the actress have something else to be excited for! Juhi recently signed on a Hollywood film titled The Hundred-Foot Journey, which is being directed by Lasse Hallstrom and produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Juliet Blake (so, you know, it’s a fairly big deal). In fact, the team has already begun shooting for the film right here in Mumbai. The Hundred-Foot Journey – which also stars Om Puri as Juhi’s husband – tells the story of an Indian family attempting to make a life for themselves in France. The couple owns an Indian restaurant right opposite a French one, owned by a character called Madame Mallory (played by Helen Mirren).
Psst! Did you know? The Hundred-Foot Journey is actually based on a novel by the same name, written by Richard C. Morais. I’ve not read the book, but the synopsis sounds promising – it tells the tale of Hassan Haji, a “skinny Indian teenager” who is a born chef. An excerpt from the book’s summary:
The boisterous Haji family takes Lumiere by storm. They open an inexpensive Indian restaurant opposite the famous chef Madame Mallory, and infuse the sleepy town with the spices of India, transforming the lives of its eccentric villagers and infuriating their celebrated neighbor. Only after Madame Mallory wages culinary war with the immigrant family, does she finally agree to mentor young Hassan, leading him to Paris, the launch of his own restaurant, and a slew of new adventures.
Have any of you read the book? What do you think – will it make a good film? It’s all set for release on August 8th, 2014, and we’re definitely looking forward to it! Are you?