| Bhopal: Prayer for Rain | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ravi Kumar |
| Produced by | Ravi Walia |
| Written by | David Brooks Ravi Kumar |
| Starring | Martin Sheen Mischa Barton Kal Penn Tannishtha Chatterjee Rajpal Yadav Fagun Thakra Vineet Kumar Lisa Dwan |
| Cinematography | Charlie Wuppermann Jean-Marc Selva |
| Editing by | Chris Gill |
| Release date(s) | 2012 |
| Country | India United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Bhopal: Prayer for Rain is an upcoming historical-drama film set amidst the real-life Bhopal disaster that had occurred in India on December 2-3, 1984. Martin Sheen, Mischa Barton, Kal Penn, Fagun Thakrar, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Rajpal Yadav have been cast in the lead roles. The director, Ravi Kumar described it as "a dramatisation, inspired by real events".[1] It was slated for a late 2010 release.[1] In a December 2011 interview, Kumar anticipated a 2012 release "We have been invited to some major film festivals where it will be premiered. The release dates will be decided by the distributor all over the world according to their plans."[2]
Contents |
The film follows multiple characters' lives and dilemmas in the months leading to the 1984 Union Carbide industrial disaster in Bhopal, Ginder India, also known as Bhopal gas tragedy. This was the biggest industrial disaster in human history that killed around 2,500 people in roughly two weeks starting the night of 3 December 1984. At least 25,000 people are estimated to have died in the years after the disaster.[1] A government affidavit in 2006 stated the leak caused 558,125 injuries including 38,478 temporary partial and ~3900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.[3]
Sienna Miller was previously attached to the project, but has since dropped out and according to reports, her role has been given to Mischa Barton.[4] In December it was confirmed that Barton, Sheen and Kal Penn are currently filming in India for the project.[5] On 7 January 2009, Barton was questioned by the Indian media on why she chose to sign on the project; "I'm interested in all kinds of things, I did this film for moral reasons. Also, I felt the story needed to be told, I feel that this is going to be an important film."[6] It has been confirmed that Barton is playing the role of a foreign journalist in the film. Filming locations have included the city of Hyderabad, the Charminar area and Golconda Fort.[7]
As of December 2011, the film is with senior editors. Music composers in London and Los Angeles are also developing the score.[2]