Vinay Pathak, Sayani Gupta cast together in comedy film that explores racism in Delhi

Artistes Vinay Pathak and Sayani Gupta will act together for the first time in Yoodlee Films’ Axone, a bittersweet comedy that explores racism in the capital city. The film is currently under production in Delhi.

This is the second film for Nicholas Kharkongor who earlier directed Mantra (2017). His debut film  was set in the early 2000s which focused on a family dealing with the fluctuating social, political or economic situations in India at the time.

This time around, Kharkongor has roped in Pathak and Gupta for Axone. The unusual title refers to “the long threadlike extension of a nerve cell that conducts nerve impulses from the cell body” according to a dictionary definition. The film is said to explore the inherent racism that inhabitants of the cities have against anyone else who is different from them.

We treat filmmakers as partners, not vendors: Siddharth Anand Kumar of Yoodlee Films

Kharkongor said he chose his lead artistes as he wanted an opportunity to work with them. “Both Vinay and Sayani make distinct impressions when you see their work. I’ve been wanting to work with them, and when I thought of this movie, I could see them in their roles. It feels like the film was made to have them both together,” he said in a statement.

Pathak was recently seen in the ensemble film, Khajoor Pe Atke (2018), while Gupta last appeared on the big screen for the hit sequel Fukrey Returns (2017).

Siddharth Anand Kumar, vice-president of Yoodlee Films, feels the Axone is “hard-hitting” and hopes audiences will enjoy. The banner has earlier had films like Ajji (2017), Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz (2018), and Abhiyum Anuvum (2018). Their upcoming films include Ascharya F**k It, Noblemen and Hamid.