After the blockbuster success of Andhadhun (2018), named the Best Hindi Film at the National awards earlier in August, Matchbox Pictures has acquired the rights of journalist Jigna Vora’s prison memoir, Behind Bars in Byculla.
The recently released book recounts Vora’s ordeal after she was imprisoned for alleged role in the murder of fellow journalist Jyotirmoy Dey in 2011. She was acquitted last year and this August, the Bombay high court upheld the lower court’s verdict. Underworld don Chhota Rajan and eight of his associates were sentenced to life in May 2018 for their roles in Dey’s assassination.
In her book, Vora shared her harrowing experiences with other female prisoners, the court hearings over seven years, and her stories as a crime reporter breaking front-page stories.
Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan, who also launched Jigna’s book, said in a press release, “I was curious about Behind Bars In Byculla because it’s a crime reporter’s point-of-view about life in prison. Parts of it reminded me of Ek Hasina Thi (2004).”
“The book talks about Jigna's career as a journalist, how she got mired in the case, her time in jail and her eventual acquittal. Alongside, it’s peppered with her interactions with the famous and infamous inmates there, it’s a fascinating story and a gripping read. There’s a lot to read between the lines too,” he continued.
Matchbox Pictures’ Sanjay Routray said of the company’s acquisition, “It is our privilege to have someone like Sriram Raghavan help us identify good content. We feel these incredible true-life stories in Behind Bars in Byculla need to be told on a wider medium. Matchbox will be collaborating with Jaspinder Singh Kang on this project.”
Vora also gave her blessings for the project. “This is my journey to hell and back. I couldn’t have trusted anyone more than Matchbox to stay true to my story,” she said.
S Hussain Zaidi, bestselling crime author and Vora’s mentor, added, “We aim to present unique and path-breaking stories on the screen as never before, and to that effect, our partnership with Matchbox is synergistic.”