Manoj Bajpayee will lead Kanu Behl's next investigative thriller on crime journalism, Despatch. Produced by RSVP Movies, the project will be released online.
The makers made an announcement about the project and the nature of release on the microblogging site Twitter.
Enter the world of crime journalism with #Despatch. This edge of the seat thriller will be a direct to digital release!#FridaysWithRSVP@RonnieScrewvala @KanuBehl @BajpayeeManoj @ShahanaGoswami @rii_sen #ArrchitaAgarwal @pashanjal @HasanainHooda @thebombaybong #SiddharthDiwan pic.twitter.com/6vZQiyEc3F
— RSVP Movies (@RSVPMovies) January 29, 2021
A statement from the makers said, 'The film unfolds in the world of crime journalism and Bajpayee plays a character who finds himself sucked into the murky underbelly of business and crime.'
The film marks Behl's first feature since the critically acclaimed and award-winning Titli (2015). The director also made the short Binnu Ka Sapna (2018).
Despatch will also be the first collaboration between Bajpayee and Kanu Behl.
Producer Ronnie Screwvala said, “The scope for storytelling is incredible right now with new platforms and evolved audience tastes. At RSVP we are focused on developing our own scripts and screenplays and working with directors that share the common vision of storytelling. With its unique perspective and gripping storyline, Despatch is the kind of content we believe in.”
In addition to Bajpayee, the film will star Shahana Goswami. Director Behl said, "Despatch is a story I've been itching to tell for a while now. It reflects our lives and times and could not be getting made at a more pertinent moment. Collaborating with Manoj Bajpayee and Ronnie Screwvala on a piece that looks to push cinematic boundaries is exciting and I look forward to embarking on this journey.”
While this will be Behl's first film to be released online, Bajpayee has already had quite a few films going that route, including the award-winning Bhonsle (2020).
Speaking of Despatch, the popular veteran said, "As an actor, I want to be part of stories that I want to tell and that deserve to be told. Despatch is one such film. With the digital age, our stories can now reach and be accessed by viewers across the globe and I’m confident this film will have many takers because it is relevant to our times. I am looking forward to collaborating with Kanu Behl who is well versed with the changing times and has total control on his craft of storytelling.”
Bajpayee is currently awaiting the release of the second season of his Amazon Prime web-series The Family Man. It is slated for release on 12 February.