Meghna Pant’s novel Boys Don’t Cry to be adapted by Pocket Aces into a feature film

Pocket Aces’ long-form studio, Dice Media, is now venturing into the feature-film space with the rights for Meghna Pant’s Boys Don’t Cry.

The novel, published by Penguin Random House in January, features the story of Maneka Pataudi, who is arrested in the murder of her ex-husband. Over time, she reveals her past of marital abuse and neglect.

The book’s synopsis states that it is ‘mostly’ based on a true story and 'is a gripping, compelling and courageous novel that takes you behind the closed doors of a modern Indian marriage'.

Award-winning author Pant said she was delighted to partner with Pocket Aces’ Dice Media for the film adaptation. She will be adapting the novel for the big screen herself.

“Not only do our sensibilities match, but they have also been immensely passionate, enthusiastic and supportive,” Pant said. “We kickstarted our writer’s room on Women’s Day, an auspicious beginning. Boys Don’t Cry is more than a book... it is the story of 15 years of my life that took me eight years to gather the courage to write.”

She went on, “It’s a rule book that guides girls on matters of the heart and head. It’s a peek into the closed doors of a modern Indian marriage. It’s a dialogue on mental health that every family should have. I look forward to co-creating a film that will take the conversation forward while being entertaining, enthralling and gripping. You will not be the same person after watching it.”

Commenting on the partnership, Aditi Shrivastava, co-founder, CEO and producer at Pocket Aces, recalled, “When I first came across the book, it was instantly clear to me that this was a story that Dice needed to tell given our depth in the relationship drama space. This [true] story is unique compared to the other movies made on domestic abuse because here, abuse is not black and white — there are several emotional and mental nuances that are screaming to be explored.

“Nobody is getting beaten up and the girl is not an abla nari — she is a modern, working, financially independent woman in a marriage that looks as normal and modern as any other,” she continued. “This is not 'someone else’s' story any more. I’m sure every single person who has been in a relationship will relate to it at some level. We have an A-class creative team working on creating a fast-paced, engaging film, and we can’t wait to get it to your nearest screens soon.”

Last month, Dice Media also announced its partnership with South Korea’s JTBC Studios for the Indian adaptation of the latter's popular drama, Something In The Rain.