Producer Sandeep Singh turns director with social drama Safed

Sandeep Singh, who has made his mark as a producer with Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Mary Kom (2014) and Aligarh (2016), has turned director with a social drama, Safed. The film will star Family Man (Season 2) actor Abhay Verma and Meera Chopra.

The first look poster was unveiled at the 75th Cannes Film Festival by music composer AR Rahman. The film's producers Vinod Bhanushali and Ajay Harinath Singh and co-producers Vishal Gurnani and Juhi Parekh Mehta were also present at the unveiling.

Although not much is known about the film's plot and subject, the poster hints that the film will explore the sensitive topic of the rights of transgenders. The film also stars Barkha Bisht, Chhaya Kadam and Jameel Khan. 

Interestingly, last year Singh announced a film titled White in association with Raaj Shaandilyaa. The social drama was to be directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. Although the makers haven't made an announcement, it appears that Safed is the same film.

It seems that Manjrekar walked out of the project and Singh has stepped in as a director. Singh shared another poster of the film on Instagram, which is also quite similar to that of White. Both posters show a woman draped in a white saree stepping into the sea.

Speaking about his directorial debut, Singh said, “I am honoured to begin my directorial career with a film like Safed, a story that remains largely untold, a narrative that is underlined with stereotypical attitudes, and the truth that has to be told. It is humbling and encouraging that I begin with a story that comes from a world that most of us know so little about; a story that pains my heart in a way that gives me happiness."

Vinod Bhanushali, who founded Bhanushali Studios Ltd in 2021, after stepping down as the president of global marketing and media publishing of T-Series, India’s largest music company, is also excited to back real and unique stories such as Safed.

“Safed is a special film in many ways. I am proud to be associated with it and also glad that I am able to back Sandeep’s vision,” he said.