Los Angeles: Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel has landed lead role in Bill Bennett directed thriller Defiant, which is based on the true story of double honour killings in India. It will be Dev’s third project based on an Indian story after Slumdog and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
The 22-year-old actor stars opposite Toni Colette in the movie. He will play one of the lovers on the run, the Variety reported. Based on true events and set in India, the film tells the story of two young lovers from different backgrounds on the run from their parents who want to kill them as intercaste and inter-religion marriages are considered taboo in India.
An Emmy-winning journalist, played by Colette, is following them for a story but ends up risking her life to save the young lovers.
The film is being produced by Bennett and Australia-based Anupam Sharma. The Little Film Company, which is handling international sales of the movie,will introduce the project to foreign buyers for the first time in Cannes next month. The film will begin shooting in North India by late October. (PTI)