Ellipse Entertainment
India’s Ellipsis Entertainment, after the acclaim of “Do Aur Do Pyaar” and “Sharmajee Ki Beti,” is set to produce a film based on a notorious fraud. The untitled project will delve into the controversial 1971 Nagarwala case that rocked a State Bank of India branch in Delhi.
The Nagarwala case centers on alleged double agent Rustom Sohrab Nagarwala, who allegedly posed as then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to convince the chief cashier to withdraw INR6 million (then $800,000) from the bank. However, the exact details of the incident remain in dispute.
The investigation was led by Hari Dev Kaushal, then Station House Officer of Chanakyapuri locality in Delhi, known for his effective and compassionate approach to law enforcement. Kaushal, who passed away at the age of 91, left a lasting impression on the police force.
Kaushal is the father of Bollywood actors Rahul Dev and Mukul Dev. Mukul Dev, who wrote Hansal Mehta’s 2017 Toronto title “Omerta,” joins the writing team alongside Suprotim Sengupta (Netflix’s “Murder Mubarak”) and Kunal Aneja (Netflix’s “Maamla Legal Hai”). The group conducted extensive research using both primary and secondary sources.
Ellipsis is currently casting the role of Hari Dev Kaushal, finalizing the director and assembling a cast to play the key figures involved in the case.
Founded in 2016 by veteran Indian film executive Tanuj Garg and photographer, talent agent and producer Atul Kasbekar, Ellipsis’ credits also include “Tumhari Sulu” (2017) and “Looop Lapeta” (2022).
Garg said of the bank heist film: “As an avid spy enthusiast, I was drawn to this case, which remains enigmatic. Several individuals connected to the investigation, including the prime suspect, died months after the incident. We are looking forward to finalizing our cast and starting production.”
Kasbekar added, “My initial photography work in 1990 involved Rahul and Mukul Dev, who are also personal friends. I had the opportunity to interact extensively with their father, Hari Dev Ji. It is fitting that he is the central figure in this compelling narrative.”
