Alia Bhatt and her mother Soni Razdan are teaming up for an exciting new film project called “Difficult Daughters.” This adaptation of Manju Kapur’s popular novel is making waves at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Project Market in South Korea.
The story jumps between two timelines, blending family secrets and bold choices across generations. In the 1940s, it follows Virmati, the oldest of ten kids in a strict Punjabi family in Lahore. She dreams of education and true love, defying traditions, but ends up as the second wife to a married professor—with unexpected twists along the way.
Fast-forward to 2022, and Virmati’s granddaughter Simar grapples with her crumbling marriage and a hidden affair. When she uncovers her grandmother’s untold story, it pushes her to face off with her distant mother, Ila.
Soni Razdan, who’s directing the film, first fell in love with the book years ago. Speaking to Variety, she shared how it sparked vivid images in her mind right away. “The novel feels so cinematic,” she said. “It paints the characters’ inner worlds and the real settings around them in a way that’s perfect for the screen.” Razdan started picturing the scenes long before she considered turning it into a movie.
She highlighted the personal heart of the tale. “As India fought for independence, this young woman battles for her own freedoms,” Razdan explained. “But really, it’s intimate stories from two eras that drive the film.”
This isn’t Razdan’s first time at Busan—she brought her short film “Yours Truly” there in 2018. Now, she’s back as a director, focusing on nailing the 1940s vibe. “We need to rebuild that small-town Amritsar in Punjab,” she told Variety. “Casting the right actors, authentic costumes, detailed sets—all crucial. And the music? It offers a chance to get creative, linking the past and present in fresh ways.”
Alia Bhatt, one of India’s top stars and founder of Eternal Sunshine Productions, is producing the project. She calls it a perfect fit for her company’s mission to tell stories that linger with viewers. “We’re all about those tales that hit deep and stick around,” Alia said in an interview with Variety. “This one is extra meaningful since my mom is directing it. We share a real passion for the story.”
Alia sees Busan as just the start for “Difficult Daughters.” “It’s a great launchpad, and we want it to ignite talks and connections everywhere,” she added. “Stories like this aren’t tied to one spot—they speak to people worldwide.”
Fans of Indian cinema and strong women-led dramas will want to keep an eye on this mother-daughter collaboration as it moves forward.
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