Vikram Seth’s bestselling novel, A Suitable Boy is about to get adapted in a BBC-Netflix series which will be directed by Mira Nair. The acclaimed director was in Mumbai last week to scout for actors who would be playing the characters in the screen adaptation of the popular novel. According to grapevine, the director met Radhika Apte, Richa Chadha, Shefali Shah as well as Tabu. Tabu has worked previously with the director on the film The Namesake which was adapted from Jumpa Lahiri’s bestselling novel and also featured Irrfan Khan, Kal Penn and Sahira Nair in lead roles.

According to a source, “Mira met Radhika, Richa and some actresses from regional cinema. They were casual meetings, and not auditions per se.  Mira is quite instinctive and can gauge easily if a certain actor fits the bill. She also had a chat with Tabu about the project. The author has been specific in his sketch of Lata Mehra — her character is shown as the right mix of rebellious and subservient. As per the original text, it is mentioned that she is of dusky complexion. Mira wants to stay honest to the source material as much as possible.”

RECOMMENDED READ: TABU-JIMMY SHEIRGILL TOGETHER AGAIN IN LUV RANJAN’S NEXT WITH AJAY DEVGN

Seth’s novel has numerous characters and Nair is on the hunt for finding nearly 199 artistes to fill the roles for the eight-hour-long series. Her recent trip to the city was to cast for the principal character of Lata and Rupa Mehra. The two are the main protagonists of the novel as the story revolves around Rupa’s efforts to get her youngest daughter Lata married to a good catch. Dilip Shankar, Nandini Shrikent and Karan Mally are the casting directors for the BBC show and are supposed to finalize the cast by August so that the shooting of the Netflix series can commence later this year.