Nawazuddin Siddiqui will headline Ishan Sharma’s debut feature film, Kabootar. The India-France-Norway co-production is set in Old Delhi and will begin filming in early 2027.
Acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is set to lead Kabootar, the debut feature film of writer-director Ishan Sharma.
The upcoming project brings together filmmakers from India, France and Norway. Moreover, the story explores the unusual life of a street detective in Old Delhi.
Siddiqui will play Mehboob, a detective who secretly reads letters addressed to a Djinn to find potential clients.
However, his unusual search for work soon connects him with two strangers facing personal struggles.
Meanwhile, principal photography is scheduled to begin in Delhi in early 2027.
Kabootar Brings Together Three Countries
Kabootar is an international co-production involving India, France and Norway.
Nikhil Chaudhary of MDC Filmworks is producing the film.
Meanwhile, France’s Haiku Films and Norway’s Rein Film are joining the project.
Rohit Saxena will serve as co-producer on the Indian side.
Moreover, the collaboration brings together creative teams from different filmmaking backgrounds.
As a result, the project combines Indian storytelling with an international production approach.
What Is Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Kabootar About?
The story takes place in the historic surroundings of Old Delhi.
At its centre is Mehboob, a street detective with an unusual method of finding clients.
Instead of following conventional investigative methods, he secretly reads letters written to a Djinn.
However, his journey takes an unexpected turn when he meets two strangers.
One is Naoko, a Japanese tourist carrying memories of a painful past.
Meanwhile, Ruby is a young child searching for his parents.
Their encounters introduce emotional depth into Mehboob’s unusual world.
Old Delhi Plays an Important Role
Old Delhi is more than a filming location for Kabootar.
Its ageing buildings, narrow streets and rich history shape the film’s atmosphere.
Moreover, the city’s distinctive character adds depth to the narrative.
The filmmakers see the project as a tribute to Delhi.
Producer Nikhil Chaudhary described Kabootar as “a love letter to the city.”
Therefore, the team wanted an actor who could understand and reflect its spirit.
According to Chaudhary, Siddiqui possesses that connection.
Why Nawazuddin Siddiqui Was Chosen
Producer Nikhil Chaudhary believes Siddiqui is an ideal choice for the lead role.
He praised the actor’s extraordinary range.
Moreover, he highlighted Siddiqui’s contrasting performances in Gangs of Wasseypur and The Lunchbox.
These roles demonstrate his ability to portray very different characters.
Meanwhile, his international recognition adds strength to the project.
Several of his films have screened at Cannes.
He also received an International Emmy nomination for his performance in Serious Men.
As a result, the filmmakers believe his involvement will support the film’s international ambitions.
Ishan Sharma Makes His Feature Directorial Debut
Kabootar marks an important milestone for writer-director Ishan Sharma.
The project will be his first feature film.
Moreover, Sharma developed the script through a filmmaking workshop at the Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes.
The programme was formerly known as the Produire au Sud Workshop.
Meanwhile, the filmmaker has long admired Siddiqui’s performances.
Sharma described the actor as an inspiration for young writers and directors.
Therefore, working with Siddiqui represents a significant creative moment in his career.
Ishan Sharma Praises Nawazuddin’s Acting
Sharma believes Siddiqui has influenced an entire generation of filmmakers.
He said, “Nawaz has been an invisible collaborator to a generation of young writers and directors, myself included.”
Moreover, the director praised his ability to portray contrasting emotions.
He highlighted Siddiqui’s performances in Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa and The Lunchbox.
However, Sharma believes Kabootar will offer audiences something different.
He said, “‘Kabootar’ asks something of him that audiences haven’t seen before.”
As a result, the film promises a fresh acting challenge for Siddiqui.
Mehboob Is a Complex Character
Mehboob is not a conventional detective.
His unusual profession introduces humour and mystery into the story.
However, the character also carries emotional vulnerability.
Moreover, his personality combines contrasting qualities.
Casting director Dilip Shankar believes Siddiqui can portray these emotions convincingly.
Shankar, whose credits include Life of Pi and Monsoon Wedding, praised the actor’s versatility.
He explained that Mehboob requires mischief, anger, tenderness and grace.
Therefore, the role demands both emotional depth and expressive acting.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui Takes On a New Challenge
Siddiqui has built his career around unconventional characters.
His performances often explore complicated emotions and difficult circumstances.
Moreover, he has worked across independent films, mainstream cinema and streaming projects.
With Kabootar, he will portray a character unlike his familiar roles.
The story combines eccentric humour with emotional storytelling.
Meanwhile, Mehboob’s encounters with Naoko and Ruby introduce further complexity.
As a result, the film offers Siddiqui another opportunity to explore his acting range.
Nawazuddin’s International Recognition
Siddiqui has earned recognition through several acclaimed projects.
His notable films include Gangs of Wasseypur, The Lunchbox and Manto.
Moreover, these films have contributed to his international reputation.
He also gained wider recognition through Netflix’s Sacred Games.
Meanwhile, his performance in Serious Men earned an International Emmy nomination.
These achievements have strengthened his global profile.
Therefore, his association with Kabootar adds international visibility to the project.
Kabootar Gains Attention at Film Markets
Kabootar has already appeared at several international industry events.
The project was selected for the Tasveer Film Market in Seattle.
Moreover, it featured at Film Bazaar in Goa.
The event is organised by India’s National Film Development Corporation.
Meanwhile, the film also appeared in the NFDC lineup at the European Film Market in Berlin.
These showcases provide opportunities for international industry engagement.
As a result, the project is building connections ahead of production.
Producer to Present Kabootar in Singapore
Producer Nikhil Chaudhary is also scheduled to pitch Kabootar in Singapore.
The presentation will take place through the APN+ Track of the Asian Producers Network.
Moreover, the opportunity adds another international platform to the film’s development journey.
The project has already attracted industry attention through multiple market selections.
Meanwhile, the Singapore presentation will introduce the film to more industry professionals.
Therefore, the production continues to strengthen its international connections.
When Will Kabootar Begin Filming?
Principal photography for Kabootar is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
The production will take place in Delhi.
Moreover, the location will help capture the atmosphere central to the story.
The filmmakers are preparing for the next stage of production.
However, an official release date has not been announced.
Further casting and distribution details also remain undisclosed.
Therefore, audiences will need to wait for additional updates.
Why Kabootar Is an Interesting Upcoming Film
Several elements make Kabootar an intriguing project.
First, it introduces an unusual central character.
Moreover, the story combines mystery, humour and emotional conflict.
The Old Delhi setting adds a distinctive identity.
Meanwhile, the India-France-Norway collaboration gives the film an international dimension.
Ishan Sharma’s feature directorial debut also adds creative interest.
Together, these elements create an unusual foundation for a character-driven drama.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui Begins Another Creative Chapter
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Kabootar brings together an experienced actor and an emerging filmmaker.
The film follows Mehboob, a street detective who discovers potential clients through letters addressed to a Djinn.
Moreover, his encounters with Naoko and Ruby introduce emotional complexity.
With Old Delhi at its heart, the project aims to balance humour and human drama.
Meanwhile, its international production team reflects the film’s wider ambitions.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
Ultimately, Kabootar offers Siddiqui another opportunity to explore a distinctive and emotionally layered character.
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About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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