Bridge7, a production company founded by former Netflix executive Swati Shetty and ex-CAA agent Grant Kessman, has secured the film sequel and television rights to the acclaimed 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. The deal was made with UK-based Celador, the production company behind the Oscar-winning movie.
The rights to both the sequel and television adaptation were officially acquired from Celador, which originally produced and financed the film in collaboration with the UK’s Film4. The film, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy, is based on the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup. It tells the story of Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old who, despite growing up in the slums of Mumbai, uses his life experiences to answer questions on a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire quiz show.
While details of the potential sequel remain under wraps, it is set to explore the “next chapter of Jamal’s journey.” The return of key cast members, including Dev Patel, who played Jamal, and Freida Pinto, who starred as the female lead, has not been confirmed.
The original Slumdog Millionaire was a global sensation, grossing over $377 million worldwide and winning eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Boyle. The film also received seven BAFTA Awards and four Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. Composer A.R. Rahman earned two Oscars for his score, including the hit song Jai Ho, which became an international anthem.
In a joint statement, Shetty and Kessman shared their excitement about the project: “Some stories stay with us long after the credits roll, and Slumdog Millionaire is undoubtedly one of them. Its narrative is universal, bridging cultural and geographical boundaries. It’s a story that resonates deeply and embodies the kind of narratives we are passionate about—ones that connect entertainment with profound human experiences.”
The acquisition marks the first major announcement for Bridge7, a company Shetty and Kessman co-founded in June 2023.
Paul Smith CBE, Chairman of Celador International, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “I’m delighted that Swati and Grant have chosen Slumdog Millionaire as the first project for their new company. We look forward to working with Bridge7 as Jamal’s journey continues to unfold on screen.”
Shetty brings over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, with executive roles at Netflix, Imagine Entertainment, and Disney India. She most recently produced the 2022 Netflix romantic comedy Wedding Season and the 2015 Sundance winner Umrika. Kessman spent two decades at CAA as a literary agent in the television department, where he facilitated a number of high-profile TV projects, including Monsieur Spade and Paris Has Fallen.
The deal was negotiated by Paytre Topp in Los Angeles and Nick Miller from Simon Muirhead Burton in the UK on behalf of Bridge7. Celador International was represented by Jessica Hudson and James Kay from Sheridans in the UK.
The announcement has set the stage for an exciting new chapter for Slumdog Millionaire, which continues to capture the hearts of audiences around the world.
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