Stephen Frears to direct series adaptation of The Anarchy, backed by wiip and Roy Kapur Films

Siddharth Roy Kapur headed series is an international co-production between US-based studio wiip and Indian production house Roy Kapur Films.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

April 23, 2025 - 8:14 PM IST

British filmmaker Stephen Frears, known for his filmography which includes titles like The Queen, Dangerous Liaisons, Philomena, Victoria and Abdul, My Beautiful Laundrette, The Grifters, High Fidelity, The Regime and A Very English Scandal, is all set to direct the adaptation of William Dalrymple’s critically acclaimed book The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company. The series is being mounted as an international co-production between US-based studio wiip and Indian production house Roy Kapur Films.

Stephen Frears to direct series adaptation of The Anarchy, backed by wiip and Roy Kapur Films

Set in the 18th century, the story of The Anarchy has striking relevance today, in a world where corporate giants possess the power to shape the destinies of entire nations. It is an exploration of the British East India Company’s commercial ambitions in India, which ultimately led to the takeover of an entire subcontinent.

The rights to William Dalrymple’s bestselling book were among the most sought-after book-to-TV deals in India, with Roy Kapur Films ultimately acquiring them. The show is being produced on a massive scale. Adapted for the screen by Walon Green, Amit Bhalla, and Lucas Jansen—the writers behind Hello Tomorrow! (Apple TV+)—The Anarchy will be shot across the UK and Asia.

The series finds new resonance today, as echoed by Stephen Frears himself, who said, “This is the most contemporary of themes: A ruthless businessman and his corporation seizing power, a group of oligarchs taking over a chunk of the world, asset-stripping, looting, manipulating the stock market, destroying whole economies for their profit. The East India Company stealing India in the 18th Century!”

Siddharth Roy Kapur, producer of films like Dangal, Barfi, Haider, Kai Po Che and Last Film Show said, “Stephen’s range as a filmmaker is simply unmatched. He has directed some of the most beloved films of the last four decades, including some of my personal favourites, and to have him come on board to helm this project is an absolute dream come true. Collaborating with our production partners at wiip has been an incredibly enriching experience. This is a story that demanded scale, depth, and ambition, and I am proud that we have brought an extraordinary team together to bring it to life for a global audience.”

Dalrymple’s book was a #1 bestseller in India, longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize, and named one of Barack Obama’s top 10 books of the year.

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