Huma Qureshi to play Tarla Dalal in biopic
Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi is all set to play the role of India’s first ever Home chef, Tarla Dalal. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, and Nitesh Tiwari, the epic food filler will be directed by Piyush Gupta. The shoot of the film has begun.
While talking about the late chef and her decision to make a film on Tarla’s life, producer Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari says, “Tarla’s story is a lot more than her being an iconic chef. It’s a story about a working mother who single handedly changed the face of vegetarian cooking in India and paved way for many such home cooks and start ups to aspire and achieve their dreams.”
Huma says, “Tarla Dalal reminds me of my childhood. My mom had a copy of her book in the kitchen and would often try many of her receipes for my school tiffin. I also clearly remember the time when I helped mom make Tarla’s homemade mango ice cream. This role has taken me back to those sweet childhood memories and I am very thankful to Ronnie, Ashwini and Nitesh for having faith in me to play this awe-inspiring character.”
Ronnie Screwvala says “Tarla Dalal transformed home cooking in India. Her story is a textbook example on entrepreneurship – how it is never too late to work towards your ambitions. Very excited and looking forward to collaborate again with Ashwiny and Nitesh.”
Adding to his experience, Nitesh Tiwari says “In a world full of several biopics on every epic personality, a biopic on Tarla Dalal was a long-awaited. Through her story, we want to encourage many such young entrepreneurs who desire to have their own businesses from the comfort of their homes.”
Piyush Gupta, who has been a writer on films like Dangal, Chhichhore, says “I am delighted to have the opportunity to illustrate Tarla Dalal’s life on screen. Being a foodie myself, the intention is to make this film a treat for all food lovers to gorge on.”
Tarla Dalal was an Indian food writer, chef, cookbook author, and host of cooking shows. She was the first Indian to have been awarded a Padmashree award in the culinary skills category in 2007. This is for the first time Bollywood will be depicting the life story of a chef on screen. The late chef, who was popular for her palatable recipes was every cook’s inspiration, and her cooking instructions are still present in every culinarian’s food dairy. Her “desi nuskhe” are still a topic of conversation in every Indian household, often given credit for refashioning vegetarian food in India.
Written by Piyush Gupta and Gautam Ved, produced by RSVP, and Earth Sky, ‘Tarla’ is all set to take you on a food excursion.
